The tummy tuck procedure is intended to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen, and tighten the muscles beneath. It can also be used to improve the shape of a patient’s waist. The result is a slimmer waistline that enhances your figure.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep throughout the operation and will not feel any pain. You’ll have a small incision hidden in the bikini area or lower abdomen, depending on your surgeon’s preference. The scar will fade over time, but will likely remain visible for several years.
Generally, it takes about four weeks for most patients to return to work after tummy tuck surgery. However, there are some occupations that may require less downtime. These includes jobs that don’t require you to drive very far, nor heavy lifting or being very physical. With some occupations, you may be able to get back to work in two weeks.
Work from home jobs
Some patients feel well enough to do light computer work a day or two after surgery. Maybe answer some quick emails. Most patients report their physical discomfort peaks on the second day after surgery, then gradually subsides. Therefore, it is best to not make any work commitments for the first few days, even if you are working from home.
If you have to do Skype meetings or video conferences, bear in mind ‘getting ready’ to look presentable when you are feeling weak may be an unnecessary strain. Physical movement will be limited. It’s best to push video meetings and work obligations back at least a few days post-op.
If you can answer a few emails or feel up to doing some work from home in the first week, then great. But it is important not to push yourself. It’s worth considering the type of tummy tuck, as this factors into recovery time. The extent of skin removal affects how you might feel in the days after surgery. For example, mini tummy tuck recovery is faster than a full tummy tuck, which has an easier recovery than a body lift or belt lipectomy.
In essence, the more time you can take off work, the better. Since you can’t predict exactly how you will be feeling shortly after surgery. Generally 1-2 weeks would be the ideal scenario for patients that work from home.
Sedentary workers
Receptionists and office workers fall in this category. While four weeks is the average time off work after a full tummy tuck, sedentary workers with a small to moderate amount of skin removal may feel well enough to return to work at two weeks. That is, if you don’t have to drive very far or do much lifting, moving, or walking at the office.
Then there are sedentary jobs that require a small amount of physical activity. One example could be a toll booth worker. While it does not require much physical activity to perform a job such as this, consider how much reaching or turning your body is needed to do the task. These small movements can add up during the day.
The bottom line is, even if you have a sedentary career, be realistic about how much walking, driving, bending or lifting you must do every day. The more physical activity, the longer the time off work
Athletes, manual laborers, warehouse workers, gardeners, etc.
This category is for people with physically demanding careers. These patients will usually need at least 4-6 weeks off work. The more skin removal that was done, the more time off may be needed.
Athletes and heavy lifters of all kinds should be cautious not to strain themselves too hard in the first 6 weeks post-op. Modified physical activity may be necessary in these early stages of healing. However, if you had a lighter surgery such as a mini tummy tuck, it will be less of a problem.
Individual healing can also vary greatly. Everyone’s body is different. For this reason, it is also important to listen to your body. While a small amount of discomfort is normal in the first few weeks post-op, avoid overexerting yourself physically.
Stay at home mom
Arguably, the most important job in the world is being a mother. Taking care of kids can certainly be a lot of work. Many tummy tuck patients come in to remove loose skin after having a baby.
Whether you are a stay-at-home mum or a working mum, those are big shoes to fill. Recovery time is an important consideration. After all, mums needs to know when they can return to motherly duties after a tummy tuck.Why do new mums need loose skin removal after pregnancy?
Pregnancy stretches the skin on the tummy. While some women bounce back quickly after giving birth, others are left with loose skin. This is more common after multiple pregnancies.
Age, genetics and lifestyle choices, such as a history of smoking, can also be a factor in skin elasticity. This can contribute to poor elastin production. Elastin is a protein made by the skin. It is responsible for elasticity so your skin can stretch. The more elastin, the better belly skin will expand and then contract after pregnancy.
Types of tummy tuck surgeries
A cosmetic surgeon may recommend one of the following tummy tuck surgery procedures to help give you a firmer, flatter, abdominal contour with minimal scarring:
Mini Tummy Tuck: If you’re mainly concerned about stretch marks and loose skin below your belly button, then the mini tummy tuck surgery is the ideal option. This procedure involves making one horizontal incision below your belly button, from which your surgeon then effectively tightens the loose abdominal muscles. Surplus skin is also removed to create a flat and firm abdominal wall.
