Tummy Tuck With Muscle Recovery Time? You may not feel fully healed for up to 3 months to as long as 4 or 5 months. Some patients say their healing felt like it took 6 months to up to a year – remember, every person’s different. But in general, most patients get back to the majority of their normal day to day activities within a period of a few months.
The worst days after tummy tuck surgery will be the first one to three days. You will experience some mild pain, bloating, pressure, and swelling. These symptoms are normal. Just rest in bed during this time. read on to find out more on warning signs after tummy tuck and worst days after tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck With Muscle Recovery Time
It may even leave you feeling as if you can’t stand tall. In time, the skin will adjust and the sensations will become less uncomfortable.
- Discomfort and the sensation of extreme abdominal skin tightness (that leaves you feeling you can’t properly stand up or stretch tall) will typically subside over a period of several days to several weeks.
- This is part of the process of getting you a tighter, flatter tummy.
- The scar maturation of your incision lines can take up to a year to fully mature (we offer special minimisation treatments, ask us during a consultation).
4. What are some tips to help me heal and recover faster?
- Even if you’re healthy, don’t expect to ‘bounce back’ quickly – especially if you had a sophisticated procedure that included liposuction shaping as well as an Abdominoplasty and Diastasis Recti Repair.
- Make sure you have someone there to help you for – ideally – a week or two after surgery (prepare meals, help you dress/bathe or go to the bathroom) – as your body is going to need healing time.
- Don’t push yourself or you could harm your incision lines, including leading to an infection or tearing out your stitches – or lead to a bigger scar.
- Do your research so you know what to expect.
- Be patient about how long it takes; expect variance.
- Follow your Rapid Recovery Guide as instructed, including all suggested supplements and probiotics.
- Set your healing environment up to be conducive to resting and recovery (make it a nice place to sleep, rest and heal). Read more on How to Sleep After Abdominoplasty.
Ask Dr Wyten’s team for information and support if you have any concerns about your healing process or your incision line care.
5. Why is the recovery time for a mini tummy tuck different?
- The mini Tummy Tuck recovery time is likely to be a bit shorter than a full Tummy Tuck.
- It depends on what type of procedure was performed.
- Even a ‘mini tummy tuck’ is a bespoke procedure, so no two mini tummy tucks will ever be identical.
- If liposuction was also used for shaping, your recovery may take a bit longer than if your procedure involved only skin reduction.
- The factors listed above will influence recovery from a full tummy tuck vs a mini tummy tuck.
In other words, the same factors still apply for a mini tummy tuck as for a full tummy tuck. The key difference is that you may have less discomfort or less abdominal tightness, and you may be able to return to normal activities a few weeks sooner than if you’ve had a full tummy tuck/abdominoplasty with abdominal muscle repairs for diastasis recti (torn abs).
However, few patients are suitable candidates for a mini-tummy tuck, and it may not get them the tighter, trimmer tummy area they’re wanting. If you have a mini Tummy Tuck, chances are you are very athletic and simply have a bit of loose skin (but no real abdominal muscle separation and no excess abdominal fat).
- Be sure you DON’T rush back into exercising after a mini-tummy tuck.
- Ask your Plastic Surgeon what he or she recommends about returning to exercise after an Abdominoplasty or Mini Tummy Tuck
6. Why does the recovery from Tummy Tuck Surgery vary so much from patient to patient?
The main reason is that no two Tummy Tuck procedures are alike. Every surgery is bespoke. The type of Tummy Tuck surgery you have may be more complex, or more intensive a procedure, than another person.
Additional factors that can impact your healing and recovery after a Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty include:
- your social support system and at-home support
- your overall health
- your skin health/skin condition
- whether or not liposuction was used for improved body shaping
- the quality of the rest you’re getting, and what you eat, drink and otherwise consumer
- life stress; unexpected stressful events
- whether you return to work too soon
So expect some variance and ask your Surgeon what is normal during recovery from a Tummy Tuck.
7. Can I see before and after photos of real tummy tuck patients?
Head to our before and after gallery to see more tummy tuck surgeries by our team of Specialist Plastic Surgeons from Melbourne and Sydney.
Notes about Tummy Tuck Recovery – after Abdominoplasty surgery
1. Your Recovery is Unique – no surgery or tummy tuck recovery is ever identical. Each abdominoplasty surgery is as unique as the patient who has the procedure. Each person’s recovery period after a Tummy Tuck will also be unique.
2. A Range of Factors determine your recovery – a variety of genetic and lifestyle factors may impact your actual Tummy Tuck recovery experiences. These include:
- Your perceptions, your individual sensitivities, your environment
- Your sleeping habits and emotional state
- Your understanding of what to expect
- Your nutritional choices and whether or not you smoke
3. Your Recovery time may vary– your discomfort or healing period length may vary depending on:
- Your tolerance for discomfort and your pain receptors
- Whether or not your Surgeon used drains.
- Whether you had a complication such as an infection or bleeding
- Your patience levels for healing
- How long you can rest before having to resume your normal responsibilities
- Remember, whatever you do, do NOT smoke. Ever. Not even one.
*Smoking of any kind greatly increases all of your risks related to having plastic surgery, including risks related to Tummy Tuck surgery. If you haven’t quit smoking yet, don’t have surgery – or get professional help immediately to quit.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
- High fever because it shows infection;
- Severe pain in the operated area;
- Pus or green fluid discharging from the incisions;
- Excessive bleeding in the incision site;
- Shortness of breath; and.
- It prolonged bruising and numbness in and around the operated area.
