During the first few weeks of tummy tuck recovery, it’s normal to experience sensations such as tightness, tingling or mild discomfort. However, know that these side effects are only temporary and should continue to improve as your body heals.
In this guide, we find out What Helps Tightness After Tummy Tuck, warning signs after tummy tuck, when will my stomach feel normal after tummy tuck, and how long does it take for skin to reattach after tummy tuck.
In the meantime, it can be reassuring to understand what’s causing feelings of tightness after a tummy tuck and what you can do to help speed up your recovery.
What Causes Tightness after a Tummy Tuck?
During your tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Mariotti will create an incision across the lower portion of your abdomen so that excess skin can be removed and tightened. This is what creates the smooth, toned appearance once you’ve healed from your tummy tuck.
As your body adjusts, the newly positioned skin and muscle tissue can feel tight or even hard during the healing process. Additionally, nerves that were cut with the incision will take some time to re-establish their connections, which can cause temporary tingling or itching sensations.
How Long Does Tightness after a Tummy Tuck Last?
Tummy tuck tightness should begin to improve within a few weeks after your procedure. Plan to take around two weeks off work and six weeks off intense exercise to heal after a tummy tuck. For some people, it can take 6 to 12 weeks for all tightness and other related sensations to diminish.
What Helps Tightness After Tummy Tuck
This article explores the tummy tuck recovery journey and explains the common complaint of having a hard stomach after a tummy tuck.
Overview of the tummy tuck surgery
Abdominoplasty surgery is designed to tighten up loose skin, tissues, and muscles in the belly region, particularly for patients who are not getting the desired benefit from diet and exercise. Whether you are looking to alleviate a sagging belly pooch or have a plus size tummy tuck, Dr. LaBarbera has 3 different procedure types to suit the varying needs of his patients. These include:
The incision pattern used by your surgeon during surgery will depend on the type of procedure being performed. Plastic surgeons usually keep incisions to a minimum and make sure to conceal them along the natural folds of the skin. Once the incisions are created, the surgeon will lift up and tighten the skin and underlying tissue before suturing them into place. For patients who have excess fat in the belly area, the surgeon may also use liposuction in order to achieve the desired procedure outcome. Since tummy tuck is an outpatient plastic surgery procedure, patients are allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery.
Tummy tuck recovery timeline
Immediately after the surgery, tummy tuck patients are taken into the surgeon’s recovery room for further monitoring before they are allowed to go home. It is important to have someone to drive you home and help out with basic chores while you recover from the surgery.
Abdominoplasty patients often have drainage tubes that are used to relieve excess fluid from the treatment area. These need to be emptied, and the amount of fluid drained from the wound each day should be recorded. Your mobility will be limited during the first few days. Dr. LaBarbera recommends that you take a light walk as soon as you are able to in order to improve blood flow.
Many patients experience tightness around their belly and you will have to walk while hunched over for a week or two. Your incisions will likely feel sore over the first week. You may need to lie in bed at an angle, and you likely will have problems with standing, lifting things, and general movements.
Tuck tuck patients are able to resume work after about a month, particularly if they have a physically demanding job. However, you will be able to engage in routine daily activities within 1-2 weeks. Scarring is usually a major concern for patients who have just had a tummy tuck, but fades with time. Your surgeon may also recommend scar care ointments to help improve the appearance of your surgical scars.
What causes a pulling feeling after a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty – just like any other surgical procedure – entails cutting into the body. This naturally leads to some nerve damage. Many abdominoplasty patients experience numbness over the lower abdominal area after tummy tuck due to the damaged nerves in the area. With time – as the nerves start to regenerate their proper pathways – the patient will start to experience gradual return of sensation.
Tummy tuck patients may also experience a tight feeling in their belly because the skin has been cut and put back together. More so, muscle tightening during the surgery can lead to a hardened tissue sensation during recovery.
Although you may feel worried about this tightness and pulling sensation, keep in mind that it is a normal part of the healing process. The majority of people who had an abdominoplasty can experience these side effects for up to 12 weeks post-op. In some cases, it takes up to 12 months for the nerves in the abdominal area to properly heal. Once the nerves regain their usual sensory function, it is highly unlikely that this kind of discomfort will return.
What is the treatment for hardened tissue after tummy tuck?
Nerve regeneration is a natural process that follows its own natural timeline. However, you may be able to quicken this process by taking part in the retraining process. Dr. LaBarbera recommends that you gently rub items of different textures across your abdomen. This may include such things as loofahs, washcloths, lotion, and cotton. The goal is to stimulate the nerves to find their proper pathways and heal much quicker. For patients with severe cases of nerve discomfort, the surgeon may recommend medications such as Neurontin. Make sure that you have explicit instructions and a prescription from your doctor before using medication to treat discomfort and a pulling sensation after abdominoplasty.
Tummy tuck recovery tips / FAQs
Now that you know what causes a hard stomach after a tummy tuck, below are some other commonly asked questions to improve your understanding of the recovery process:
When will I feel normal after abdominoplasty surgery?
Most patients feel groggy immediately after tummy tuck surgery, due to the anesthesia. There will also be post-op pain and bruising over the first 1-2 weeks. This pain can be alleviated using a medication, and the discomfort will improve each day. Over the first 2-3 weeks, you will be limited to light activities and may be able to return to a desk job. The average duration for people who have just had an abdominoplasty to feel normal again is 4-6 weeks. Keep in mind though that the precise healing duration will vary from one person to another depending on the type of tummy tuck they had, their age, the kind of post-op care they receive, and their general health.
How long will I be hunched over after tummy tuck?
You will be unable to stand up straight after a tummy tuck procedure. In fact, the surgeon will ask that you stay in a hunched over position in order to keep the treatment area intact. How long you need to stay in this position varies depending on whom you ask. Dr. LaBarbera recommends that his patients hunch over for 1-2 weeks (until they get a green light from him). Once you are allowed to straighten back up, this should be done gently and gradually until you regain your normal, upright posture.
How long will swelling last after a tummy tuck?
Swelling is a natural aspect of the body’s healing process as fluid collects around the treatment site in order to protect the healing tissues. Plastic surgeons often insert drains to drain away excess fluid and relieve pressure from your belly. These are typically removed after 10-14 days, depending on your progress. Once this is done, slight swelling may still persist for weeks or even months – obscuring the outcome of your tummy tuck. Following your surgeon’s instructions is important to ensure that post-op swelling resolves quickly and that you attain a favorable outcome from the surgery.
When will I see final results?
Following a tummy tuck surgery, the shape of your abdomen will improve gradually with recovery. Most patients are able to see a final impression of their new belly in 6 months. It takes about this long for the pink linear scar resulting from the procedure to fade. Dr. LaBarbera advises his patients to use high-quality scar care products to help quicken the fading of scars. These products should, however, only be used after the incision areas have fully healed (which can take up to a few months).
warning signs after tummy tuck
It is important that patients know that all surgery comes with a certain level of risk. Understanding the warning signs to look out for after plastic surgery is essential to mitigate complications before they become serious. This is crucial to ensure proper healing and your overall wellbeing.
At Northwest Plastic Surgery Associates, PLLC, Dr. Stephen P. Hardy and our staff go over some possible signs that indicate that you need to contact us immediately for a follow up appointment. Read on to learn more, and then contact our Missoula, MT practice to schedule your consultation with us.
Pain and Discomfort
After surgery, it is normal to feel some pain for a few days or up to a week. You will be prescribed pain medication to use as directed or over-the-counter medicine to control any tenderness or discomfort.
If you are feeling persistent and severe pain, even after taking your medications, please contact us right away.
Excessive Swelling
A common side effect after any surgery is swelling. You can expect swelling for about 10 days to two weeks after surgery. If the incision area remains swollen, tender, red, or feels hot to the touch, you may have an infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your surgeon right away.
Nerve Damage
It is normal to feel some tingling or numbness after the procedure. If this symptom continues for several weeks, talk to your doctor right away as it could become permanent.
Bruising That Doesn’t Fade
You can anticipate bruising for about 10 days to two weeks. If the bruises last longer than 10 days, spread, deepen in color, or become hard to touch, then it may be turning into a hematoma.
A hematoma occurs when the blood pools under the skin but doesn’t drain. This may require our team to perform another procedure to drain the blood.
Excessive Bleeding
Minor bleeding may continue for a couple of days after surgery. If you normally take blood thinners, you will need to stop taking them a few days prior to surgery.
Continual bleeding can increase the time it takes for the wounds to heal and means it is not healing properly. Contact us right away should the bleeding last longer than a few days.
Tissue Necrosis
This is also known as tissue death and can occur after any surgery. During the normal healing process, dead tissue cells should be eliminated. If the incisions appear abnormal in appearance, your surgeon will need to take a closer look.
Heat and Fever
A fever is a universal sign of infection. If you begin running a fever and the incision sites feel excessively warm to touch, it is possible that an infection has set in.
Possible Infection
Pain after surgery should be manageable and improve after a few days. Any unusual collection of fluid, discharge coming from the incision site, or strange smells could be a sign of infection and should be addressed with your surgeon immediately.
Blood Clots
This is a common risk after any surgery. A blood clot can be life-threatening. The most common type of blood clot is called deep vein thrombosis, which begins in the leg. If it moves through the veins near the heart or lungs, it could be fatal.
Blood clots require immediate medical attention. Patients can reduce their risk by walking the first few days after surgery to keep circulation going throughout the body.
when will my stomach feel normal after tummy tuck
Recovery times vary
There is no single answer for how long it will take to recover from a tummy tuck. Like any surgical procedure, there is a general time frame, but individual recoveries are based on a variety of factors, including the following:
After the procedure is complete, your surgeon will discuss a more specific timeline for your recovery, but generally speaking, most patients begin feeling more normal around the eight-week mark.
Why the type of tuck matters
There are several types of tummy tucks that can be performed. You can get a full or more involved “extended tummy tuck,” or you can get a “mini” tuck, which only focuses on a small area in the lower abdomen.
The more extensive your abdominal contouring is, the longer it may take to recover fully. This is especially true if you opt for an extended tummy tuck because these can involve the flanks, lower back and lower chest.
What to expect during tummy tuck recovery
The most important thing to remember during this process is that you should follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. Don’t hesitate to contact the doctor’s office if you have questions or concerns.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck is always recommended because he or she has met stringent training and safety requirements that other surgeons have not. Your board-certified plastic surgeon can offer recovery advice and assistance throughout the healing process.
1. Immediately after surgery
Directly following a tummy tuck, your abdomen will be covered with surgical dressing. In many cases, there will be thin, small tubes placed around your incision in order to drain any fluid that builds up around it. This is common and shouldn’t cause you any additional discomfort.
You will need to rest at an angle for the first few days of recovery and will be given instructions to move about to help prevent any blood clots.
2. When you’re home
It’s important to line up help for at least the first day or two that you’re home following surgery. You will be prescribed pain medications and have somewhat limited mobility, so you will not be able to drive yourself home.
Once home, you will likely have difficulty with bending, lifting or standing for prolonged periods of time, so having someone to help around the house during the initial period after tummy tuck surgery can make recovery significantly easier.
3. Daily maintenance
Your doctor will teach you how to properly care for your incision and drainage tubes for the duration of your recovery.
Most patients are given antibiotics and anticoagulants to take for a certain length of time, and some are given topical creams to apply around the incision site.
You will have an abdominal support garment or wrap that will help with swelling and discomfort during recovery, so it’s important to wear it for the recommended amount of time each day.
Smoking and drinking alcohol can seriously inhibit your recovery, so they should be avoided for at least three months post-surgery.
4. Resuming normal life
If you have young children, you will want to enlist help to assist with childcare, as squatting or picking up children (or heavy objects for that matter) for the first few weeks is strongly advised against. However, driving, cooking or shopping is often manageable after a week or two.
Most people opt to take up to a month off work for recovery. If you have a physically demanding job, it’s especially important to take plenty of time off so that you don’t jeopardize your recovery. You will also want to avoid exercise during this time for the same reasons.
5. Long-term effects
Some people experience numbness or a pulling sensation for weeks or months after a tummy tuck, but this is typically normal and often fades with time. It can take up to three months for the swelling and bruising to go down completely, and it may take longer than that for your scar to fade.
Recovery is a process
Working closely with your plastic surgeon and surgery team to understand and prepare for post-surgery life can help make your recovery seamless. A tummy tuck can be a wonderful way to achieve the aesthetic goals you have for yourself, just remember to be kind to your body, and focus on doing everything you can to recover fully from the procedure.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
how long does it take for skin to reattach after tummy tuck
There are several aspects of healing that can be compromised by exercise.
1. In the first 10 days after surgery, there is a risk of pulling open a blood vessel and getting bleeding into the wound. For this reason, we encourage limited exertion and movement in the surgical area after any surgery.
2. The first three weeks after surgery are critical to the skin/fat layer reattaching to the fascia/muscle layer. If the two layers don’t reconnect, there can be a permanent space that will fill with fluid (Seroma). We recommend use of an abdominal binder as a splint to remind our patients to avoid movement across the abdomen for the first three weeks after surgery. After that, patients can begin exercise, but should avoid any movement that causes pain (pain being a sign that the early wound is being aggravated).
If a repair of diastasis/fascial/hernia repair is performed, then we also recommend avoiding any strain on the muscles of the abdomen until 6 weeks post-op. Typically, our patients are back on ellipticals by three weeks post-op.
3. At 6 weeks after surgery, healing is not complete, but the wound strength is about 50% of normal and should allow for normal exercise to begin. Even at 6 weeks, energy levels will be down, and we recommend a gradual return to normal exercise and work duties over the next 4 weeks.