A tummy tuck is surgery to remove fat and skin from your belly and to tighten the stomach muscles. It is also called an abdominoplasty. The surgery makes your belly look flatter.
Your belly will be sore and swollen for the first week after surgery. You may need to wear a compression garment as you heal. The skin on your stomach will be mostly numb for several weeks to months. Feeling will return slowly. It’s normal to feel tired while you are healing. It can take 5 to 6 weeks for your energy to return.
You may not be able to stand up straight when you first come home, but this will improve. You’ll need to get up and walk every day to regain your normal movement. Between walks, move your feet and legs often.
A tummy tuck leaves a long scar that will fade with time. You also may have a small scar around your belly button.
The length of recovery from a tummy tuck can vary from person to person. Generally, it takes 3 months if not longer to feel completely recovered. Although the majority of the healing period is within the first couple of weeks, it is important to put off important plans, physical activities, and work stresses during recovery. Strenuous activities such as weight lifting, running, sports, motorbikes etc should be avoided for at least six weeks after surgery.
Below are some routine things you need to care for as you heal after your surgery:
- Compression garments;
- You will be given a compression garment to wear after surgery.
- This will reduce swelling and support the abdomen.
- It promotes healing and recovery.
- You should expect to wear this for between two weeks and two months depending on your healing progress and your surgeon instructions.
- Incision care;
- The incision wound is covered by a surgical dressing or bandage to keep it safe from the external environment.
- You will be instructed about what to do and when regarding wound care.
- You should keep your wound clean and remain gentle with it to avoid injury or bleeding.
- Any swelling, intense pain or discharge from the wound should be immediately reported to your surgeon.
- Drain care;
- A temporary tube MAY be placed in the surgical site under your skin following tummy tuck surgery.
- This is only used when required and will be removed once fluid stops accumulating.
- Antibiotics and painkillers;
- You will be given a prescription for both antibiotics and painkillers.
- These are to be taken orally to reduce the risk of postoperative infection as well as to help you manage your pain levels.
Some recovery tips following tummy tuck are:
- Take pain medication as directed
- Wear a compression garment
- Use ice packs to minimize pain and swelling
- Limit jerky and quick movements
- Move around the house to keep your circulation going. In other words, do not be too stationary.
- Drink lots of water
- Get adequate bed rest
- Don’t stay in one position too long
Activities following tummy tuck surgery:
An important question after tummy tuck is how soon can patients return to their daily activities after a tummy tuck? Below is the general activity guideline. The information supplied is general in nature and you should always confirm with your surgeon before undertaking any of the below, no matter what we of recovery you are in.
Exercise: Exercise is an important part of recovery following tummy tuck surgery. Follow the instructions given by your doctor. Exercise combined with healthy eating will maximize your tummy tuck result.
Week 1 and 2
- Wear a compression garment for four to six weeks after surgery. It maximizes tummy tuck results and reduces swelling.
- Walk for a short distance while maintaining a flexed posture. Your abdominal muscle and fascia will be protected from being pulled, by walking flexed.
- You should be able to return to your job at the end of two weeks, as long as your job is not physically demanding.
Week 3 and 4
- You can resume light exercises like walking and recumbent cycling.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
- Do not do exercises that target the abdominal muscles. This includes sits ups and weight lifting.
- Avoid jarring steps, work in a continuous motion.
Before resuming exercise always confirm with your surgeon as everyone’s recovery differs.
Week’s 4 to 6
- You can start a normal exercise routine at a low level.
- Exercises including;
- low-impact aerobics
- water aerobics
- long walks
- and very low weight lifting for arms and legs can be done.
- Ease your way back into things.
It is important to take it slow and pay attention to any warning signs such as pain or discomfort.
Weeks 6 to 8
- Generally, you will receive the all-clear for most types of aerobic activity at this point.
- Running outside or on a treadmill can be done.
- Moderate swimming can be done at around 8 weeks.
- Body strengthening exercise including heavy lifting can be done without putting too much strain on the abdominal wall.
- Remember, you won’t be able to start training where you were before surgery you need to build back up slowly.
After week 8
- Most lifestyle and exercise activities can resume with the exception of martial arts, boxing, Cross Fit, F45 and anything on a similar level. You need to wait until the three-month mark before you resume this kind of activity.
Driving after Tummy Tuck
You will need to take some time off following your tummy tuck surgery. You should not rush to get behind the wheel after surgery. The healing time should be uneventful to get optimum results.
As tummy tuck recovery varies from person to person, there is no standard answer for how much time you need to avoid driving after tummy tuck surgery. Therefore, it’s best to use your body as a guide and only go short distances to start with. Your surgeon will advise you.
Safety reasons to avoid driving after tummy tuck surgery;
- After surgery, you will not be able to drive due to anaesthesia. This is because anaesthesia can cause tiredness and confusion.