Almost all patients who plan to get a tummy tuck wonder when they can return to their everyday life after the surgery. There is no absolute time to return to daily activities after the tummy tuck as each body reacts uniquely to the surgery. In the following, the surgeon’s suggestions about doing daily activities after abdominoplasty are mentioned:
Working after tummy tuck
Most surgeons recommend a two-week off after the operation as the body needs time to heal. Of course, if your job is labor intensive, you should avoid working for a month.
Driving after abdominoplasty
You can drive short distances for 2 to 3 weeks after abdominoplasty. But, driving long distances should be avoided for 4 to 5 weeks after the surgery because sitting too much can hurt your wounds.
Exercising after tummy tuck
Exercising after tummy tuck surgery should be done cautiously as it can apply pressure on the stitches and tear them up. You can walk around your bedroom 2-3 days after the surgery, and after a week, you can walk around the house without help. You can engage in more intense exercises from the third week, such as jogging or running on a treadmill. Still, you should avoid heavy sports such as basketball, weightlifting, wrestling, and martial arts until the sixth week after abdominoplasty.
Having sex after a tummy tuck
You should refrain from having sex for 3 to 4 weeks after the tummy tuck, as it can put a lot of pressure on your wounds and prolong the healing process.
Sleeping after tummy tuck
For a month after the tummy tuck, you’d have better sleep on your back (not on your sides or stomach) and keep your head elevated. There would be less pressure on your stomach and stitches by doing so.
How Long Do Tummy Tuck Results Last?
Tummy tuck surgery alone may not maintain the appearance of the abdomen permanently; however, by having an active lifestyle and a healthy and nutritious diet, your tummy tuck results can last for a lifetime. On the other hand, if you do not change your lifestyle, the surgery results may be undone, and the abdomen may return to its original shape.
Worst Days After Tummy Tuck
Whether you want to know what happens 2 weeks after tummy tuck surgery or immediately after your procedure, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll be going over the entire recovery process — explaining the most important symptoms, milestones, and potential warning signs after tummy tuck surgery.
While this procedure certainly offers some absolutely amazing transformations, the recovery process is extensive, so it’s important to know what to expect.
Before we begin, however, let’s cover some basics — starting with what tummy tuck surgery actually entails.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
The goal of a tummy tuck is to rejuvenate the midsection. It’s a procedure that’s often chosen in mommy makeovers for moms who want to get rid of the loose skin they acquired during pregnancy. It’s also a favorite for patients who’ve lost a lot of weight and have remaining loose skin as a result.
During surgery, the extra skin is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened with internal stitches, and excess fat is often removed as well (via liposuction). The entire procedure can have life-changing effects for many patients.
Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Painful?
While the tummy tuck surgery itself is not painful (anesthesia will be used, and you will be kept comfortable), patients will experience some mild to moderate pain after the procedure. In some cases, there will also be numbness, especially around the incision sites. This should go away after a few weeks or months, although some sensory abnormalities may persist for longer.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Week by Week
Below, we’ll go over the tummy tuck recovery stages, week by week. But first, let’s talk about what to expect immediately after surgery.
Most surgeries take around two to three hours to complete. General anesthesia is used, so you’ll be entirely asleep for the procedure. After surgery, you’ll still be sleepy when we take you to a recovery room. From there, we will monitor you and help you stay comfortable until you can go home with a trusted friend or relative.
Week One
The worst days after tummy tuck surgery will be the first one to three days. You will experience some mild pain, bloating, pressure, and swelling. These symptoms are normal.
Just rest in bed during this time. Lay on your back, but do sit up in a reclined position or according to your surgeon’s directions. You’ll want to get up during this time and walk around periodically. This is important for your circulation. Ensure you are hydrated, and try to eat a few light, healthy meals.
Two to Three Weeks After Surgery
You’ll start to feel a bit better toward the end of week one and leading into week two. You should be able to move around, bathe yourself (according to your doctor’s directions), and do a few easy activities like playing card games, sitting at the kitchen table, or walking a bit further. Keep in mind, you will be hunched over when you walk. however.
In general, you will feel a bit better around week two and leading into week three, but you will still have some pain and may continue to require the use of a prescription pain medication. Leading into week three, you should aim to switch to an over-the-counter pain management solution.
Four to Six Weeks Post-Surgery
You’ll be back to work or school at this point. You may not be totally recovered from the surgery (you’ll be a bit tired and will have other symptoms), but you may be able to start incorporating more exercise as well and other activities.
You can also expect most of your post-surgery swelling to be gone by the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks of your recovery. For example, take a look at some 5 weeks after tummy tuck photos, and you’ll notice right away that significant swelling is all but gone. With that said, swelling may continue for up to six weeks or even a year in some cases.
The best news is that you’re going to be able to see more of your results at this point. Your belly will be flat and smoothed, and the fruits of your labor will finally be obvious.
FAQ: Tummy Tuck Recovery
How long does it take to feel normal after a tummy tuck?
This depends, but most patients begin to feel “normal” after tummy tuck surgery around the fourth or fifth week of recovery. At this point, you’ll be able to return to your job or school, and you may even be able to start exercising again. You’ll definitely feel more like yourself around two to three months post-surgery, and you should be completely recovered and healed after a full year.
How far can I walk 2 weeks after tummy tuck surgery?
When you’re two weeks out from your tummy tuck surgery, don’t expect to walk very far. Most patients can walk around their home or possibly down a short driveway and back. Always follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding exercise after surgery.
How long does it take for swelling to go down after tummy tuck surgery?
All swelling should be gone by at least the six-month mark, but some patients will have a bit of residual swelling for even longer. The majority of swelling should be gone in about four to six weeks.