Are you considering getting a tummy tuck? Or have you recently undergone the procedure and are curious about what to expect during the recovery process? A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, resulting in a smoother, firmer midsection. While the results can be transformative, the recovery process is a crucial part of the procedure, and it’s essential to know what to expect to ensure a successful outcome. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect six weeks after a tummy tuck, including common physical and emotional changes, tips for managing discomfort, and what you can do to help facilitate your recovery.
Are you looking for the best tummy tuck surgeon in Miami? Here’s what you need to know. First of all, not all tummy tuck surgeons are created equal. That’s why it’s important to do your research before choosing the right doctor for your procedure. The first step is finding out if they have any certifications or experience performing tummy tucks (you can check this on their website). The next thing you’ll want to know is how many procedures they’ve done and what their results looked like. The last thing you’ll want to find out is whether or not they have any reviews from patients who have had similar procedures done by that same doctor.
Read on to learn more about 6 weeks post tummy tuck, How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Tummy Tuck Surgery?
6 Weeks Post Tummy Tuck
“Day one is generally a blur as the anesthesia wears off,” says Dr. John L. Burns Jr., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas. “Most patients sleep a lot.” Once the grogginess fades, you should feel well enough to tackle basic self-care tasks (including emptying drains) and take short, supervised walks, which “help to reduce swelling, avoid constipation, and lower the chance of developing blood clots and/or pneumonia,” says Dr. Camille Cash, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston. It’s important to walk on day one, adds Dr. Burns Jr.
Your abdomen will be moderately tender, swollen, and possibly bruised. “There’s some pain at the incision and liposuction sites as well as abdominal tightness from the garments and rectus plication [or muscle repair],” notes Dr. Burns Jr. Many surgeons inject a long-acting anesthetic called Exparel into the abdominal wall during surgery. “This significantly helps to reduce the initial discomfort that patients ordinarily feel after surgery when the effects of the general anesthesia wear off,” explains Dr. Umbareen Mahmood, a New York City board-certified plastic surgeon. The injectable curbs pain for about 72 hours, which means you may actually have less discomfort on day one than you do on day three.
“Low-grade fever is common due to the anesthesia,” says Dr. Burns Jr. “You’ll be given a device called an incentive spirometer to prevent this and help expand your lungs after surgery.”
Your incision will feel tight and numb in spots and will be covered in Steri-Strips and adhesive (these will gradually loosen and fall away over the course of several weeks). You’ll walk slightly hunched over (for about a week) and will be wearing surgical garments 24/7, shedding them only to shower, for the first six weeks post-op, notes Dr. Mahmood. (While they can be tricky to get on and off, surgeons say most patients actually appreciate how supported they feel with them on.) For the first week after surgery, your doctor will want you sleeping on your back, your head elevated, and pillows propped under your knees, to reduce tension on your incision.
Constipation is common, due to the limited activity, pain pills, and dehydration that come with recovery, but you can offset it by drinking plenty of water, walking as much as your surgeon suggests, upping your fiber intake, and taking a stool softener as prescribed.
In the early going, we should note, it’s normal to feel all the feelings. According to Dr. Burns Jr., the first few days post-op can be marked by a mix of euphoria, fear, and exhaustion. “Some patients question, ‘Why did I do this to myself?’” adds Dr. Cash. Others worry about their final result or have anxiety around activity restrictions or sleep changes, Dr. Mahmood tells us. Many feel guilty for spending money on themselves or for not being able to meet the ever-present demands of family and work. While any cosmetic surgery can trigger the blues, “with a tummy tuck, they’re more common in the first week, because it’s hard to manage the drains, the compression garments, and medications,” notes Dr. Farah Naz Khan, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas. “Patients do much better if they prepare ahead of time for a caretaker and supplies to assist with the recovery process.”
As results slowly come into focus and patients begin to realize that the surgery was worth it, worry gives way to relief. “I’ve never had a patient need professional help [coping with the blues],” says Dr. Khan, “but if someone has a baseline level of depression or anxiety preoperatively, I do recommend that they follow up with their therapist in the immediate post-op period.”