Mini tummy tuck surgeries usually take a relatively shorter time and will often have a faster recovery time, along with minimal scarring. Expect a thin scar, usually a couple of inches, along with a firmer and flatter lower abdomen.
Full or Classic Tummy Tuck: This tummy tuck addresses both the upper and lower abdomen areas and will typically yield great results in removing excess fat. Your cosmetic surgeon will use either a U-shaped or horizontal incision below the belly button or the navel. Excess fat and skin are then eliminated to achieve a slim abdomen that looks natural.
The full or classic tummy tuck will typically leave a longer scar due to the extensive incisions required. However, the scar will hide below a swimsuit bottom. This type of tummy tuck benefits includes a considerably smoother, slimmer abdomen with fewer stretch marks and more comfort wearing skirts and pants.
Extended Tummy Tuck: The extended abdominoplasty is the standard tummy tuck that includes recontouring the flanks, hips, or even lateral thigh. It is quite useful for those who have experienced significant weight loss and are now dealing with excessively saggy skin on their abdomen. In most cases, the surgeon will perform liposuction around the flanks during the tummy tuck.
Risks
A tummy tuck poses various risks, including:
- Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma). Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid. Your doctor might also remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe.
- Poor wound healing. Sometimes areas along the incision line heal poorly or begin to separate. You might be given antibiotics during and after surgery to prevent an infection.
- Unexpected scarring. The incision scar from a tummy tuck is permanent, but it’s typically placed along the easily hidden bikini line. The length and visibility of the scar varies from person to person.
- Tissue damage. During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
- Changes in skin sensation. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of your abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. You’ll likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.
Like any other type of major surgery, a tummy tuck poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia.
How you prepare
You’ll talk to a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:
- Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you’ve had.Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications. If your desire for a tummy tuck is related to weight loss, your doctor will likely ask detailed questions about your weight gain and loss.
- Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the doctor will examine your abdomen. The doctor might also take pictures of your abdomen for your medical record.
- Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want a tummy tuck, and what you’re hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure, including scarring. Keep in mind that previous abdominal surgery might limit your results.
Before a tummy tuck you might also need to:
- Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. In addition, smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
- Avoid certain medications. You’ll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
- Maintain a stable weight. Ideally, you’ll maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months before having a tummy tuck. If you’re severely overweight, your doctor will recommend that you lose weight before the procedure. Significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish your results.
- Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.
Which tummy tuck is right for me?
If you’re looking to get a tummy tuck, you’ve probably seen that there are a lot of options out there. The first thing to consider is whether you want to have a full abdominoplasty or a mini-tummy tuck. A full abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening muscles.
If you’re looking to have more than just skin tightening, but also some muscle tightening, then this might be the procedure for you. On the other hand, if you’re not interested in muscle tightening but would like some extra skin removal, then a mini-tummy tuck might be right for you.
Another factor to consider when deciding whether to go with a mini-tummy tuck or full abdominoplasty is how many incisions will be required to do the surgery.
If your doctor recommends that one or two small incisions are all that’s needed, then you may want to choose this option as it will be much less painful and scarring afterward than if he requires more incisions (though there is no guarantee that multiple incisions are always necessary).
When will my stomach feel normal after tummy tuck?
Let’s be honest…A tummy tuck is a big operation and you can expect it to take a couple of months before you get back to normal. There are many types of tummy tucks, and the recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the surgery.
Tummy tuck recovery stages
Below, you’ll find a handy timeline for what to expect after tummy tuck surgery. Again, keep in mind the extent of your surgery can vary. For example, a mini tummy tuck is far less invasive than an extended Sculpt tummy tuck, which means a shorter recovery time. Your mileage may vary.
Now that we’ve said that, let’s dive into a typical tummy tuck recovery timeline that you may find useful as you prepare for tummy tuck surgery:
Week 1: This is no doubt the most difficult part of tummy tuck recovery. Tummy tuck pain, swelling and even bruising are common.You may even regret having a tummy tuck. Don’t worry – these feelings are normal and this, too, shall pass.
You’ll be walking bent over at this point, and will be spending most of your time resting from the comfort of your bed or sofa. Walking every day is vital to recovery. Even just a few minutes every few hours can help.
Driving is off limits for the first 2-3 weeks.
At the 7 day mark, you will come in for a follow-up appointment. Dr. Beldholm will change the PICO dressings. Click here to learn the benefits of PICO negative pressure dressings.
Week 2: The worst is behind you. You’ll still have some discomfort, but it will decrease day by day. Swelling is still prevalent. Numbness in the lower abdomen is also normal. Your tummy still feels tender, so you will likely still need help around the house from friends, family members or an aid. By day 10, most patients will start walking upright. You’re doing great. Hang in there!
Week 3: Congrats! Most patients are allowed to start driving after a tummy tuck at 2 to 3 weeks. Now that you can drive, it frees you up to have a lot more independence. You’ll still need assistance carrying heavy groceries, etc. at this point, though. By now, you should be feeling a lot better overall.
Swelling, discomfort and bruising will decrease greatly by this stage.
The lower tummy will most likely still be numb and feel a bit “alien” for the time being. That’s because the sensory nerves in the skin were damaged during surgery (this is normal, after all, you just had surgery). Feeling will return eventually. Numbness usually subsides within 3 months as the nerves repair themselves.
Week 4: Most patients return to work around 4 weeks post-op. Returning to work signals how far you have made it in recovery. It also helps patients feel good knowing they are back in a familiar routine, so you will start to feel more “normal” again.
Week 5-8: Each day is easier and easier. You will be amazed at how far you have come in such a short time. The worst of the swelling will start going away 1 to 2 months after surgery. Most patients can resume a full exercise routine at the 8-week mark.
Exercising after tummy tuck is beneficial. It not only shows how far you have come physically, but exercise can also improve your tummy tuck results by keeping you fit and healthy. You’ll also be able to handle lifting heavy objects like groceries without assistance, which makes life easier.
Week 9: You’ve made it to the 3-month mark. This is when most of Dr. Beldholm’s patients say they really start feeling “back to normal”. Some swelling will still be present, but it will be substantially less than it was a few weeks ago. There shouldn’t be any pain or discomfort at this stage and you will be completely independent. The scars will still be red at this stage. It can take a long time for surgical scars to mature.
In the weeks and months that follow, you will notice swelling reduce even more. As the swelling settles, your tummy tuck results will become more visible. It’s amazing to see the transformation that takes place.
Remember, just a few months ago you had a totally different body with loose skin and unwanted fat that made you feel pretty low. Clothes will fit better now, and you will start feeling more like yourself as you get used to your beautiful, flat tummy.
How long until I see the results of a tummy tuck?
Getting a tummy tuck is a big landmark in many patients’ lives. It is no wonder that they feel both excited and anxious to see the results of surgery. After all, it took a lot of time and effort finding the right surgeon, taking time off work, arranging rides to doctor appointments, etc. Not to mention, the cost of tummy tuck surgery.
After all that, of course patients wish they could see results right away. The truth is, you will see a noticeable improvement immediately after surgery. That unwanted loose skin and fat will finally be gone for good. But — and this is a BIG “but” — it takes a while to see the final results because of the swelling after surgery.
In Doctor Bernard’s experience, 12 to 18 months is how long it takes to see the final results of tummy tuck surgery. However, you will feel “normal” again by the 3-month mark.
Tummy tuck scar fading is usually what takes the longest. (Hint: If you want to fade tummy tuck scars faster, try Laser Genesis to reduce scar redness.)
Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
Although there are certainly medical and functional benefits to be gained through a tummy tuck, the procedure is not typically covered by insurance. Some related procedures, such as the panniculectomy – which is used to remove the excess skin of the pannus after weight loss – may be covered by insurance in certain cases.
Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?
Yes! Many patients choose to combine their tummy tuck with additional procedures in order to maximize the results of their transformation as well as to cut down on expensive surgical fees in the long run. After weight loss patients may choose to have a tummy tuck, arm lift (brachioplasty), and thigh lift all performed simultaneously, for instance.
Another example of a combined procedure is the mommy makeover, which can be highly beneficial for women who have had children – and even those who haven’t. Some of the procedures most commonly combined with a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL).