Can we stand up straight after tummy tuck?

I am 19 days post op...today is the beginning of my 2nd week back working and I wish i'd had 3 weeks or even 2 full weeks off. I was 12 po when I went back and it was ONLY because I was starting a new job.

By mid day the swelling is uncomfortable (I have a desk job) today was def better than last week but still draining and taking its toll physically.

As far as standing up straight...I'm still slightly hunched and when I remove my compression garment or spanx I can't stand up straight. If you can take more time off do it, your healing process will be better.

I have a pretty good tolerance for pain...I have 4 children...with my 1st child I had NO meds, no epidural...nothing! The last 2 by c-section...c-section doesn't even prepare you for this pain.

Sorry so long winded but I want you to be informed and have time so your body heals.

Thanks everybody, i think i will take your advice and take 2 weeks off of work. My surgeon must be nuts. I have had a couple of abdominal surgeries and went right back to work, gallbladder, and tubal ligation reversal surgery. The second surgery i had a 8 inch cut on the bikini line. I know its no comparison. i guess worse case i can tell them i am not ready after the fact.

My doc told me a minimum of 2 weeks, but preferably 3. I'm taking 3.

I sit mostly, but work alone and do have customers come in occasionally. I won't be able to lift anything for them, won't be able to spend as long in the bathroom, and may be very uncomfortable even sitting that long. At least, I only work 3 days a week - 6 hours on Thurs and Fri, and 7 on Sat. Hubby can do the Sats. for me, if need be.

If I feel really bad, I will just put a sign on the door saying gone home sick, and leave early. It's only about a 3 to 5 minute drive home, so that's a relief - I don't have to deal with commuter traffic.

Right now, after Feb 2 surgery, I am still really hunched over. I told hubby today that I feel like I look like my mother did - all hunched over with osteoporosis.

Jamie, I wore my binder for at least a month, probably longer. Then, I wore spanx or other tummy control things for at least another month. I still have some swelling at 5 months, but it's better all the time.

My doc told me to not plan to buy new clothes until at LEAST 4 months, and he was right.

I still have bad burning and feeling stretching it's like someone is trying to pull me apart and feels like someones cutting me again w fire it's all the time. How long did u feel pain cause everyone I know that's had this done says somethings wrong cause they were good after 2-3 weeks. I'm worried. I try and make myself walk and clean and sit in the hot tub everyday to help. And ice it. Did u hAve any of this at 7 weeks? I can't wait to buy clothes:) I got some long dresses to wear now cause shorts don't fit. I'm so frustrated!!

To Jjamie37. I'm so sorry to hear about all the pain and discomfort you are going through. I'm 4 1/2 weeks post op from full tummy tuck and BA. I know everyone heals differently. I personally (I can say I have high tolerance in pain) and was fortunate that I didn't suffer much of any pain. Pain scale of 1-10, mine was 1-2 at the max. I hardly had any pain. Only thing was the discomfort. Not able to stand up straight which cause so much back pain and often the spasm (especially in the morning). The tightness and burning sensation you've mentioned. I'm experiencing very similar. Depends on the time of the day. I feel my muscle is pulling me down where I have harder time standing up (don't know about the burning sensation though). To me, it seems I can stand up little better during in the morning and the evening. I still slouch (very noticeable). I read often from this forum that so many are able to stand up straight within about 2 weeks (they are so lucky! lol). Now, as far as buying new clothes. I gave up on that for now. I don't even get on my scale. I don't want to even know how much I've gained. Pre-op I was 121 lbs and I did weight myself one day post op and was at 130 lbs (I'm thinking it's from the swelling). None of my clothes fits right now. And still have this kangaroo pouch looking from the swollen middle of my tummy below incision line and still much swollen above incision line and around and above belly button. The swollen near my bully bottom and above incision line. My ps tried using the needle to get the fluid out (he swears that there are some fluid trapped in there) but two attempts during different days of follow up. No fluid coming out from the area. So, we are waiting it out til the swelling goes down. My ps tells me I should see a great improvement within 3 months mark. I'm just patiently waiting for that day and hoping that my PS is right. Just yesterday, I started having this shooting pain on my left breast (first pain I actually called PS and asked about). He says it's normal now that the muscles are awakening. Just to massage them gently and take motrine to ease the pain. Today, I've noticed that the shooting pain has gone away, instead it is now very tender and sore on that area. I have my next follow up (2 weeks since my last visit) tomorrow with my PS. I have tons of questions to ask him. I'm making the lists as we speak. lol. I truly hope you heal safely and that the pain you're experiencing would go away sooner rather than later. Best wishes to you and to everyone~ (including myself of course lol)

I'm glad ur pain is getting better. Today hits my 7 weeks in and I still don't stand up straight w/ bad mussel pain. I was at hospital lastnight w really bad burning in one spot and gotten worse. I was running a fever so they thought I had infection. I took a catscan but came back negative which is good but don't know what this pain is. I'm getting really upset cause I hav a 6 year old who I can't do things with. It sucks. I hope I can get better soon. Hope your doctor visit goes good it was nice to get the tape removed but it felt wierd w/ out. I have the worse pain tolerance . I can't take it well lol I've had 4 now 5 surgeries with a bad labor and I'm not good with the pain still. This deffinetly is the worse out of my other surgeries( not plastic I had things wrong w me like my knee and gallstones( that's painful) and gallbladder and more. I hav the worst if luck with pain I hate it my mom keeps telling me to go take a pain class lol anyway good luck

You are going through a lot. I am glad there is no infection. Cuz that would make things worse top of what you are dealing with already and If you haven't already. I should go see your PS and talk to him about the problems. Tightness is normal but the burning sensation you are describing of, just doesn't sound normal? (but I'm no doctor). Has anyone else experienced that burning sensation?. To change bit of the subject. Our moms are our worst critic aside from our own selves. My mom tells me I look like I've aged 10 years since the procedures lol. And, I made need a face lift by the time I heal from the current procedures. How can we not love our moms LOL. Of course, like most of us who have gone or going through this, is experiencing lost of energy. One thing for me is that, I happen to lost the feeling of hunger? Meaning, I don't feel or get hungry? I eat cuz my head tells me that I have to but I don't get a signal from my body saying "feed me". One on the list of questions. Oh btw, you said you just had your tape removed? Assuming the stri strip that they apply after the TT on incision line? why so long? In most cases, tape falls off on it's own in about 2 weeks. Mine came off during my first shower which was at 2 weeks after my PS gave me the "go". Til then, I was only allowed sponge bath and avoiding the incision area. Keep me and us posted and let us know how you are doing and the progress. Good LUCK!!

I am scared! My doctor said I can come back to full work ( no desk job) more harder that that in 10 days!

They took tape off in my 2 weeks to get my stitches out then they retaped it. On my 4 week checkup they removed it. I actually went to my doctor about pain and he actually told me it's in my head and I'm fine! That's nice huh. Cause the nurse said he does this all day everyday and they ve never had anyone in this pain after this long so it could never happen. I was pissed! I got a catscan and ultra sound both r negative so at least I kn nothing seriously wrong just wierd nerve or mussel pain I guess. This is just a nightmare I can't wait till it's over! Lol I don't eat slot either I do get hungry cause I eat half of what I use too. But I eat like a couple of bites then I'm full. I use to eat alot. I was not a big girl I'm skinny but I had big belly from pregancy 6 years ago. From all my surgeries I was on bed rest for about 2 years after my daughter was born so I never lost the belly. Hopefully ull better then me I feel like I'm never going to get better it's so frustrating. Hav a good day

Not yet! My surgery is schedule this 22th... But I am having serious doubts mainly due to the recovery process and the fact I cannot have more than 10 days in a row of vacations. I don't know what to do !! I really wanted so badly have a tummy tuck :-(