How long is recovery from tummy tuck?

Six weeks after a tummy tuck

It takes six weeks for the body to heal from cosmetic surgery. Swelling may last several weeks, but most patients are fully recovered in three months or less. At this point, it's safe to begin exercising and resuming normal activities.

How painful is a tummy tuck recovery?

If you are planning to have a tummy tuck, you should be prepared for one to two months of recovery, and you may experience pain throughout this time. In general, pain is mild to moderate after a tummy tuck. Rarely, pain or sensory abnormalities can persist for months or even years after the procedure.

How soon can I go back to work after a tummy tuck?

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.

How soon can you drive after a tummy tuck?

Driving & Returning to Work

In general, you should not drive until you've been off of your prescription pain medication for at least 24 hours and can safely operate a vehicle in traffic. You may be able to drive and return to a desk job as early as two weeks after a tummy tuck.

What is the fastest way to recover from a tummy tuck?

Tummy Tuck Recovery: What to Expect

Is a tummy tuck painful?

There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week. This would, of course, depend on the individual.

What I wish I knew before getting a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck requires significant downtime

A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure that will require weeks to heal. The technique includes an incision, running from hip to hip. Patients should expect their recovery to take two to three weeks. At the beginning, you will be fatigued, swollen and sore.

Can I push to poop after tummy tuck?

Even though light movement is recommended, you should avoid moderate to heavy movement, as this will do the exact opposite and slow your recovery. Don't push your body before it's ready.

Why are my thighs bigger after tummy tuck?

During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts.

How long do you have to sleep in a recliner after a tummy tuck?

Plastic surgery recovery from a miniature tummy tuck only requires 1 – 3 weeks of resting in a reclined position, while a full or extended tummy tuck may take about 4 – 6 weeks.

How long does tummy tuck surgery take?

The length of the operation will depend on the extent of the surgery, but it could take up to three hours. Generally, a full abdominoplasty involves: The medical practitioner makes a horizontal, curved incision (cut) near the pubic hairline, which runs from one hip to the other.

What does your stomach look like after a tummy tuck?

Your Recovery

The surgery makes your belly look flatter. Your belly will be sore and swollen for the first week after surgery. The skin on your stomach will be mostly numb for several weeks to months. Feeling will return slowly.

What can you not do after a tummy tuck?

Are tummy tucks worth it?

The short answer is yes; this treatment is totally worth it. Most patients start to see incredible results after about three months, and by six months after the treatment, they are amazed by how different their bodies look. Sometimes, the belly keeps getting flattered and better looking for up to a year.

How do you go to the bathroom after a tummy tuck?

Toilet Seat Booster

Generally, toilets are fairly low to the ground and we don't realize this until some part of our legs, pelvis or core is sore. After a tummy tuck, getting low enough to sit down on the toilet can be difficult and uncomfortable. A toilet seat booster may just be your new best friend.

What are complications of a tummy tuck?

What they don't tell you about tummy tucks?

One thing people don't realize about a tummy tuck is that after the surgery it can be difficult to sit or stand upright. You'll want to have someone on hand to help you get around your home and help with daily tasks that you might not be up to, such as washing the dishes, getting the mail or doing the laundry.

Will my pant size change after a tummy tuck?

Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.

Can your stomach get fat again after a tummy tuck?

Because a tummy tuck is a more extensive surgery, patients need around 10 to 14 days to recover. The results are long-lasting, and the removed fat cells won't grow back—but remaining fat cells may expand and the skin may re-stretch if you gain a large amount of weight.

How do you shower with drains after tummy tuck?

Drains may be secured to a loose loop of pantyhose tied around your waist while showering. A washcloth should be held overlying the drain sites while showering as you gently wash your incisions with soap and running water.

What happens 2 weeks after tummy tuck?

What happens 2 weeks after a tummy tuck? At 2 weeks, there is still swelling in the treatment area, however, the pain, bruising, and feeling of tightness are starting to ease. The patient should continue to wear compression garments.

What happens after 1 year of tummy tuck?

One Year After Surgery

One year later, your abdominoplasty should be fully healed, and results visible. Your inflammation should be gone, and your scar faded. Although the latter will never completely disappear, it should be nearly invisible, and hidden beneath your underwear line.

What are the weight requirements for a tummy tuck?

What is a tummy tuck plus size? This is a plus size plastic surgery procedure that is combined with liposuction and designed to flatten, tighten, and reshape the tummy as well as the waist for high BMI individuals who are overweight from 150lbs to 200lbs.

Is it normal to have diarrhea after a tummy tuck?

Although diarrhea can have many causes, it can also be a side effect of surgery, particularly abdominal surgeries. This may be due to a variety of factors, including bacterial overgrowth or poor absorption of nutrients. With the right self-care, diarrhea will often go away on its own.

What should I wear home from hospital after tummy tuck?

Going Home from the Surgicenter

Dr. LoVerme advises patients to wear loose, baggy clothing to and from surgery. Pick a pair of drawstring pants and a zip-up or button-up top or jacket that can easily slip over the compression garment, bandages and possible drains.