Tummy Tuck Recovery Time Off Work>The tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, requires approximately two weeks off work for full recovery. Most people can work at a computer after about four to five days, but plastic surgeons usually recommend two weeks to avoid any unnecessary stress on the body.
According to most patients, the second and third days after the tummy tuck are the worst as the pain peaks. However, you can control the pain by taking your prescribed pain medications. read more on tummy tuck recovery stages and worst days after tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Time Off Work
Patients typically feel relieved and excited once they have made the decision to have plastic surgery. The only thing putting a damper on the decision is concern about missing any time from work. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations before the surgery so they can plan for a successful recovery. Depending on the specific procedure, healing from plastic surgery can take anywhere from four days to three weeks. Most patients should be able to care for their own basic needs within a few days for all types of plastic surgery. With minor procedures, there may be no down time at all.
Expected Recovery Times for the Most Popular Types of Plastic Surgery
The amount of time required to remain home from work depends on the exact procedure, the patient’s age, overall health, and several other factors. The following are general guidelines for various types of plastic surgery.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
The tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, requires approximately two weeks off work for full recovery. Most people can work at a computer after about four to five days, but plastic surgeons usually recommend two weeks to avoid any unnecessary stress on the body. A mini tummy tuck requires less time at home than a fully tummy tuck with muscle repair. Patients can expect to return to complete mobility by the end of the first week after the procedure.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
The decision to go back to work following eyelid surgery depends on how self-conscious a patient feels about co-workers knowing that he or she had this procedure. Blepharoplasty patients should plan at least one week at home, but that may stretch to closer to two weeks if they desire for all visible signs of the surgery to disappear. It is easy to disguise the bruising and swelling with sunglasses when going out for the first several days after the eyelid surgery.
Breast Augmentation
Due to variables such as type of implant, incision site, and whether the patient’s job is physically demanding, there is no set amount of time to take off work after a breast augmentation that applies to everyone. However, patients should plan on at least one week at home before returning to work. The plastic surgeon will let breast augmentation patients know the amount of down time recommended after evaluating all of the patient’s individual factors.
Liposuction
People who only had liposuction on one or two areas of their body should be able to return to work within two days. For multiple areas treated by liposuction, patients should plan for at least three days off work. As with other types of plastic surgery, patients can probably return sooner to a desk job than one that requires them to be on their feet all day or to lift heavy objects.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
Patients need to wear a splint for approximately a week after a nose job. They are free to return to work at any point after that. If they are unconcerned with people knowing about the surgery, they should feel physically well enough to go back to work in two to three days after the procedure.
Rhytidectomy (Face Lift)
Most plastic surgeons recommend staying home from work for two weeks after a face lift. The face will be bruised and swollen and time at home is required for proper healing. If visible signs of the face lift are still present after two weeks and the patient must return to work, the plastic surgeon should be able to provide suggestions on the best types of makeup to disguise any light scars or remaining bruises and swelling.
Worst Days After Tummy Tuck
After the tummy tuck surgery, all patients want to return to everyday life as soon as possible; however, recovering from abdominoplasty requires patience and perseverance. The speed of your healing process depends on factors such as age, general health, body weight, and the technique your surgeon practiced. If you are concerned about the results, complications, warning signs after a tummy tuck, and instructions for the tummy tuck recovery, you can find the answers to your questions in this article.
How Is Recovery after Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck recovery is more challenging than other body plastic surgeries, such as liposuction and breast augmentation. After a tummy tuck, you will have moderate to severe pain, which OTC and prescribed medications can control. Also, you probably experience numbness, skin tingling, burning sensation, lumps and bumps, swelling, and bruising for weeks after the operation. Fortunately, most of the abdominoplasty’s discomfort will diminish within a few weeks, except for swelling that may persist for up to 6 months. If you want to know more about the tummy tuck recovery period, continue reading.
What to Expect During Tummy Tuck recovery?
After being discharged, you must rest at home for a few weeks. In the tummy tuck recovery period, you should take painkillers and -if needed- anticoagulants. It isn’t easy to bend, stand, and lift something a few days after the surgery, so having a caregiver by your side is better. However, it would help if you had mobility at home, so walk around the house daily to prevent blood clots in the abdominoplasty recovery period.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline
Right after Tummy Tuck
After the surgery, a surgical dressing will cover your stomach to prevent contact with clothes and bleeding. Your doctor may recommend you sleep at a specific angle to feel less pain and your drainage tube will not move.
The first week after the tummy tuck
In the first week after a tummy tuck, you may have pain, bruising, swelling, and excess discharges, all of which can be controlled by taking medication and wearing special garments and bandages. During the first week of tummy tuck recovery:
- Have a balanced diet and avoid foods rich in sodium;
- Wear and replace your bandage just as your surgeon has suggested;
- Avoid taking a shower for a couple of days, especially if you have drains;
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Do not do chores;
- Follow your prescribed medications;
- If you have drains, make an appointment to remove them;
- Avoid driving, even for short distances;
- Do not stay in bed all day. Walk gently around the house or the hospital ward;
- Do not do strenuous activities such as biking, driving, lifting, pushing and pulling heavy objects, etc.;
- In case of unbearable pain, take prescribed painkillers and use an ice compress;
- Drink plenty of water;
- Avoid bending and jumping; and
- Ask someone to be your caregiver during the abdominoplasty recovery period.
The second week after the tummy tuck
During the second week after a tummy tuck, you’d better continue your diet to achieve the desired result. Although pain, swelling, and bruising subside this week, you may need to continue taking medications and wearing compression garments. Moreover, during the second week of tummy tuck recovery:
- Apply anti-scar ointments and silicone sheets to minimize scarring;
- Avoid smoking and drinking;
- Avoid having sex;
- Reduce sodium intake;
- Avoid doing heavy exercises and chores;
- Take a walk for a few minutes every day to increase your blood flow;
- Massage the operated area twice a day to speed up the healing process;
- If your job is not physically demanding, you can get back to work; and
- Stay hydrated all day long.
Third and fourth week after tummy tuck
Almost three to four weeks after the tummy tuck, you can have a regular diet and exercise as before. However, avoiding strenuous exercises such as weightlifting and mountain climbing is suggested for at least six weeks after the surgery. Also, wearing a compression garment for a month after the operation is better for achieving your desired contour. Although your pain should be gone by the fourth week, you may still experience discomfort when getting up from bed, sitting straight, or driving. Therefore, avoid long trips and sitting for hours.
The fifth and sixth weeks after tummy tuck
On the fifth week onward, you can enjoy the outcome of your surgery as the swelling is subsided to a great extent and the muscles are more apparent. At this stage, you can return to your daily exercises, driving, and having intercourse.
Do’s and Don’ts After Abdominoplasty Surgery
After abdominoplasty surgery, you should rest for 1 to 4 weeks until you recover completely. However, age, type of surgery, general health, and post-surgery care can affect the tummy tuck recovery duration. After a tummy tuck, it is necessary to take the following care:
- Avoid air travel for at least three weeks after the surgery;
- Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infection;
- Clean the incision area with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap every day;
- Avoid using skin products containing alcohol and paraben;
- Avoid lifting weighty objects for at least two weeks;
- Call a doctor in case of active bleeding during the first two weeks after the surgery;
- Avoid taking any nicotine from one month before the surgery until the end of the recovery period;
- Stroll and avoid absolute rest to prevent blood clots;
- Rest for 15 days and ask for a caregiver during tummy tuck recovery;
- Visit the doctor on the third day and the first week after the surgery, especially to remove the drain;
- Wear proper and loose clothes to avoid moving drainage tube and surgical dressing;
- Use an elastic bandage or special clothing for a month to control bruising and swelling;
- Avoid bathing after abdominoplasty surgery until the drain is removed and the hole is closed;
- Prevent blood clots by wearing anti-embolism socks after the surgery or injecting heparin and enoxaparin as prescribed by your doctor;
- Avoid walking, doing everyday activities, doing heavy exercises, and driving for 10 to 14 days after the surgery, especially if the muscles are plicated.
When Are Stitches Removed After a Tummy Tuck?
In abdominoplasty, absorbable sutures are usually inserted at the incision site. These sutures do not need to be removed; only the knots on both sides are removed after two weeks. However, the sutures inside the navel are not absorbable, and removing them after two weeks is necessary. Usually, doctors in Iran recommend using gels, anti-scar creams, silicone sheets, or laser therapy to prevent the formation of excess flesh at the suture site.
How Long Does It Take for Tummy Tuck Scars to Heal?
The scar looks good in the first days after tummy tuck surgery, but it becomes red or purple and prominent after some time. This scar is not permanent and will go away after a few months, but the silver line of the scar will always remain under the abdomen. In any case, full recovery of the scars takes 3 to 6 months and sometimes a year.
Inflammation after Tummy Tuck
After each surgery, the body sends white blood cells to the operated area to protect the damaged tissues and attack the harmful bacteria that cause inflammation or swelling. After the tummy tuck, the immune system sends many white blood cells to the incision site to protect the stomach tissue and heal the wounds. Therefore, swelling after the tummy tuck is normal and will subside within several months. Meanwhile, you can wear a compression garment and have a low-sodium diet to get rid of swelling faster.
Meds You Should Take in Tummy Tuck Recovery Period
After being discharged from the hospital, you have been prescribed the following drugs. The duration and method of taking the medicines depend on your physical condition. The meds that you should take after tummy tuck surgery include:
- Anti-constipation drugs;
- Oral antibiotics to prevent infection in the surgical area;
- Acetaminophen codeine, suppository, or ampoule to control the pain.
Foods to Eat After Tummy Tuck
A proper diet after a tummy tuck speeds up recovery, avoids weight gain, and helps repair your tissues, muscles, and abdomen skin. Since you cannot cook for several days, stocking up on your fridge is recommended before the surgery. Read on to learn what foods you have to have after tummy tuck:
- Plain water;
- Fruit juice;
- Light tea;
- Leafy vegetables;
- Foods rich in protein;
- Vitamin C and A, as well as omega-3;
- Whole-grain cereals and nuts;
- Fresh dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese (if you are not lactose intolerant);
- Smooth soups and pudding, etc.
Foods to Avoid After Tummy Tuck
Some foods should be avoided after a tummy tuck, such as:
- Fried foods;
- Sodas;
- Fast foods;
- Foods high in sugar and salt;
- Processed foods;
- Alcohol and caffeinated beverages; and
- Leftovers.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
Pain, bruising, swelling, and digestive problems are normal and inevitable consequences of the tummy tuck. However, you should be aware of some warning signs after a tummy tuck, such as:
- 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.
Returning to Daily Activities After Tummy Tuck
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.
The factors that return the stomach to its original shape include:
- Not having a healthy diet.
A healthy and nutritious diet -including protein, fruit, vegetables, and carbohydrates- and drinking enough water and avoiding fatty and high-calorie food will help maintain the results of abdominoplasty surgery.
- Not doing regular exercises.
Doing exercise keeps you in shape, and avoiding it can eliminate the results of tummy tuck surgery. By not doing regular exercises, your stomach will return to its former shape over time.
- Getting pregnant again.
Abdominoplasty surgery does not prevent pregnancy; however, pregnancy can affect the results of the surgery by stretching the skin of the abdomen. So, it is better to tummy tuck when you do not intend to become pregnant.
- Severe weight loss
Like obesity, severe weight loss may affect the results of a tummy tuck. By losing so much weight, the abdomen skin will loosen; as a result, the stomach may sag again.
Why Is Iran a Good Destination for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is one of Iran’s most popular cosmetic surgeries. Having taken advantage of experienced specialists, Iran offers various cosmetic surgeries, including weight loss surgeries, at the most affordable prices than other countries that are making progress in medical tourism.
In recent years, Iran has become a popular destination for people worldwide who seek to perform such cosmetic surgeries, especially tummy tucks. As a professional medical tourism company, we offer you an economy package in which all services you need for a medical trip to Iran are included.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Stages
How long does it take to recover from a tummy tuck procedure? Contrary to common 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 strenuous 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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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.
Tummy Tuck Guide
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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.