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Are my Tummy Tuck Expectations Unrealistic?

asked 3 years ago by observingsarah in Cleveland, Ohio
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 1,417 times
Tags: downtime

I am 30 years old, generally healthy, active, etc. I am going in for my first consult next week for a TT and possible breast augmentation (TT is my priority).

I don't have a lot of time available to take off work and was wondering if it's possible for me to have a TT on a Friday, take the next week off, and return the following Monday (so 9 full days off work). I have a sitting job - not much physical involved, and a co-worker said she'd help me if anything did need lifted or whatever. Is it possible for me to go back to work after 9 days?

My previous surgeries, and recovery, include: c/section - 1994, up and around following day, cleaning hospital room two days later 'cuz I was going stir crazy (LOL) laparoscopic tubal ligation, 2003 - hockey game 3 days later ablation, 2006 - no down time supra-cervical hysterectomy, 2008 - took a week off work and went stir crazy.

Went shopping 3 days post surgery, and while "uncomfortable" was still able to walk the mall and go to a parade later that evening. Any advice is appreciated (and I realize I need to talk to my PS myself).

23 answers to Are my Tummy Tuck Expectations Unrealistic?

Recovery post tummy tuck

A 10 day period of time off is about right for a young, healthy patient with a high pain tolerance, as you seem to have. Patients should remember to keep their legs elevated during the postoperative period, to stay well hydrated, and take frequent walks, to reduce the chance of pulmonary embolism. Most patients report that they are very tired by the end of the day that first Monday back at work, but they did it. Exercise is of course a different matter. We advise our patients to wait 2... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

You should be fine.

One to two weeks off from work should be fine for you, especially since you have a sitting job. I have found that if you are an active person, rarely call in sick to work, and get out of bed the first time your alarm goes off in the morning then you are the type of person who will quickly return to your normal activities after a surgery. Good Luck. David Shafer, MD New York City

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Possible but not advised

Hi there- I have done tummy tucks on patients and had them go back to work after 9 days, and for the most part they do fine and still reach their goals eventually, but there is no question in my mind that these patients seem to experience more "bumps in the road" if you will. The increased activity of simply being at work, and the poor attention to nutrition and self-care that it unfortunately often leads to (once we get busy at work, its often hard to pay attention to our... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

You could probably do it

Assuming you find an excellent surgeon who does a significant number of tummy tucks, you could be back at a sitting job in 9-10 days. This is especially true if you have a positive and calm personality rather than a negative anxious one.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and breast augmentation recovery

While 9 days is a reasonable time to recover from a straightforward tummy tuck, it is difficult to determine if that will be your experience given the limited information. Not all tummy tucks are the same and not all recoveries ar the same. I have some patients who drive themselves to the first visit at 3-4 days while others are still in a wheelchair at 3 weeks. Furthermore, you are also adding on a breast augmentation which if implants are placed under the muscle could add significants... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You should be recovered enough from a tummy tuck 10 days before for a desk job.

Most patients are drain free and moving about for routine daily activities in 10 days. You will not be 100% but should be feeling well enough to return to a desk job. You will probably feel really tired by the end of the day but would not jeopardize the results of the operation.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Recovery post tummytuck and breast augmentation surgery

Depending on the severity and complexity of the case, many women need about 2 weeks to heal after having multiple procedures such as a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. However, everyones pain tolerance is different and the recovery time may vary as well. Since your job does not require any strenuous activity, you may be able to return to work depending on how you feel during that point of your recovery. Consult with your board certified plastic surgeon before returning to work if you... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Can you go back to work 9 days after a tummy tuck?

You sound like you handle pain quite well, given your early return to activity after prior surgeries. You likely won't have a problem getting back to a desk job after only 9 days. You should expect to feel quite tired, though, as a tummy tuck is very different surgery from what you've had before. This early return to work is also predicated upon your having no complications after surgery. If something unforeseen arises, you may not be able to get back to... more

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Recovery time for a tummy tuck

By about 2 weeks, most women are back to doing non-stressful daily activities. At 9 days you may be fine for return to your job. I would stress no heavy lifting. You will likely still be in a support garment and I would advise working only part time for the first few days until you are sure you can work a full day. If your muscles are tightened, this can lead to a longer recovery period, so this is important to discuss with your surgeon.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Women heal at different rates, have differing pain thresholds and have different motivations. Women such as yourself should be able to go back to a desk job in 9-12 days after Tummy Tuck surgery. Dr. Aldea

