Bowel Movement After Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure performed to get rid of excess fat that makes your belly to bulge. Tummy tuck is a simple surgical procedure performed by surgeons under local anaesthesia. The main aim of tummy tuck surgery is to remove excess skin and fat deposited on lower abdomen, inner thighs, and pubic area. Tummy tuck is majorly used to correct the issues related to pregnancy.
The digestive tract runs from the mouth to the anus, passing through the esophagus, stomach and intestines. The process of passing food through this tract is termed as digestion. The material that comes out as stools is called feces. Bowel movements (BMs) occur when there is a movement of feces in the digestive tract. BMs normally come out once a day after a person has eaten food.
Bowel Movement After Tummy Tuck
Bowel Movement After Tummy Tuck
It is possible to have bowel movements after a tummy tuck. It is more common in the first few days, but may occur up to six weeks after the procedure. If you are concerned about your bowel movements, please contact your surgeon.
The bowels can be impacted by a number of factors including:
- The location of the operation (upper or lower).
- The size of the incision, which may be larger if there are other surgeries involved (breast augmentation or breast lift).
- Dehydration – especially in elderly patients or those with heart disease or who take diuretics for blood pressure control.
- Severe constipation before surgery can impact postoperative bowel function by causing luminal stenosis, which is usually temporary and resolves on its own over time; however, it can cause difficulty passing stool for up to 6 weeks after surgery and should not be ignored as it could progress to obstruction requiring further intervention such as manual disimpaction or stenting with an endoscope or balloon dilation device inserted through an opening in the abdominal wall called a trocar site (see below).
After a tummy tuck, you will be able to pass gas and have bowel movements. However, it may take a while for the bowels to get back to the normal pattern. It is not uncommon to pass gas or have a bowel movement the day of surgery. There may be some discomfort from the gas or stool that is hard to pass at first, but this should go away after a few days. Bowel movements should return to normal within about 2 weeks after surgery.
I recommend that you drink lots of water and fiber (bran products) once you are able to eat solid foods again so that you can avoid constipation (hard stools). If you have any problems with your bowel movements, contact your surgeon immediately as this could be a sign of infection or bleeding.
Tummy Tuck Incision Stinging
Tummy Tuck Incision Stinging
Tummy tuck incisions are made in key areas where the skin is loose and excess fat can be removed. The tummy tuck incision is usually made along the bikini line, but sometimes it may be higher up on the abdominal wall or around the navel area.
The incisions will be stitched closed with dissolvable sutures. Sutures are small stitches that dissolve on their own over time. You may have an area of numbness after your surgery, especially if you had liposuction or breast lift. This is temporary and should go away as you heal.
After a tummy tuck surgery, you may have some swelling and bruising around your incision sites for several weeks after your surgery. We will provide instructions on how to care for yourself after your surgery at home so that healing is as quick as possible.
Tummy tuck incisions are made in the abdomen, either vertically (up and down) or horizontally (side-to-side). The choice is usually made based on the location of the weight loss.
The vertical incision results in a scar that runs up and down along your belly button. The horizontal incision means there will be two lines of scarring — one across your lower abdomen and one across your upper abdomen.
Both types of incisions heal well and leave minimal scarring after they’ve healed. However, the vertical incision may leave more visible scars than a horizontal one because it’s closer to your skin surface and is more likely to show through clothes or bathing suits.
Worst Days After Tummy Tuck
The worst days after a tummy tuck are the first few, when you’re in pain and your incision is still fresh. You may also feel dizzy, nauseated and weak. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication for this period.
It takes about two weeks for your incision to heal enough that you can start exercising again. It takes another two weeks to six months for your scars to fade significantly.
The worst days after abdominoplasty are the first few. After that it is just uncomfortable and you can definitely expect to feel like you have had the wind knocked out of you. You will need help with your post op care and medications are prescribed for pain relief.
The most important thing is to follow your surgeon’s advice with regards to taking it easy and not lifting anything heavy.
As long as there is no infection, you should be able to return to work after one week.
The most common complaint after a tummy tuck is discomfort and swelling. You should expect some swelling after your surgery, but if it’s excessive, you should contact your doctor right away.
Here are some tips to help you through your recovery process:
Stay off your feet as much as possible for the first 48 hours following surgery.
Take pain medication only as directed by your doctor; do not take more than what is prescribed — even if it doesn’t seem to be working well enough.
Ask for help when needed during the first two weeks after surgery (for example, when getting out of bed). If you need assistance, ask someone to help support your upper body while sitting up and putting on clothes so that you don’t put too much pressure on your lower back or abdominal muscles.