Tummy tuck surgery is a procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure can also be used to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin, known as a circumferential abdominoplasty. After a tummy tuck, it’s common for patients to have swelling and bruising around their incisions, which usually subsides within two weeks. Optimal results can take up to two months to appear.
Swelling may persist for several weeks after your surgery, but it should begin to subside within two weeks as fluid is reabsorbed by your body. Bruising is also likely after tummy tuck surgery, especially if you have dark skin tones—it typically resolves over time as well. However, some patients experience persistent swelling or bruising after their tummy tuck that does not improve with time. If you suspect you have an infection or another complication related to your tummy tuck, consult with your doctor immediately so they can provide treatment if necessary
Read on to learn more about HowLong After Tummy Tuck To See Results, Exercise After Breast Augmentation and Exercise After a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
HowLong After Tummy Tuck To See Results
A tummy tuck surgery—otherwise known as abdominoplasty—is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. While the surgery is generally quick, recovery can take up to several months, especially when it comes to scar prevention and management. It can be frustrating not being able to get back on your feet right away, but it’s important to give your body enough time to heal properly. If you’re considering having a tummy tuck or if you’ve just begun the recovery journey, we’ve gathered the best advice for post-op tummy tuck care to help you see your way to a smoother and sleeker you.
In this post, we’ll provide a week-by-week look at the tummy tuck recovery process so you know what to expect. From possible side effects to post-op care and scar prevention tips, you’ll be able to bounce back to normal looking better than ever. Avoid post tummy tuck scars and achieve the firm, attractive abdomen you deserve by following this guide for a speedy recovery.
Post-Op Recovery Considerations
While the results can be spectacular, a tummy tuck is a major surgery that requires time off to heal. In general, most individuals are ready to return to work and begin exercising again six to eight weeks after their tummy tuck. However, there are some factors that may impact your recovery, including timeline and tummy tuck procedure. Let’s take a close look at a few considerations to keep in mind as you enter the tummy tuck post-recovery phase.
Recovery Times Vary
All bodies are different, so recovery times will vary from person to person. Ultimately, how long it takes for your body to heal after a tummy tuck depends on your age, overall health, post-op care routine, and type of tummy tuck.
The Type of Tummy Tuck Matters
Regardless if you get a full tummy tuck or mini abdominoplasty, you’ll need to rest and heal for a few weeks. However, the time frame depends on the type of tummy tuck you receive. This is because different procedures will remove more skin, resulting in a larger incision, or affect the abdominal muscles in the area. For example, a full abdominoplasty requires the belly button to be repositioned, while a mini tummy tuck does not. As a result, there’s often a difference in recovery time.
Normal Post-Op Symptoms
There are numerous symptoms that’ll arise from your tummy tuck surgery. However, most of them are nothing to be alarmed about. This includes:
Tightness and Stiffness in Abdomen
Experiencing tightness and stiffness in the abdomen after a tummy tuck is normal. As the skin and tissue in the area begins to heal, this feeling will gradually decrease. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication if it’s too uncomfortable or painful.
Bruising, Swelling and Redness
It’s expected that your abdomen will bruise, swell, and become red where incisions were made. This can become more noticeable if you have drainage tubes to decrease the accumulation of fluid. While your skin may not look the best during this time, have patience since your abdomen will typically look worse before it can get better.
Skin Firmness, Hypersensitivity or Lack of Sensitivity
During the recovery process, you may experience skin firmness, hypersensitivity, or a lack of sensitivity in the abdomen. This is because the tummy tuck procedure will reposition various abdominal nerves and muscles in order to contour the area and reach your desired results. In rare cases, this may also cause a loss of sensation in your upper thighs.
Shiny Skin or Any Itchy Feeling
When a scab begins to form on the incision, you may start to feel itchy, ranging from mild to severe discomfort. Despite the incision site being itchy, avoid scratching the area. Scratching the scab that’s forming can open the wound and delay the healing process, resulting in a much more visible scar and even infection. As these areas swell, the skin may also appear shiny.
Asymmetry: Both Sides of Your Body Heal Differently
One side of your abdomen may look and even feel different than the other as it heals. Rest assured that this is normal.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
As with any surgery, there’s a risk of infection, which is why it’s so important to follow the post-surgical guidelines outlined by your doctor. Below is a list of post-op symptoms that are not normal and should be examined by a doctor right away. Use it to identity signs of infection as you recover from your tummy tuck at home:
- Fever and chills
- Drainage of pus
- Foul smelling incisions
- Excessive redness and soreness
- Site is hot to touch
If you’re worried about any tummy tuck complications, including infection and improper healing, speak to your doctor about ways to minimize these risks.
What to Expect Day 1 Post-Op
Post-surgery, many patients can go home so that they can rest more comfortably. Remember to plan ahead and arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home, as movements will be limited during this time.
Possible Side Effects
After the anesthesia wears off, you’ll likely feel drowsy since this process can take a few hours. You may also experience the following side effects:
- Pain that may be either dull or throbbing
- Swelling in the abdominal area
- Sensations of itching, tingling, or numbness
- Feelings of grogginess or nausea
Tips for Care Day 1 Post-Op
Here are a few tips to help you rest and take care of yourself the first night at your home post-surgery:
- Have a loved one stay with you: Ask a loved one to stay at your home to provide tummy tuck post-op care, as you’ll need around-the-clock assistance the first two days after surgery for help with dressing, lifting, and other small tasks.
- Limit your movements: With such a fresh injury, you must restrict your movement as much as possible to avoid the risk of tearing your wound. Avoid heavy lifting or partaking in activities that put a lot of strain on your abdomen. Any movement you make should be only goal-oriented, such as using the restroom.
- Don’t shower: As much as you may want to shower after your surgery, you won’t be able to because your wound may reopen. Instead, you’ll have to bathe with a sponge or body wipes and wash your hair with dry shampoo.
- Have the necessary post-op supplies: Having the necessary tummy tuck post-op supplies on hand is essential to alleviating and managing your pain. This includes gauze pads, ice packs, compression garments, and medication. Prescription-strength and over-the-counter pain medications can help reduce tenderness, while an ice compress may reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Use medication as prescribed: Follow your doctor’s directions regarding any prescribed antibiotics and/or anticoagulants. Misuse of medication can result in it not working properly and delaying your healing.
- Rest: It’s best to remain immobile in bed as soon as you get home. Make sure to keep your head elevated with multiple pillows propped underneath your knees. An elevated torso helps expand the lungs, decreasing the likelihood of respiratory issues caused by post-op tummy tuck complications. It also relaxes the skin on your belly, alleviating pain and improving blood flow.
- Use Compression to Your Advantage: Wearing compression garments at all times is one of the most important things you can do during your recovery time. Purchase one in advance and include it within your essential tummy tuck post-op supplies.
- Drain Care: After your surgery, your medical team will place small, thin tubes into your incision to drain excess fluid that builds up. These drains are connected to small bulbs, where fluid collects. You’ll have to clean these bulbs frequently to prevent fluid from building up.
Be sure to follow your drain pump instructions diligently, especially during the first days after surgery. Fluid accumulates rapidly within the beginning phase of your post-op tummy tuck recovery, so empty your drain pump whenever it’s full, and be sure to record the amount of fluid each time.
Exercise After Breast Augmentation
The main concern with working out after a breast augmentation is overusing the pectoral muscles. The vast majority of breast implants are placed underneath the pectoralis major muscle. Thus, the muscle will need to heal from surgery before resistance training. The reason for this is the scar tissue, or capsule, that lines the pocket that holds the implant. This begins forming immediately after surgery. Every woman who has breast implants has capsules lining the pockets. This is simply our body’s way of protecting us against an object (the implant) that it doesn’t recognize. The goal is to allow the capsule to form in such a way that it is undetectable. Therefore, during the initial four weeks after surgery, breast augmentation patients should avoid overusing their pectoral muscles.
Typically, this means lifting nothing heavier than 10 pounds. No heavy pulling or pushing of objects such as car doors or even heavy purses, and no weight training. This also includes any weight lifting exercises that involve the chest and back (and to some degree, the arms). Patients should avoid push-ups, pull-ups, dips, certain yoga poses and Pilates moves that rely on balancing body weight with the arms, swinging a golf club or tennis racquet, and using certain exercise equipment such as an elliptical trainer with arm attachments.
In the first 4 weeks after surgery, Dr. Williams recommends lower body exercise. Any type of leg exercise including lunges, leg presses, and squats (without weights) are fine. Light to moderate cardio can also be performed, such as walking, stationary cycling, and the elliptical (without the arms). Strive for no bouncing motion like running or jumping. Patients may also carefully complete core strengthening exercises. These types of exercises can usually begin at 2 weeks post-op.
At the four-week post-op visit, the patient’s progress will be reviewed. If all is progressing normal in the recovery, the patient may slowly begin arm workouts followed by chest exercises.
Eventually, every patient regains total strength of their pec muscles and are able to perform any exercise they desire. Dr. Williams has operated upon competitive fitness models and bodybuilders who continue to compete and highlight their pecs after breast augmentation surgery.
Exercise After Liposuction
The first two weeks following liposuction are like any other procedure and the same restrictions as outlined in the general “Exercise After Plastic Surgery” instructions are applied.
By the third week, liposuction patients will be instructed to begin light cardio workouts, such as walking or stationary cycling. During the first four weeks after liposuction, all patients are required to wear a compression garment day and night to help minimize swelling and help guide skin retraction. This garment (or a sport specific garment) should also be worn during exercise. After two weeks of light cardio, the patient may resume more demanding workouts to include weight lifting and running.
The amount of exercise that can be done at four weeks depends on the amount of liposuction performed and how many areas of the body were treated. Also, it’s important to understand that as one exercises after liposuction, the treated areas will experience prolonged swelling, sometimes for up to six months after surgery. This does not jeopardize the results, but it may prolong the final result. However, most patients are willing to wait for the final result if it means they can get back to their workout routine faster.
Exercise After a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The recovery period following a tummy tuck is longer than that of just liposuction. Because of the muscle repair that is involved in a tummy tuck, the body needs a longer time to heal before becoming stressed by any kind of workout.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of sports and training routines rely on activating the core musculature, which includes the rectus muscles. Therefore, patients are instructed to wait four weeks before beginning light cardio exercise. When patients begin this exercise at four weeks following surgery, they have to start very slowly and advance to a more vigorous routine over a span of four additional weeks, which will allow adequate time for the muscles to heal. Once the patient is able to perform moderate cardio exercises, they will be released for light resistance training and then finally core work. It may take 8 – 10 weeks before a patient may perform sit-ups, crunches, or twisting movements. As with liposuction, a compression garment is recommended during the first 6 – 8 weeks following surgery to limit swelling and guide skin retraction. Also, patients will experience prolonged swelling around the waist and above the scar the more they work out in the early post-operative period. This is not harmful; it simply prolongs the final result.
Exercise After Facial Rejuvenation (Facelift, Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift)
Following a facial rejuvenation procedure, patients are recommended to refrain from any activity that will increase their heart rate and/or blood pressure for at least four weeks. This is due to the fact that these procedures involve operating beneath the skin of the face, eyelids, or brow where there are hundreds of tiny blood vessels that can easily bleed after surgery with just a slight increase in blood pressure. If this were to happen, a hematoma, or a collection of blood, could form under the skin resulting in significant complications, including a return trip to the operating room. After the first four weeks, the majority of patients can resume light cardio (walking or slow stationary cycling) and gradually work up to a more vigorous workout over the subsequent two weeks. By six weeks after surgery, most patients can return to various activities, such as hiking, golf, or yoga.
Exercise After A Breast Lift
While it is important for patients to get back to exercise and an active lifestyle following breast lift surgery, it is also extremely important for the body to be given the necessary time to heal. Dr. Williams has experience in working with athletes following surgical procedures and will work with patients to provide specific guidelines that fit their needs. Some general guidelines following a breast lift:
Lower body exercise is recommended and encouraged following a breast lift. Body weight squats and lunges and leg presses are allowed, and light cardio using a stationary bicycle or an elliptical without the arm attachments are good choices in the weeks immediately following surgery. Any type of exercise that involves bouncing type motions or the upper body area should be avoided until the four-week post-op visit, at which time Dr. Williams will evaluate the patient and determine the most appropriate exercise program.
Exercise After a Breast Reduction
Following a breast reduction, many patients are anxious to exercise, as they may have had limitations in exercise due to their previous breast size. While Dr. Williams encourages physical fitness, it’s crucial to let the body sufficiently heal following a breast reduction procedure. While Dr. Williams will work with each patient on an individual basis to determine what their exercise capacity may be following a breast reduction surgery, there are some general guidelines:
Lower body exercise is encouraged in the immediate weeks following a breast reduction surgery. While weights should not be used, body weight lunges and squats are perfectly fine. Low impact cardio is encouraged, and walking, stationary bicycling, and using an elliptical without the arm attachments are all good choices. Any type of exercise involving the upper body should be avoided until clearance from the surgeon. At the four-week post-op appointment, Dr. Williams will evaluate the healing progress and determine if the patient is ready to begin exercise that involves their upper body.