Our tummy tuck surgery is designed to last a lifetime. It’s an investment in your health and well-being, so you should be able to enjoy its benefits for many years. The healing process is different for every patient. In general, we recommend that you don’t engage in strenuous activities for at least six weeks after your operation. We also recommend that you avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for at least two weeks after surgery.
Most patients do not need to drain any fluid from their incisions during this time period, but if you do experience excess drainage or swelling around your incision sites, we recommend draining it with a sterile needle or syringe. The best way to avoid complications from swelling is by remaining hydrated throughout the recovery process—drink plenty of water!
Read on to learn more ABOUT How Long Do You Drain After Tummy Tuck
How Long Do You Drain After Tummy Tuck
After tummy tuck surgery, you may be anxious to resume your exercise routine, shop for new clothes, and start showing off your gorgeous figure! However, it is important to allow your body plenty of time to rest, heal, and recover after a tummy tuck. Use this helpful information from the knowledgeable team at Motakef Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, led by award-winning Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef, to better understand what to expect during your tummy tuck recovery, including how long you may have drains in place and when you can get back to your normal daily activities.
What does a tummy tuck do?
Also known as abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is a highly beneficial cosmetic procedure that is used to dramatically improve the abdominal shape, tone, and contour through a variety of techniques, including fat removal, skin excision, and others. While virtually any man or woman in good health who is at a stable, healthy weight but has concerns about loose skin or stubborn fat can benefit from tummy tuck surgery. It is most often performed on patients who have had children, experienced significant weight loss, or developed unwanted physical changes due to aging. Common concerns that can be addressed or corrected during a tummy tuck in Anaheim Hills, CA include:
- Loose, hanging skin
- Stubborn pockets of fat
- Stomach pooch or pouch
- Diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles)
- Hernia
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits comfortably around the waist
During your initial consultation, Dr. Motakef will carefully evaluate and discuss your concerns and explain your surgical options in great detail to help you better understand how a tummy tuck may benefit you. Oftentimes, a combination procedure – such as a mommy makeover or tummy tuck with breast lift – may yield the most appealing and longest-lasting results.
How does tummy tuck work?
Abdominoplasty is performed with the patient under general anesthesia and usually takes about 2 – 3 hours, depending on if any additional procedures are being performed. Dr. Motakef will place a thin incision low on the abdomen – just above the pubic area – which allows the resulting scar to be hidden beneath clothing and swimsuits. The precise length of the incision will depend on how much skin needs to be removed, the patient’s anatomy, and other factors. Dr. Motakef will then remove unwanted pockets of fat using liposuction, tighten and reinforce the abdominal muscles, and address any other concerns. Loose, excess skin will then be removed, and the remaining skin will be draped tightly over the abdomen for a firm, taut, smooth appearance. The incision will be closed, and surgical drains may be placed to help prevent fluid buildup and the development of a seroma. The patient will then be taken to the recovery room for a brief period and ultimately discharged into the care of a trusted loved one to continue their recovery at home.
When are tummy tuck drains removed?
Dr. Motakef will carefully monitor your progress during post-operative appointments following tummy tuck surgery. If you had drains placed as part of your procedure, Dr. Motakef will evaluate the fluid collection and remove the drains once fluid output has decreased to an appropriate level. Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks. Adhering to aftercare instructions, including minimizing your physical activity (with the exception of light walking to promote circulation), eating a healthy diet, and wearing compressive garments to reduce swelling can help to make healing more efficient so that your drains can be removed as soon as possible.
Even after the drains are removed, and patients return to work, which may take up to 2 – 4 weeks, strenuous physical activity will still be off-limits. Patients should notice a visible difference in their figure almost immediately after surgery, though the full results can take several months to develop as the swelling continues to subside.
How Long Should I Wear Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?
After your tummy tuck, it will take some weeks before your swelling subsides and your new, slimmer tummy is revealed. In our more than 20 years of experience, we have found that everyone’s recovery journey is different.
We always recommend wearing your body shapers 24/7 for at least 8 weeks post surgery. Some surgeons require much less. But wearing compression for longer and reducing the size if necessary along the way will certainly do no harm, and we have seen many of our clients continue reducing in size for 12 months
Should I Wear Stage 1 or Stage 2 Shapewear?
The answer to this question depends on:
- what your health professional prescribes
- what procedure you are having
Generally, we would always wear Stage 1 postoperative medical grade compression after any invasive procedure for at least the first four weeks following surgery. This is because pulling up and down garments to put them on can be painful if there are no zip or hook and eye closures. Also, an open or opening crotch is a blessing in the weeks following surgery.
After about the fourth week, it is perfectly fine to move onto Stage 2 body shapers as your body will have healed substantially and your pain will have subsided.
What Happens if I Don’t Wear Compression Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery will almost always involve internal and external stitches. As we use our abdomen in almost every movement of our body, it is necessary to protect these stitches and not put undue pressure on them. Wearing a binder or body shaper also reminds you that you need to be careful and not overuse the affected muscles during recovery.
Surgical compression garments also put pressure on the wound, helping to keep it protected from the environment and keep the scars flat as they heal.
Medical-grade garments reduce swelling as they help drain excess fluid through the lymphatic system.
Lastly, but certainly not least, a properly fitted garment will keep you feeling secure and less vulnerable after surgery.
Is It OK to Wear Shapewear Every Day?
It is totally fine to wear your shapewear and body shapers every day. Many women would feel underdressed if they didn’t first contour their body with undergarments. Even our grandmothers and those before them wore corsets and girdles to hide any imperfections. Just be careful not to wear anything that is so tight that it restricts your breathing or causes major creasing on your body.
Stage 2 compression garment tummy tuck
We often get asked the question: “Do I need a Stage 1 or a Stage 2 compression garment?”
Bodyment Australia has the complete industry breakdown. Pioneers on medical Stage 1 & Stage 2 Compression
What is the difference between a Stage 1 and a Stage 2 compression garment?
Bodyment Australia – Frequently asked questions
Bodyment has unrivalled industry experience in Medical Compression and Shape wear Compression.
Confused as to why you should wear compression garments at all?
Stage 1 or Stage 2 compression garments can be confusing and sometimes misunderstood.
In order to answer the first question of which compression stage to buy, you need to understand why wearing surgical grade compression garments is always professionally recommended after a procedure. And what does a compression garment really do?
No matter what type of surgical procedure you have, oedema (swelling) is likely to occur. After any surgery, the chances are that swelling will follow.
While perfectly normal, post-op swelling can initially obscure results after the most expertly performed plastic surgery. So, don’t panic if your results aren’t exactly as you expected at first.
Aboutanos Plastic Surgery
“Edema” is the medical term for swelling. Body parts swell from injury or inflammation. It can affect a small area or the entire body.
WebMD.com – by James Beckerman, MD, FACC
This is simply because whenever there is “trauma” to the body, in this case as a result of a surgery, the body sends more blood flowing to the site to promote healing.
Why is medical compression important for post operative results?
Increased blood pumping to the area means more fluid building up in the surrounding tissue.
Another reason why the body can swell after a surgical procedure, is the increased fluids added to the body during general anaesthesia.
A surgical grade compression garment helps control the swelling by reducing the amount of fluid build-up in the surrounding area and helping the increased fluid to drain out of the body via the lymphatic system.
Bodyment Australia – Stage 1 Medical Compression Garment Industry Term
Trauma to the body also results in bruising. Blood capillaries can get damaged during the procedure and cause small amounts of blood to be trapped just under the skin.
By compressing the area, the surgical garment helps push this blood out of the body through the lymphatic system.
Surgical incisions can turn into raised, lumpy and sometimes discoloured scars. By adding compression to the incision, the surgical grade garment can help flatten the scar and prevent lumps from forming.
While your compression garment aids with keep incisions flat during the initial weeks of recovery, longer term benefits are achieved by using scar therapy. Our BodySil ScarTape and BodySil Silicone Scar Gel should be used once your wounds have healed. These scar treatments can even achieve excellent results on old scars.
Our increasingly popular BodyAid garments provide targeted compression where it is needed most after surgery, and world leading Marena garments are made from anti-bacterial fabric that helps prevent infection and keeps the garment (and you) fresher for longer.