- You will not be able to operate a car or any machinery after waking up from anaesthesia for a couple of days.
- Furthermore, surgery can cause pain and exhaustion. On average, anaesthesia drugs remain in your body for up to 24 hours before leaving your system.
- You cannot drive yourself home after surgery, you will need a family member or friend to take you home and stay with you for a couple of days.
- After surgery, your body movement will be tender. Even simple things like turning your body to see a blind spot, opening the car door can be harder and painful along with delayed reaction times.
- Turning the wheel can be difficult as it requires core strength.
- For the above reasons it is not safe to drive until you are recovered and truly feel ready.
How to know when you are ready to drive?
Driving after tummy tuck surgery does not have a specific timeline and completely depends upon your recovery and pain levels. You should assess yourself in the car before you start to drive again. For example:
- Can you sit comfortably in a car?
- Can you open the door without difficulties?
- Is there any rubbing or pressure when you put on a seatbelt?
- Can you turn the wheel comfortably?
- Can you make an emergency stop to make a sharp turn to avoid an accident?
It is also important to note that driving is not recommended using certain pain medications. If you feel ready to do all of these things, then you are ready to drive. Usually, you have to wait 2-3 weeks after surgery to start driving.
Swimming after Tummy Tuck
You need to make sure you’ve had enough time to recover before you start swimming again. Swimming can take place in most cases, at the 8-week mark. You need to have had an uneventful recovery.
- Swimming can increase the risk of infection if the incision site isn’t fully healed.
- This is due to the fact that swimming pools and other bodies of water can carry a lot of germs and bacteria. While skin protects them from entering into the body. Incisions that are not healed properly are vulnerable to infection.
- Swimming can cause splitting of the incision site if done too soon as your body stretches out during the activity which can, in turn, stretch your scar or re-open it.
- Help scar heals optimally. If scars are exposed to the sun, it will impair how they heal.
- Even after you get the green signal to swim, ensure adequate protection to your scar and apply waterproof sunscreen before taking a dip.
- Typically, we instruct patients to take a break of a minimum of 6 weeks but preferably 8 weeks before submerging any incision in the ocean or pool.
Sexual Intercourse after Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck procedure will involve stitching together the abdominal muscles so they appear firm and toned. Muscle tightening is combined with abdominal skin being sutured together, this is why you should avoid sexual activity right after a tummy tuck surgery. It is necessary to allow the abdomen to heal and the incision to close before placing stress on them. Irrespective of position, sex puts too much stress on your healing abdomen.
The extent of the procedure and how you will recover will both play roles in how soon you can engage in intimacy. A patient requiring minimal surgery may be able to have sex after two weeks. However, following tummy tuck surgery you should wait until at least four weeks as a standard guideline.
Always ask your surgeon if you’re unsure about anything.
Do’s and Don’ts after Tummy tuck surgery
Do follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions
After surgery, your surgeon will provide postoperative guidance to maximize your comfort and encourage recovery. Typical instructions might include:
- Taking pain medication and antibiotics at regular intervals.
- Wearing support compression garments for approximately six weeks.
- Wearing comfortable underwear, specifically, ones that don’t put pressure on your incision.
- No exercise, swimming or driving until they clear you.
It is important to remember that a tummy tuck takes time to produce a result. It can take months or even up to a year for your body to fully recover and adapt to its new improved figure. There will be scarring, however, this will fade over time as you heal. The incision scars are made as low as possible and hidden within underwear where possible.
Don’t overexert yourself after the Tummy Tuck procedure
Spend at least a few days relaxing at home after your tummy tuck. You can take a short walk after a few days and light exercise after a few weeks. The more you are active, the more prompt the recovery. Staying active will help to reduce swelling, minimize the risk of blood clots and make you feel better too.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Tummy tuck recovery is a lengthy process and can take months. You will have both good and bad days. You should have realistic expectations as you are healing, follow the surgeon’s advice, and discuss any concerns you are dealing with.
Abdominoplasty Vs Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty are different names for the same cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin, fat deposits, and muscle tissue in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck is an informal name while abdominoplasty is the scientific one.
This type of plastic surgery is extremely popular because people can achieve their perfect body with this popular surgery. It involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area under a general anesthetic. It can also fix hernias and other abdominal issues.
If you’re considering getting a tummy tuck, then here are a few things that you need to know about it.
Gastrointestinal Problems After Tummy Tuck
Bloating, gas pains, and abdominal distention are common features of tummy tuck recovery. Taking pain medication is part of the reason this is seen as it can effect intestinal motility or movement. The medication can cause constitution also. But what I have found unique is the bloating is more visible because the stomach is flatter and excess tissue has been removed with an abdominoplasty.