After a tummy tuck, you may notice that your stomach is a little more tender than you would like. While many of the post-op expectations that you have might be more positive in nature, it’s important to remember that there are some things that you can do to make the recovery process easier on yourself. To help you out with this, our team has put together a list of some tips to follow after your tummy tuck.
- Stay Away From The Kitchen For A While
For the first few weeks after your tummy tuck, it’s very important that you keep away from anything related to cooking or the kitchen. For example, scrubbing pots and pans will be a good bit more strenuous than you want to deal with at this time. This is because your body will be healing itself and using up all of the resources it has available in order to do so. You don’t want to be taking away any of those resources by engaging in activities that could potentially cause injuries or slow down your healing process.
- Keep Your Stomach Elevated
You should also try to keep your stomach elevated as much as possible. This will help lessen the swelling that occurs post-surgery, as well as ease some of the pain
Read on to learn more about 6 weeks post tummy tuck
How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Tummy Tuck Surgery?
How long does it take to recover from a tummy tuck procedure? Contrary to ommon belief, tummy tuck recovery time is not nearly as long and painful as it once was. New surgical and treatment techniques allow patients to recover more quickly and with relatively minimal discomfort.
How Long Does It Take to Heal from a Tummy Tuck?
There are a variety of abdominoplasty and tummy tuck procedures available, and each one has a slightly different recovery time. Your treatment plan is determined by the level of correction needed to meet the desired end results.
Most patients return to work after a tummy tuck within 7-10 days and resume trenuous exercise in about 4-6 weeks. By 3 to 6 months post-op, most patients are enjoying their permanent results.
However, it is also important to note that results are only permanent when patients maintain them with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Tummy Tuck
Before & After Photos
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Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.Previous1 of 22NextBEFOREAFTER
Case #229
47 year old, 159lbs, 5’1″, standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #228
33 year old, 195lbs, 5’4″, extended abdominoplasty and panniculectomyBEFOREAFTER
Case #227
38 year old, 180lbs, 5’3″, standard abdominoplasty BEFOREAFTER
Case #225
37 year old, 150lbs, 5’4″, Standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #224
46 year old, 110lbs, 5″, mini tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) BEFOREAFTER
Case #159
35 year old, 119lbs, 5’3″, Standard abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #154
40 year old, 168lbs, 5’3″, Extended abdominoplasty with liposuction to back and flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #133
36 year old, 140 lbs, 5’3″, Standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #127
34 year old, height and weight unknown, extended abdominoplasty with liposuction of flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #126
47 year old, 180lbs, 5’5″, circumfrential lift with thigh lift and liposuction to outer thighsBEFOREAFTER
Case #117
35 year old, 150 lbs, 5’4″, standard abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #103
42 year old, 155lbs, 5’3″, standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #101
40 year old, 160lbs, 4’10”, standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to abdomen and flanksBEFOREAFTER
Case #100
43 year old, 149lbs, 5’2″, standard abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #74
52 year old, 190lbs, 5’10”, standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanks, BEFOREAFTER
Case #71
42 year old, 120lbs, 5′, standard abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #65
33 year old, 150lbs, 5’4″, small abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #64
54 year old, 170lbs, 5’5″, standard abdominoplasty with thigh liftBEFOREAFTER
Case #49
30 year old, 120 lbs, 5’4″, standard abdominoplastyBEFOREAFTER
Case #44
41 year old, 133lbs, 5’2″, standard abdominoplasty with liposuction to flanksVIEW PHOTO GALLERYREQUEST A CONSULTATIONREQUEST A CONSULTATION
Your Week by Week Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline
As you read the tummy tuck recovery week by week details below, understand that the healing time for every tummy tuck is different and depends upon the extent of your surgical plan. However, in most cases, there is a relatively predictable tummy tuck recovery timeline.
Day 1 of the Surgery
Tummy tuck procedures are performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Therefore, you must have someone to drive you home after surgery and take care of you afterward so you can rest for the remainder of the day. It may take several hours for the anesthesia medication to wear off, so expect to be groggy for a while.
Discomfort is also to be expected, which can be managed with medications. During your pre-operative appointment, you will receive prescriptions for oral medications to take prior to surgery to reduce the likelihood of infection as well as prescription pain medications to help you manage your discomfort.
Week 1 After Surgery
Week one of tummy tuck recovery involves getting plenty of rest and following all of the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This will not only help heal your incision heal and reduce swelling more quickly, but it will also help to maximize your tummy tuck results.
What does a tummy tuck recovery day by day timeline look like in the first week? Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Bed rest is recommended for the first 2 days after your tummy tuck procedure. On day 3, activity is encouraged but should be limited. Any activity involving lifting and carrying, driving, exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol should be avoided.
- A drain is a device that directs excess fluid away from the incision and out of the body. Most patients require drains for the first few days after surgery, which are removed about 5 days after surgery.
- Bandages on the incision site should be replaced, and the area around the incision gently cleaned, every other day following surgery.
- A post tummy tuck compression garment should be worn at all times during the first week following the surgery, and as often as possible for the following 6-8 weeks. It is critical to minimize swelling, support healing, and maximize results.
- In most cases, patients can take a shower a day or two after surgery.
- Patients should stay hydrated and maintain a diet that is low in sodium to reduce swelling.
Remember, discomfort, bruising, and swelling are to be expected, but if you begin to experience fever, nausea, unusual pain, or redness around the incision site, contact your surgeon.
Week 2 After Surgery
While some restrictions are lifted after week 1, it is still important to take it easy and follow your surgeon’s instructions. After coming this far, you do not want to undo all the great work you and your surgeon have done.
Ensure you make note of the following during week 2 of your tummy tuck recovery:
- Activity: Most patients are ready to return to most aspects of normal daily activities 7 days following surgery. It is important to take brief walks a few times a day to get your blood flowing and your body used to moving again. Several activities still remain off-limits, including vigorous exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
- Diet: Patients may resume their regular diet the second week after surgery, but it is a good idea to continue to limit sodium and drink plenty of water.
- Care: We recommend patients lightly massage the treated area to promote healing. To help heal the incision site, scar minimizing techniques should be used, such as the application of vitamin E, silicone sheets, Scar Guard or BioCornium. Patients should also continue to wear compression garments to achieve the best possible results.
- Side Effects: Generally with the tummy tuck swelling timeline, at week 2, you will still be swollen in the treatment area. However, the pain, bruising, and feeling of tightness from your tummy tuck should begin to fade during week 2 of your recovery.
Weeks 3 & 4 After Surgery
By weeks 3 and 4 you’ll be about halfway through your initial tummy tuck healing timeline. Take into account the guidelines below to continue your quick recovery:
- Activity: Patients usually resume exercise during week 3 or 4 after a tummy tuck, once they receive approval from their surgeon. It is important to return to activity gradually. Listen to your body; if you are tired, it is important to rest. You will be able to resume your normal exercise routine when you have healed appropriately.
- Diet: Begin maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet to stay within your ideal weight range.
- Care: Continue applying scar treatments to your incision and wearing the compression garments.
- Side Effects: Your discomfort and bruising should be completely gone, and swelling should be minimal.
Week 5 & 6 After Surgery
During week 5 and 6 of your tummy tuck recovery you should do the following:
- Activity: Most patients resume strenuous exercise, with approval from their surgeon.
- Diet: Continue maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet to stay at your ideal weight range.
- Care: Continue applying scar treatments to your incision to promote healing. The compression garments should continue to be worn.
Tummy Tuck 3-6 Months Post-Op Results
Time to enjoy your flat, smooth, slim tummy! As we mentioned, each person’s tummy tuck recovery time varies, but most patients are ready to return to normal activities within 3-6 months after their initial procedure. While everyone’s tummy tuck results timeline is slightly different, it is critical for every patient to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to stay fit and well.
An abdominoplasty can rid people of the extra skin, fat, and tissue that diet, exercise, or even liposuction alone cannot address. While the tummy tuck recovery process may sound daunting, the highly skilled surgeons at Belcara Health strive to provide you with the best results and the least amount of discomfort possible.