Tummy Tuck Recovery: What to Expect

Once you have undergone a tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty), you will have to endure a recovery period that can last a few weeks. Whether you have a mini tummy tuck or an extended procedure, such as a high lateral tension abdominoplasty, taking special measures after your procedure is essential the helping your body heal and to achieving the best possible results. Remember that everyone responds to pain differently, causing the healing period to vary widely.

Resting During Recovery

Due to the nature of a tummy tuck, you'll probably experience some internal discomfort, especially during the first few days or weeks following the procedure. Swelling is also normal. Because tummy tucks are major surgeries, your body will need time to adjust before you can return to normal activities. The type of tummy tuck you undergo and amount of internal structuring that is performed determines how quickly or slowly you will heal.

Tips for Speeding Up the Tummy Tuck Recovery

Depending on the type of procedure, your doctor will give you the following tips:

• Don’t shower until the drain tubes are removed from your abdomen. Take sponge baths if the doctor recommends them.
• Don’t take baths for approximately two weeks to avoid submersing the stitches.
• Expect some bleeding or discharge at the surgical site.
• Expect some nausea following the anesthesia.
• Take your temperature on a regular basis.
• Walk bent over at a 45° angle for the first few days after surgery to avoid stretching the incision.

Tummy Tuck Scars and Healing

Most tummy tucks leave some residual scarring. Although the incision scars may lessen in time, expect to have a permanent mark from this procedure. For full tummy tucks, the scar may stretch from one hip to the other. Endoscopic and mini tummy tucks tend to cause the least amount of permanent scarring.

General Precautions During Tummy Tuck Recovery

Regardless of whether you go home on the same day of your surgery or remain in the hospital for a few days, your surgeon will advise you to:

• Abstain from alcohol: Your doctor will advise you to not drink alcohol for anywhere from two days to a week after surgery. Alcohol is toxic to the body. After undergoing the trauma of tummy tuck surgery, your body will need to be allowed to heal without the addition of excess toxins.
  
  
• Have a friend drive you home: Because you will likely be in pain or may still feel the affects of the anesthesia, arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home and be with you the first few hours.
  
  
• Avoid sun exposure: Don’t let the sun touch the incision area, as it can damage sutures and cause serious complications.
  
  
• Be prepared for feelings of depression: Because recovery can take weeks to months, be aware that depression is common, especially in the first two weeks following surgery. If you start feeling depressed, talk to your doctor and get the proper treatment.
  
  
• Expect constipation: Pain medications generally cause constipation. Ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to take a vegetable laxative to combat constipation.
  
  
• Refrain from smoking: Like alcohol, cigarettes are toxic to the body and, therefore, can impeded the recovery process.
  
  
• Flex your feet and legs: This type of movement promotes circulation, preventing blood pooling and clotting throughout the body.
  
  
• Stand slowly: To avoid dizziness, get up and sit down slowly.
  
  
• Take medications with food: This helps prevent nausea.

Tips to Make Life Easier After a Tummy Tuck

Here are some other helpful tips to make life easier after a tummy tuck procedure:

• Arrange for meals before the procedure: You can freeze foods ahead of time and purchase a selection of broths and ready-to-drink shakes.
  
  
• Purchase extra pillows: Your doctor may even recommend that you sleep with your torso elevated.
  
  
• Put together a wardrobe of loose clothing: Purchase underwear one size too big to avoid pressure from the waistband. You may want to consider making alterations by slitting open both sides of certain clothes and adding Velcro attachments.
  
  
• Consider installing a removable showerhead: Showering may be a challenge once you're given the go-ahead. Think about installing a removable showerhead to make showering easier.

Special Compression Apparel

When to Call the Doctor

While rare, tummy tuck complications can arise during the recovery process. Contact your doctor if you experience:

• excessive bleeding
• labored breathing
• persistent fever
• redness at the surgical site accompanied by fever
• severe pain that medications cannot relieve
• vomiting.

Long-Term Recommendations

Once you have recovered from a tummy tuck procedure, maintaining proper nutrition and exercising regularly is important to keeping up the results of the surgery. Avoid extreme weight gain to prevent significant skin expansion that can negate the benefits of a tummy tuck.