The tummy tuck procedure is essentially a combination of liposuction and skin excision. During the procedure, excess fat and skin are removed from around your midsection and then the abdominal muscles are tightened using sutures and anchors placed under the skin. The goal is to give you a flatter stomach with fewer bulges and more definition, as well as making sure that your body looks proportional.
Sleeping on your side after surgery can help reduce swelling and discomfort by taking pressure off of the areas where sutures have been placed; however, it’s important not to sleep on your stomach for at least six weeks after surgery because this can cause complications like bleeding or infection.
Read on to learn more about Can I Sleep On My Side After A Tummy Tuck
Can I Sleep On My Side After A Tummy Tuck
As you prepare for your tummy tuck recovery, you may begin stocking up on healthy snacks and adding new TV shows to your watchlist. One thing you may not be thinking about is how you’ll need to adjust your sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery. However, sleeping correctly after a tummy tuck is essential for proper healing and a successful outcome. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Mesbahi and the expert team at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA take great care to ensure patients are well-educated and properly equipped for a comfortable and efficient tummy tuck recovery. Learn more about what you can expect after tummy tuck surgery here, including how, why, and for how long you may need to sleep in a different position.
What does a tummy tuck do?
Formally known as abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is an incredibly transformative body contouring procedure that aims to sculpt a flatter, firmer, slimmer abdomen primarily through excess skin removal and skin tightening. Liposuction is commonly performed in conjunction with tummy tuck skin removal in order to remove stubborn fat and produce an even more pleasing result. Concerns that can often be improved or corrected with tummy tuck surgery include:
- Extra skin after weight loss or pregnancy
- Loose skin
- Stomach pooch or pouch
- Diastasis recti
- Hernia
- Stubborn abdominal fat
How does a tummy tuck work?
During Washington, D.C. tummy tuck surgery, which is performed using general anesthesia, Dr. Mesbahi will place a strategic incision on the lower abdomen, just above the pubic line. The length of the incision will vary based on whether the patient is undergoing a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck, which depends on how much skin needs to be removed. Through this incision, Dr. Mesbahi is able to tighten and reinforce the abdominal fascia (muscles), remove unwanted fat, and trim excess skin. At the conclusion of the case, the remaining skin is pulled taut over the newly sculpted abdominal contour and secured with sutures.
How long is tummy tuck recovery?
The details of tummy tuck recovery may vary somewhat depending on the patient’s natural healing process, activity level, whether any additional procedures were performed, and other factors. Generally speaking, however, most patients can expect to be able to return to work and light activities about 2 – 3 weeks after tummy tuck surgery. Exercise, heavy lifting, and other strenuous physical activities may be off-limits for up to 6 – 8 weeks or longer. Throughout your tummy tuck recovery, Dr. Mesbahi will closely monitor your healing progress and let you know when it is safe and appropriate to resume all of your normal routines.
It is important to keep in mind that tummy tuck is typically a fairly extensive procedure and requires patience and commitment during the postoperative period. The first week is usually characterized by bruising, swelling, and discomfort, though these symptoms should greatly improve after about 10 – 14 days. Following your surgeon’s tummy tuck aftercare guidelines is essential for the quickest and most comfortable recovery possible.
Can I sleep on my side after tummy tuck?
In addition to eating a healthy diet and restricting certain physical activities, sleeping properly is an important part of tummy tuck recovery. The best sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery is on your back with your upper body elevated to create a slight bend or angle. Using pillows or sleeping in a recliner is ideal to achieve this position. This helps to take any pressure or strain off of your incision and reduces the risk of postoperative complication. If you are typically a stomach or side-sleeper, the thought of sleeping on your back at an angle may sound less than ideal. However, most patients find that the position to be naturally more comfortable during tummy tuck recovery.
What if I roll on my stomach while I’m sleeping after tummy tuck?
Because you should be sleeping on your back with your upper body elevated, it is less likely that you will roll to your stomach than if you were sleeping flat on your back. However, patients are encouraged to use extra pillows or rolled-up towels around their sides to create a nest-like structure that prevents tossing and turning. Sleeping in a recliner is also a fantastic solution for maintaining an appropriate sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery.
When can I sleep on my stomach after tummy tuck?
Depending on the nature and extent of your procedure, you may need to continue sleeping on your back at a bent angle for about 3 – 6 weeks or longer. In some cases, patients who undergo a mini tummy tuck or less extensive procedure may be able to return to stomach-sleeping earlier. However, it is important to follow Dr. Mesbahi’s postoperative guidelines closely to avoid possible complications or delayed healing. During your tummy tuck follow-up appointments, Dr. Mesbahi will evaluate your progress and let you know when it is safe to sleep on your stomach again.
Don’t rush your Washington, D.C. tummy tuck recovery; the results will be worth it!
No one likes the idea of downtime after surgery, but the recovery period is necessary for ensuring complete healing and a gorgeous result. In the case of tummy tuck surgery, the vast majority of patients agree that their stunning, slim, sexy new look is well worth the downtime! To learn more about the exciting possibilities of tummy tuck in Washington, D.C., call the knowledgeable team at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA to schedule your private consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon and transformation expert Dr. Alex Mesbahi today!
Weight loss after mini tummy tuck
Weight loss after mini tummy tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a small procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia. This procedure is also known as an abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck. The purpose of this surgery is to improve the contour of your abdomen by removing excess skin and fat while tightening the muscles of your lower abdomen, waist and back. After having this procedure, you will still need to maintain good health habits and a healthy lifestyle in order to achieve the best results possible.
Weight loss after mini tummy tuck
In order to achieve optimal results from your mini tummy tuck, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight before, during and after your procedure. When patients gain weight after their surgery, it can stretch out their skin and make it more difficult for them to get the results they want from their surgery. In order to avoid this problem, it is recommended that you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly before having your procedure done so that you can lose as much weight as possible before going under the knife.
Weight loss after mini tummy tuck
The weight loss after a mini tummy tuck is based on the amount of skin removed, and the amount of fat removed. The skin will not stretch much, so if you had a lot of excess skin, you may need to lose some weight. Also, if you did not have enough fat removed, your body will still have fat in that area and it will be difficult to see the results of your surgery.
Therefore I recommend that my patients lose approximately 10% bodyweight prior to surgery, but this is only an approximation as everyone is different in their ability to heal and how much fat they carry.
I am a surgeon and I do a lot of tummy tuck surgeries. Mini-tummy tucks are performed to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The surgery is performed through incisions made in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic hairline. A small amount of skin is removed at the waistline and some skin is also removed from each side of the lower abdomen. The remaining skin is then tightened and the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches or staples.
After surgery, you will wear a surgical garment over your incisions for five days to help with swelling, promote healing and help keep your scar as flat as possible. You may also have drains placed in your wounds to help drain any fluids that accumulate after surgery. These drains will be removed by your doctor at a follow-up appointment two weeks after surgery.
You should expect some bruising and swelling after surgery, but these should subside within two weeks after surgery. You will likely experience some discomfort during this time but pain medication can help relieve it if needed. You may also have some numbness around your incision sites for several months following surgery (this numbness may extend down into your groin area). This numbness should resolve itself eventually
Weight loss after a mini tummy tuck is usually not a problem, however if you have a lot of skin that has been removed then you may find that your skin is stretched out and does not look as nice as it did before.
I would recommend that you wait at least 6 months after surgery before trying to lose weight. After 6 months your body will have healed and you will see your results better.
If you are concerned about losing weight after surgery I would ask your surgeon. They may have suggestions for you.
The most common reason for weight gain after a mini tummy tuck is that your body has not fully healed yet. You may have some swelling or fluid retention, but this is temporary and will go away within a few weeks. If you have not lost any weight, then it is possible that you have added fat to your new tummy tuck scar. If this is the case, then it should go away as your body continues its healing process.
Another possibility is that you are retaining fluid from the surgery and this will cause swelling and bloating in your abdomen. This can make it appear like there is more fat in the area than there actually is.
If it does not go away with time, then you may need another procedure called liposuction to remove excess fat from your abdomen. This can be done with ultrasound-guided liposuction or traditional liposuction (injected with tumescent solution).