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Sore and stiff muscles after tummy tuck

By marilize on 30 Jan 2010

I had a tummy tuck 8 days ago, muscles very stiff and sore. is this normal, and how long will this keep up?

View 32 doctor answers to Tummy Tuck Recovery

Comments (37)

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bullheaded80 22 Feb 2010

I am 2 weeks post op tomorrow, I had a full TT with muscle repair, lipo of inner/outer thighs, banana roll, and love handles. At 8 days post op my PS said I should be almost able to stand straight. Well I am now 2 weeks post op and still can't stand completely straight. My back is killing me and though I can deal with the discomfort I am scared I will never be back to normal. My PS was kind of scolding me saying I should just "cowgirl up", that I was scared to stand straight. I have stretched as much as I can and still can't get there.

isitvanity 5 Mar 2010
Hey there.. I had a tt with lipo on inner and outer thighs and flanks done.it's Bern 4 weeks. I can't stand 100% straight .. Even now. Dr said I'm babying the cut and need to stretch and go back to the gym! I will start working on stretching as much as I can and eventually things will loosen up a bit. I love my new tummy. Swelling and all.. Looks awesome! The thighs I c no difference at all, infact I feel he didn't do them at all. I had no bruising no pain, no numbness. I feel he didn't do it. He did charge me!! I need to get another ps to look at it! U will b fine! Everyone recovers differently! 6 weeks is a good time frame I think !
dee1016 24 Mar 2010
I had a full tummy tuck with muscles being done and breast lift 3 weeks ago and still can't stand up straight either. I've tried stretching but in doing so I feel like the skin on my hips is going to rip off. I feel like my skin is pinned to my hip bone at the end of each incision. Same feeling at top of the muscle right beneath the breast atop of the stomach. Is this normal? I've been crying from misery. I just want to know if I'll be normal again.
noflabbytummy 28 Mar 2010
Hi! I am about 6 weeks post op and am also frustrated by how long this is taking to recover. I can almost stand completely straight but am so dang tight over my ribs it just feels uncomfortable. I do remember feeling the skin on my hips being so tight that I thought it would never feel right again. Now I am fine with that part. If I over do it I get stingy sore around my ribs at the end of the day. I totally understand where you are and it will get better with time. I was told that you have to take it day by day and not push yourself. I had extensive muscle repair and I feel it! I am so thrilled with my tummy though. My sides/flank are still tender where I had lipo. I just want to lay on my side with my body pillow and curl up to go to sleep. still laying on my back with a pillow under my legs...its just more comfy. I totally understand that feeling under your breast. My stomache is still pretty "hard" and the top of my pubic mound is hard also. The doc says it will go away. I just want to know when! Glad to see I am not the only one with these questions. dont let the fact that I am 6 weeks post op get you down though!!!! I can admit to having a low pain thresh hold! Get better and take your vitamins!
Angiemcc (Community Manager) 29 Mar 2010

There seems to be a pretty long healing time for tummy tucks. But I can imagine you're getting restless. Please keep us posted on how you're doing...and if you'd like to post a full review, we'd love to read it.

Buttercup74 12 Oct 2011
I have the exact same feeling. Tightness and the hip bone and right below the breasts. I can lay flat in bed but when I'm up, I can't stand straight up. I woke up Sunday and Stood straight for the first time. The next day I was back to hunching over. Weird!! I am 3 weeks post op today. My ps also tells me to stretch out and stand straight. I assume she never had a tummy tuck.
mayra2011 9 Dec 2011
Hi buttercup
I had my TT nov 21 i am 17 days po and i have doing great even went as shopping monday and tuesday but girl yesterdAy i woke up experienci f everything you just mentioned for the first time. That tightness feeling around my abs feeling like my muscles want to crAmp up had me so depressed i even cried becUse i just couldnt get comfortable forget about sitting up that jist felt like my muscles wanted to clamp up. Just woke up and still feel like that. Ughh
I wish this part would go away becAuse i go back to work monday and sit all day. I wonder if there is something we can do to make it more comphy.
Buttercup74 9 Dec 2011
I am at 11 weeks now. I am pretty much back to normal. I have been doing my cardio kickboxing classes again as my ps said I can go back to doing whatever I want. My abs a still super week though, I can barely do crunches. I feel for you, I remember every bit of the pain. There isn't really much you can do about it. I stood straight up for good about the 5th week. Most of the tightness has gone away. Even now, if I sit too long on the couch, when I get up I still get "stitches" in my side. If you had Lypo then you should now what I'm talking about. That was the worst for me. I had to just stand still for a few seconds until the pain went away. The weirdest thing I experienced was the shortness of breath when I took my girdle off. At 7 weeks my ps said I could take it off. It took about a week or two, to get used to not wearing it. Now I only wear it when I workout.
I went back to work on day 13. It was so hard. Sitting at a desk all day makes you hunchback by the end of the day. If you can, try to lay flat throughout the day if you can. I remember by the end of the day I was so tight, it hurt. Plus the pain in the sides from sitting too long. All I can say is that in a few weeks you will be fine. The weeks will fly by. It's hard for me to believe that I survived it :).
Angiemcc (Community Manager) 29 Mar 2010
Just wondering how you're feeling now. Can you give us an update?
noflabbytummy 6 Apr 2010
Hi! I got a reply back and someone told me to get a lymphatic massage and it helped her hardness and tenderness. Mine is scheduled for this Thursday April 8th. Evidently your lyphatic system is severed when you have a TT. And this massage gets everything circulating again. Your lymphatic system gets rid of toxins and extra fluid. I will let you know how it goes. I still have hardness and stingy feeling when I overdo it. If I take 1 vicodin it helps me to stand up straighter. It really doesnt affect me like it does other people...or so I am told.I dont get that loopy wierd feeling from it like other pain meds. I have a 3 1/2 yr old daughter and an 8 yr old son with lots of extra after school activities so I cant afford to be "out of it" But at certain functions I need to stand up striaght or I get a lot of questions...did you hurt your back? ect. I am pretty open but I dont want to advertise to the world I had a tummy tuck you know? I have however lost 17 pounds without trying and bought my first medium size shirt last week in 12 years at least. My doc explained that when he sewed up my muscles over the rib cage it pushes your stomache back to where it should be. After being pregnant and your muscle splits a little with each pregnancy your stomache can expand into that area. He said thats why its so hard to lose those last 15+ pounds after being pregnant. Now I know this doesnt apply to everyone but I honestly cant eat as much as I used too. If I do overeat I am sooo uncomfortable! Cant wait for my lymphatic massage! Will let you know how it was and the after affects!
milin90 7 Apr 2010
How did you make out after your message? I am learning from all of you . I am waiting for my date.
noflabbytummy 14 Apr 2010
Hi all! The lynphatic massage worked like a charm! I have another appt to see the therapist next week. She helped to release my scar from where it had attached to other tissue therefore pulling me down and not able to stand up straight! I have lost 20 pound total and am so thrilled. I cant reccomend this enoug. my tummy is soft and she showed my how to massage my scar and feel all the differences and where I needed to massage a little more. Its a wonder. I was feeling like I was such a big baby and now I feel like I am in control of my recovery not the other way around. If you are looking for a massage therapist to do this sort of thing call around to physical therapy places and inquire. I feel and look so much better! My tummy is not swollen anymore and is concave a little around the belly button where I had lots of swelling. By the way when the therapist was doing her majic it felt so weird and awesome. It was like someone was trickling cool water down my legs and she said that was lymphatic fluids releasing. Gotta get my kids to bed! night girls!
mayra2011 9 Dec 2011
Hi i am happy to hear it worked. I have friends that havr had tt and they highly recommend them. I cant wait for mine. I have someone that does them my question is did it hurt? Did the therapist massaged your tummy area belly area incision area? BecAuse the thought gives me gooae bumps. Happy it worked for u
Shala 9 Dec 2011
Medical massage speeds up the recovery process. Yes, the abdominal area was massaged, but not till after several weeks of massages. I went twice a week for three weeks then once a week now once every two weeks. It is another expense associated with TT, after all the money already spent why would one short change on your total outcome?
momoftwins 21 May 2010
I am so glad to hear that the lymphatic massage worked for you. I am a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and will be having the TT on June 15th and will use my skills on myself! It's wonderful that you're having such a good recovery. Thanks for your information...I hope others can learn from this too and see how good the lymphatic drainage can be for healing.
8592anon 18 Jun 2010
i had my lipoabdominaplasty with arm liposuction and FAMI last june 9 and my GOD the recovery was like hell. Up to now i cannot move around that much and jusy keep on lying on the bed. except on june 14 i really had to work. im dead tired neacuse i had to to a ceasarean section adn deliver a baby. i really wish i hadn,t done it cause norw i feel like hell. i just confimr myself to the clinic and fo chechk ups opd style. im ruling out further operations for at least 2 weeks beacuse my energy feels drained. at least i know now that its not oly me who feels terrible after the procedure. its also hassle having to wear all those arm bands and binders!!! very hot snd nulky underneath all the clotes.. ha ha. this will be the last time ill do this kind of procedure....thanks
dee1016 1 Jan 2011
Sorry for such a late update. Love, love my tummy tuck and boob lift. Totally happy with the outcome. Long and painful recovery was well worth the outcome. Now, If I would of known how painful, I would of re-thought the whole thing.
fi0f3r 26 Jun 2011
I had my tummy tuck 3 1/2 months ago and I am still very tight. Its feel like my muscles are gonna pop!!! Also when I don't have my garment on the area between my belly button and my incision still swell up whenever I don't were my garment/gridle!!! Gonna try acupucture this week!!!! Had a CT and everything is fine. Don't know what else to do!!! I want a flat pain free stomach!!!!
fi0f3r 29 Jul 2011
Update. I had ct done and everythiing is fine. Also had consultations with 3 plastic surgeon. Everything is fine. Swelling has gone down. Still a little tight. All the doctors say that my body is just heeling. Skin has not adhered yet Unfortunely for me its taking longer that most.
WKYAmy 29 Jul 2011
How can they tell if your skin has adhered or not?
fi0f3r 29 Jul 2011
By touching it.
Madison5269 (RealFriend) 29 Jun 2011
I am about 12 weeks post op & still feel a light soreness, like after an ab workout, only not as bad. It is the muscles & nerves healing & connecting & coming together. I still have not started abwork & plan not to until 6 months post op. It is all normal though!
pjames04 29 Jun 2011
Hi. I just had a tummy tuck and i'm 3 wks postop. Fortunately I don't have the tightness where i can't bend, but instead it looks as though I have some loose skin still. I'm wondering if when my swelling goes down, if my tummy will be tight and not saggy. I originally had the lipo suction done and then went back to have the full tummy tuck. (abdominal plasty) My PS says that my tummy will be flat and not to worry. I sure hope so. I also wonder if everything will even out cause it all lokks whop sided, but i guess that's from wearing this damn hot compression garmet....lol. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING? Please respond.
Slopez 20 Jul 2011
I had a TT and lipo in Mexico about 4wks ago...I was very scared specially with all the horrible stories ppl say about PS in Mexico, but I had a really good PS and I am very happy with my results. My PS was very caring, he called me every two days after surgery to check on me, also the hospital staff were very nice. I was release from the hospital about 32hrs after surgery. I was walking straight the very next day after surgery. One week after the TT I was feeling really good and actually was bored from sitting around. I did break the rules and started cleaning my house but I did not pick up my two yr old..lol..I did however gave myself massages with Arnica cream and also drank the Arnica teas. And I never took the garmet off, well actually only to sleep.I went to work with in two weeks. I guess everyone is different. Over all my experience was very good and I am very please with my results.
lisagaye 28 Jul 2011
Hi ! I'm 54 years old and 3 weeks post op with full TT & breast augmentation. First week was brutal and left me wondering "what have I done'! Week 2 was the turning point for me.... actually went to a wedding on day 16 post op ! Currently still have slight burning & soreness (muscles & nerves healing) and some swelling . Started icing (frozen peas!) yesterday for brief periods twice daily 20 minutes in the morning & another 20 in the evening and noticed a big change this morning.... especially in the pubic area! :) Can stand straight most of the time but by evening I'm starting to slouch over :(

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