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Resuming Activities After Tummy Tuck

Nine days recovery sounds realistic after a tummy tuck since you have a desk job and will have assistance in lifting heavy objects. Recovery depends on your body's ability to heal and they exact type of tummy tuck procedure you are looking to have. It is most important to listen to your body and not stretch out the abdomen or over exert yourself as to not cause complications during the healing process or add additional pressure to the incision site which may cause unfavorable scarring.... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Expectations for a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are an extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients appreciate the tight appearance of their torso, the smaller waist and a contoured new look of their abdomens. Remember that this is a significant surgery and that your best results will be obtained by working closely with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is very familiar with multiple abdominoplasty and liposuction techniques. In our practice, we customize every tummy tuck surgery to fit the... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Tummy tuck recovery

I do not think that you are unrealistic to think that you can go back to work about 9 days after your tummy tuck. As long as their is minimal exertion you should be OK. You may be a bit tired fromt he energy you will expend to heal but otherwise if all is OK you should be fine.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

YES, a tummy tuck is right for you

Everything you mention sounds resonable. Just find the right plastic surgeon for you. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in this technique.

Jack Gelman, MD
Frankfort Plastic Surgeon

Some can work one week after tummy tuck

I wish all of my patients had the get up and go attitude that you have and reading your question I bet you will be up and at work in a weeks time. Discomfort, tightness and pain are subjective after any procedure and we can't always know where our patients will fit on the "curve". We insist that our patients are up and moving immediately after tummy tuck as they feel better and actually reduce risks such as DVT or blood clots which is a recognized complication. We have developed a... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Slow down there cowgirl

There is no doubt that a woman of your fortitude will be capable of returning to work 10 days after your surgery. Listen to what your board certified plastic surgeon has to say and please don't overdo it. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

My Guess: Yes, You Could

But we could both be wrong. Nine days is too soon for the average patient, even with abdominoplasty alone. When you add the breast augmentation, it would be more difficult. Having said that, I have had several patients who accomplished what you are proposing without problems. You are correct in seeking the advice of your surgeon, because he or she is most familiar with how quickly patients recover from the procedures he or she performs. Whatever you decide, follow instructions carefully.... more

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Depends on the procedure

While an abdominoplasty may include muscle tightening, this is not always the case. If you will get little benefit by muscle tightening, leaving this out may make your recovery less traumatic and painful. Your recovery will depend on what is done in your particular tummy tuck. Doing a breast augmentation simultaneously may be a common and reasonable combination but might prolong your recovery. While it is certainly not unreasonable to be back at a sedentary job, you must take into... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Reasonable but take it easy

It is very reasonable to return to clerical work 9 days out if all goes well. careful not to do anything arduous for six weeks, no matter how good you feel.

Bruce K. Barach, MD
Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

Different levels of discomfort have different time frames.

The initial pain and discomfort lasts 2-7 days. The subsequent soreness, which may not preclude you from going back to work can last up to 3 weeks. Some patients complain of being tired for up to 2 weeks, and they are more tired toward the end of the day. I would bet that you could return to work in 9 days if you are motivated. Good Luck!

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Better to plan for longer time off but it might be possible to go back early!

It is possible to go back to work as early as 9 days.However, i think it is much better to plan on a longer time off in case you need it. Over the years i had patients who went back to work after the first week. It is very important to avoid lifting heavy weight,drains should be removed and the wound healing well.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

That would be really pushing it!

In my practice, the two most painful procedures are the tummy tuck and BAM (submuscular). The recovery is tough due to pain, stiffness, soreness. You will need pain medications and I give muscle relaxants as well. Additionally, you will have decreased stamina. Even though you won't be doing physical labor, you will tire easily, and you will not be mentally acute. Driving may also be a problem. In short, I think that 9 days may be too soon.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

That may depend.

Hello, How tight your muscular repair is and whether or not you require a large scale operation plus or minus the placement of a pain pump all may vary. A big case with a tight muscular repair may wear on you more than your previous surgery. Also how function when taking oral narcotics may make a difference in whether or not you can return to work as early as you plan. In few words, "you may be pushing it a bit;" that is unless you are a small case. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD more