
Tightening of the abdominal muscles also creates some discomfort when completely upright therefore staying slightly bent at the waist is more comfortable during the first week and takes pressure of the incision. #10: Walker/cane:Ī tummy tuck naturally puts tension on the horizontal closure. We are always looking for ideas to provide our patients a better tummy tuck experience. I encourage anyone who reads this list and has advice of their own to comment below.
How do I walk when I am supposed to be bent over?īelow is my list of ten best tummy tuck recovery tips that I have learned from my own patients that have been through the process and have come up with great solutions to common hurdles. Many of my own Scottsdale patients wonder: Above all else, however, there is concern of the unknown. There is both a financial investment as well as a time investment in the recovery process. If you would like to learn more about the tummy tuck procedure from an experienced plastic surgeon in the Chandler, AZ, area, please contact us online or call (480) 466-7355.Undergoing a tummy tuck can be a daunting decision to make. To see examples of the results you can expect once your tummy tuck recovery is complete, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery. Stock up on pre-made meals and arrange for rides and help with childcare, if needed. Move objects into easy-to-reach locations and make sure you won’t need to lift anything too heavy. Keeping your upper body elevated minimizes swelling and limits the stress you put on your abdominal muscles when transitioning from resting to standing. Lightly walking around a day or 2 after your surgery greatly reduces your likelihood of blood clots and promotes healing in your body. Eat nutritionally rich foods and drink plenty of water to give your body all the tools it needs to heal quickly and effectively. Here are a few things you can do to set yourself up for the best possible recovery: Your scars will continue to flatten and fade for the next few months. At this time, swelling should start to decrease. It’s important to listen to your body as you do to make sure you’re not putting excessive stress on your abdomen. Weeks 3 to 6: You’ll gradually return to exercise and more physically demanding jobs. You can ease off wearing your compression garment at this time. Week 2: You’ll be able to return to your job if it is not physically demanding. You might not have drains in place if you opted for only a mini tummy tuck. Days 7 to 10: Your surgical drains, the tubes that prevent fluid buildup, will be removed in our office. You’ll wear a compression garment to limit swelling, and you’re encouraged to take short walks around the house to promote good circulation.
Days 1 to 3: You’ll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home from your procedure and look after you, especially if you have children or pets that need extra care.Your timeline will look something like the following: Tummy tuck recovery typically takes about 6 weeks in total. What Will My Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline Look Like? It typically requires a general anesthetic, but you can usually return home the same day.
The surgery requires 2 incisions, 1 along the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone, and 1 around the bellybutton that allows me to reposition it after the skin is pulled downward. Learn more about diastasis recti in our previous blog post. What Is a Tummy Tuck?Ī tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that tones and contours the midsection by removing excess skin and tightening loose or separated abdominal muscles called diastasis recti. Read on to learn more about the tummy tuck recovery experience and what you can do to set yourself up for a comfortable and restorative healing process. The key is knowing what to expect and taking a few essential steps to make your recuperation as smooth and speedy as possible. With the right preparation, however, most people find healing from a tummy tuck to be manageable and well worth the long-lasting results. A tummy tuck at my Scottsdale-area plastic surgery practice can make a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your abdomen, but it does require a bit of recovery time.