Making a long, thin incision between the hip bones and just above the pubic mound is necessary to do a stomach tuck. The surgeon will perform the cut, trim away any extra abdominal fat, and then lift the skin up above the incision to cover it. The excess skin is removed, and the stomach is then stitched back together, resulting in a flat, tight finish.
When Can I Sleep On Side After Tummy Tuck
As you may expect, it might not be a good idea to lay flat on your back right after surgery. Lying flat stretches out the abdomen, putting stress on the skin that has just been sutured, causing pain and possibly rupturing the sutures. So, in order to prevent tugging on the stitching while you sleep, specialists advise that you sleep in a slightly bent position. Surgeons advise using a recliner rather than lying flat on your bed as you normally would.
You can sleep safely and comfortably in a recliner, a sort of chair that folds in the middle, while yet retaining a bend in the middle of your body. You may sleep soundly in the chair without worrying about tossing and turning or harming the stitching. Depending on your demands, a good recliner should let you change how bent your body is.
Lying down on a bed after a tummy tuck
After a stomach tuck, the lower abdominal tissues are severely strained, so it’s important to maintain a “bent” or “jackknifed” body shape whether walking, standing, or getting into bed.
Keep your body’s shape in mind when transitioning from a standing to a lying down position. To avoid undue tension on the stitching, you should try to keep your body in a bent shape throughout the operation.
Make sure the bed or recliner is the appropriate shape to accommodate a bent posture before lying down. Next, keep your core flexed and sit on the edge of the bed with your knees facing outward. Then, turn your legs so they are facing forward on the bed. Last but not least, lower your torso. If you are sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed, you shouldn’t have to lower yourself very far.
How To Improve Sleep After A Tummy Tuck
Large amounts of tissue are removed during tummy tuck procedures. The body’s normal response is to send inflammatory signals to the surgical site, which may cause discomfort and swelling. So, it may be challenging to achieve good, sound sleep following a tummy tuck. What then can you do to guarantee that you acquire the rest you require to heal?
Take Pain Medications
Pain medications can be taken before bed to help ease discomfort as you try to sleep for the first few days after receiving a tummy tuck. Avoid using painkillers which contain stimulants as these may prevent you from sleeping.
Make Getting Into Bed A Ritual
Much of what our brains do is unconscious, including getting ready for sleep. It’s a good idea, therefore, to train your mind to be prepared for rest as soon as you hit the sack. You can do this by turning the process of getting into bed into a ritual. Before you undergo surgery, start sleeping in a recliner, or a reclined position. Train yourself to expect sleep once in this position by turning off the lights and electronic devices.
When can i sleep on my side after a tummy tuck?
Unless your doctor tells you that you can sleep in the modified side position mentioned earlier, you can expect to sleep on your back for several weeks. You can resume sleeping on your side once your incision has healed, under the instruction of your doctor.
If you are still experiencing pain when making minimal movements, your doctor may tell you to keep sleeping on your back until it subsides.
When can i sleep on my stomach after tummy tuck?
As you are already aware, resting on your stomach after a belly tuck can negatively impact your outcomes.
How long must you refrain from sleeping on your stomach, then?
Patients are advised to refrain from stomach sleeping for at least six weeks following surgery. Your abdomen is recovering and creating your outcomes within those six weeks. Your sleeping position shouldn’t interfere with this procedure.
It’s crucial to remember that different people recover in various ways and might need to avoid eating for more than six weeks. Please discuss the best time to resume your regular sleeping posture with your surgeon.
Why you can’t sleep on your stomach or side after a tummy tuck surgery?
After a tummy tuck, you will have an incision across your lower abdomen. This means that you can’t sleep on your stomach during the early stages of the healing process. Doing so will put too much pressure on the incision. This is not only painful. but also dangerous and can compromise your results.
Sleeping on your side may seem better than sleeping on your stomach, but it still pulls on the incisions. There’s also a possibility of rolling onto your stomach during the night.
If i cannot sleep on my stomach after my tummy tuck, how should i sleep?
Since you cannot sleep on your stomach after your tummy tuck, you may be wondering what comfortable, safe sleeping position is right for you. Surgeons often recommend sleeping on your back while recovering from a tummy tuck, but you may be able to sleep on your side a few weeks after surgery.
