Care After a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Every person is different, so it is impossible to give you specific advice without meeting with you and going over your specific situation. However, generally after abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) you will need assistance for the first few days. In most cases we have patients return home the same day as their surgery as long as they have someone at home who can take care of them. In addition to needing assistance with daily tasks and self care over the first few days, you will also need a... more

There are so many factors that go into a successful stress-free recovery. Your treating plastic surgeon will be able to answer for you depending on the extent of surgery, your health, and his preferences. Some generalities may apply for most patients considering TT and appropriate liposuction. If you go home the first night you will absolutely need someone with you that night and for several days. My practice preference is to strongly encourage patients to spend the first night in a... more

Ideally you should have someone stay with you for a few days.  I would not want you to drive for 1-2 weeks.  Return to work varies a lot depending on occupation.  Some patients can return in 1-2 weeks, while others will nedd 4-6 weeks.  You need to discuss these questions with your surgeon.

Every surgeon has a different post-op protocol after a tummy tuck. I prefer that patients take it easy for 3-4 weeks.  Then they can start gentle exercise and graduate to heavy lifting at 6-8 weeks.  Most patients need about 2 weeks of downtime to recuperate from a tummy tuck.

You should dicuss this specifically with your own surgeon depending on the exact nature of your surgery. However, in my own practice, almost ever patient that has some sort of a tummy tuck (mini, modified, full) will recover in a post-op care facility with nurses in attendance for anywhere for one to three days on average. At the end of the stay, instructions are given deoending on the patients situation but most will need some sort of help since they might be slow to move, not able to... more