If you’re a front or side sleeper, sleeping on your back after a tummy tuck can feel unnatural. It’s a good idea, therefore, to practice sleeping on your back for a few weeks before the surgery so that once you’ve had the operation, you’re better able to get the shut-eye you need. Being able to sleep will help the recovery process, allowing you to get back on your feet sooner.
When you sleep on your back, you should elevate yourself with pillows. This can help make sleeping on your back more comfortable and easier to get used to. Additionally, sleeping flat on your back stretches out your abdomen and can harm the incisions.
Elevation and lots of pillows are going to be the best option.
Sleeping Options After A Tummy Tuck
In general, you’ve got two sleeping options after a tummy tuck. The first is to modify your bed with pillows to provide a raised-up section for your torso so that you can maintain a bent posture during sleep. This has the advantage of being a simple solution – all it requires is a few extra pillows. But there are disadvantages, namely the fact that when you’re sleeping on a bed, you’re free to toss and turn. Moreover, the pillows supporting your torso to maintain a bent posture can slip out from underneath during the night, putting your stitching at risk.
The alternative is to sleep on a recliner. Recliners hold your body in position and discourage turning during the night. Some recliners can be set to raise both your head and feet, maintaining a comfortable V-shape throughout. Of course, if you don’t have a recliner already but want the benefits, then you’ll have to go out and buy one which could be expensive.
Wear Compression Garments While You Sleep
Compression garments are items of clothing that support your midriff and temporarily and offer support to the abdominal muscles after surgery. There are many different kinds of compression garments you can use – everything from binders to girdles. Where possible, follow the advice of your surgeon and wear compression clothing according to their instructions. Compression clothing should be worn at all times of day, including during sleep.
Following surgery, you are likely to experience a degree of inflammation in your abdomen. Compression clothing helps to support your stomach while it is inflamed, assisting the recovery process.
How To Get Out Of Bed
Patients need to be careful when getting out of bed so as not to overstretch the skin of the lower abdomen due to the nature of the incision following a tummy tuck. While getting out of bed, roll onto your side while keeping your hips flexed, and then push yourself up into a seated position with your hands. Once you are seated, lean forward and utilize your leg muscles to help you stand.
It’s crucial to keep your body bent at all times. This will not only guard against injury to the incision site, but it will also lessen the visibility of the scar once all the stitches have been taken out.
Which tummy tuck is right for me?
There are many alternatives available if you’re considering having your stomach sutured. The first thing to decide is whether you want a mini-tummy tuck or a full abdominoplasty. A comprehensive abdominoplasty entails strengthening the muscles and removing extra skin and fat from the abdomen.
This technique can be right for you if you want to have some muscle tightening in addition to merely skin tightening. A mini-tummy tuck, on the other hand, might be the best option for you if you’re not interested in muscle tightening but would like some more skin removal.
How many incisions will be necessary to do the procedure is another thing to think about when deciding between a mini-tummy tuck and a full abdominoplasty.
You might choose to go with this option if your doctor says one or two minor incisions are all that’s required because it will be less painful and leave fewer scars than if he advises more incisions (though there is no guarantee that multiple incisions are always necessary).
When will my stomach feel normal after tummy tuck?
Let’s be honest…A tummy tuck is a big operation and you can expect it to take a couple of months before you get back to normal. There are many types of tummy tucks, and the recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the surgery.
Tummy tuck recovery stages
Below, you’ll find a handy timeline for what to expect after tummy tuck surgery. Again, keep in mind the extent of your surgery can vary. For example, a mini tummy tuck is far less invasive than an extended Sculpt tummy tuck, which means a shorter recovery time. Your mileage may vary.
Now that we’ve said that, let’s dive into a typical tummy tuck recovery timeline that you may find useful as you prepare for tummy tuck surgery:
Week 1: This is no doubt the most difficult part of tummy tuck recovery. Tummy tuck pain, swelling and even bruising are common.You may even regret having a tummy tuck. Don’t worry – these feelings are normal and this, too, shall pass.
You’ll be walking bent over at this point, and will be spending most of your time resting from the comfort of your bed or sofa. Walking every day is vital to recovery. Even just a few minutes every few hours can help.
Driving is off limits for the first 2-3 weeks.
At the 7 day mark, you will come in for a follow-up appointment. Dr. Beldholm will change the PICO dressings. Click here to learn the benefits of PICO negative pressure dressings.
Week 2: The worst is behind you. You’ll still have some discomfort, but it will decrease day by day. Swelling is still prevalent. Numbness in the lower abdomen is also normal. Your tummy still feels tender, so you will likely still need help around the house from friends, family members or an aid. By day 10, most patients will start walking upright. You’re doing great. Hang in there!
Week 3: Congrats! Most patients are allowed to start driving after a tummy tuck at 2 to 3 weeks. Now that you can drive, it frees you up to have a lot more independence. You’ll still need assistance carrying heavy groceries, etc. at this point, though. By now, you should be feeling a lot better overall.
Swelling, discomfort and bruising will decrease greatly by this stage.
The lower tummy will most likely still be numb and feel a bit “alien” for the time being. That’s because the sensory nerves in the skin were damaged during surgery (this is normal, after all, you just had surgery). Feeling will return eventually. Numbness usually subsides within 3 months as the nerves repair themselves.
Week 4: Most patients return to work around 4 weeks post-op. Returning to work signals how far you have made it in recovery. It also helps patients feel good knowing they are back in a familiar routine, so you will start to feel more “normal” again.
Week 5-8: Each day is easier and easier. You will be amazed at how far you have come in such a short time. The worst of the swelling will start going away 1 to 2 months after surgery. Most patients can resume a full exercise routine at the 8-week mark.
Exercising after tummy tuck is beneficial. It not only shows how far you have come physically, but exercise can also improve your tummy tuck results by keeping you fit and healthy. You’ll also be able to handle lifting heavy objects like groceries without assistance, which makes life easier.
Week 9: You’ve made it to the 3-month mark. This is when most of Dr. Beldholm’s patients say they really start feeling “back to normal”. Some swelling will still be present, but it will be substantially less than it was a few weeks ago. There shouldn’t be any pain or discomfort at this stage and you will be completely independent. The scars will still be red at this stage. It can take a long time for surgical scars to mature.
In the weeks and months that follow, you will notice swelling reduce even more. As the swelling settles, your tummy tuck results will become more visible. It’s amazing to see the transformation that takes place.
Remember, just a few months ago you had a totally different body with loose skin and unwanted fat that made you feel pretty low. Clothes will fit better now, and you will start feeling more like yourself as you get used to your beautiful, flat tummy.
How long until I see the results of a tummy tuck?
Getting a tummy tuck is a big landmark in many patients’ lives. It is no wonder that they feel both excited and anxious to see the results of surgery. After all, it took a lot of time and effort finding the right surgeon, taking time off work, arranging rides to doctor appointments, etc. Not to mention, the cost of tummy tuck surgery.
After all that, of course patients wish they could see results right away. The truth is, you will see a noticeable improvement immediately after surgery. That unwanted loose skin and fat will finally be gone for good. But — and this is a BIG “but” — it takes a while to see the final results because of the swelling after surgery.
In Doctor Bernard’s experience, 12 to 18 months is how long it takes to see the final results of tummy tuck surgery. However, you will feel “normal” again by the 3-month mark.
Tummy tuck scar fading is usually what takes the longest. (Hint: If you want to fade tummy tuck scars faster, try Laser Genesis to reduce scar redness.)
Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
Although there are certainly medical and functional benefits to be gained through a tummy tuck, the procedure is not typically covered by insurance. Some related procedures, such as the panniculectomy – which is used to remove the excess skin of the pannus after weight loss – may be covered by insurance in certain cases.
Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?
Yes! Many patients choose to combine their tummy tuck with additional procedures in order to maximize the results of their transformation as well as to cut down on expensive surgical fees in the long run. After weight loss patients may choose to have a tummy tuck, arm lift (brachioplasty), and thigh lift all performed simultaneously, for instance.
Another example of a combined procedure is the mommy makeover, which can be highly beneficial for women who have had children – and even those who haven’t. Some of the procedures most commonly combined with a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL).