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Should I be Able to Walk Straight 3 Days After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by Stina in Cali
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 1,415 times
Tags: 3 days post-op, pain, pain medication, timing

I had the full tummy tuck w/ muscle repair and lipo on upper hips. My pain has been tolerable since day 1 post op and it's day 3 and I am hardly on any pain meds. My drain seems to be leaking less? Am I on the road to recovery or does this seem like it's too early? On a side note, I've been laughing lately and have been trying hard not to (how do I know if i ripped anything inside? like the muscle repair? If that makes any sense?

19 answers to Should I be Able to Walk Straight 3 Days After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

+1

Recovery after tummy tuck

It may take about one full week after a tummy tuck before you are comfortable and able to walk completely upright.  Each day you should try and stand slightly straighter than the day before, but don't rush it. Your body will tell you how far you can go each day. Being slightly bent at the waist will take some of the tension off of the abdominal repair you underwent with the tummy tuck. Please consult with your plastic surgeon for more specific details regarding your recovery.... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

+3

Expect at least a week of discomfort after a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a major operation. You can expect some discomfort during the first few days, up to a week. Swelling associated with any surgery tends to peak at postoperative day three (POD3). During this time you will likely need to take oral pain medication. After the first week, you may need only Tylenol for discomfort, with stronger pain meds in the late afternoon or at night. If you are very athletic and your body is used to being stressed physicallyl with... more
Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Walking and Recovery after Tummy Tuck is Variable

Every body responds differently, both in terms of pain and general recovery after Tummy Tuck. We encourage walking after Tummy Tuck to prevent complications like pneumonia and blood clots.  Standing straight is guided by how your body feels: don't "push" it. Sounds like you're doing well! Be careful: Most complications come from doing too much too soon. Let comfort be your guide and remember you just had a big operation.  Closely follow the activity... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking straight after tummy tuck

Sounds like you are doing great following your tummy tuck - Congrats. Typically it takes one to two weeks to feel comfortable standing up straight. Many patients are able to return to work and daily activities within 2 weeks of surgery. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months. Abdominoplasty recovery can be in some cases slow and uncomfortable requiring more time for a full recovery. Light activity is... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is not uncommon to walk slightly bent over or not being able to stand-up straight following a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

It is not uncommon to walk slightly bent over or not being able to stand-up straight following a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) during the early healing period.  This is a result of tightening the abdominal wall and removing the excess skin.  For more information, see DRMEZROW.com
Craig Mezrow, MS, MD

Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I be Able to Walk Straight 3 Days After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

It has been my experience that operating on well motivated patients who are well educated on what to expect and what to do after their surgery COMBINED with numbing the tightened abdominal wall with a long lasting anesthetic commonly results in rapid recovery. I have not seen people bent over ("L's") in my practice in years. Nice going! Dr. Peter Aldea
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Great recovery from a tummy tuck

Some patients are lucky enough to have your kind of recovery.  Just be glad and don't overdo as this will set you back.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Feeling great following a tummy tuck.

It is excellent that you feel great this early after your tummy tuck.  It is very unlikey that laughing will affect your TT and tear any sutures.  see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking straight after tummy tuck

It really depends on your skin and how thight the tuck was. Some patients are able to walk up straight within a couple of days and some take over a week, so it depends on a lot of factors and what you are experiencing is certainly within the norm.
Antoine A. Hallak, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rapid recuperation after a tummy tuck. A good sign?

Recuperation from a tummy tuck is so variable among patients. Fortunately, it sounds like yours has progressed quite well - so don't be alarmed. Many patients take a few days or more to be able to ambulate standing up straight. Make sure that you follow the recommendations of your plastic surgeon including avoiding certain activities for a given period of time. Some patients may feel so well that they can engage in activities that may be detrimental to their healing such as... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Great to hear that you are on your way to a speedy recovery.  But don't get overconfident.  Follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions.  I generally advise patients to walk flexed at their waist and gradually straighten up more and more each day.   Most patients requires 5 to 9 days to walk straight without any discomfort.  Ambulating is great.  But no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about 5 weeks.  Hope this helps. more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy Tuck

It is important not to try to stand straight up in the fist 7-14 days following a tummy tuck.  Tension on the suture line can cause widening of the scar.  Excessive tension can cause a wound disruption.  Even though you are feeling well, try not to overdo it.
Michael Orseck, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon

www.orseckmd.com

+1

Recovery from Tummy Tuck

Everyone recovers at a different pace.  You seem to be lucky that you are having a very smooth and quick recovery.  There is nothing wrong with recovering quickly.  However, you may have good days and bad days during your recovery, so don't push yourself too much at first or you may regret it.   Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Walking Straight after Tummy Tuck

Glad to hear that you seem to be having such a quick recovery.  As other surgeons have noted, patients heal at different rates.  In my experience it is not unusual at all that you can walk upright this early.  Very hard for you to know about the muscle repair, but it would be difficult but not impossible to affect the muscle tightening with laughing.  The proof will probably be your result down the line and if the muscles bulge or don't.
Byron D. Poindexter, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I be Able to Walk Straight 3 Days After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Not necessarily, best to call your chosen surgeon to discuss in detail. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking upright after tummy tuck

It sounds as if you are recovering very well from your tummy tuck.    All patients heal at different paces and have different pain thresholds.    I would encourage you to not overdo it and continue with light activity until medically cleared.    You do not want to risk a wound breakdown or loosening of your muscle repair from too much activity early in the recovery process.    
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking Upright after Tummy Tuck

I no longer ask patients to walk "hunched over" after their TTs as I did many years ago.  As soon as you are comfortable walking erect, you should be able to do so.  If you are off pain meds on your third day post-op, it sounds as if you are recovering very nicely.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking after a tummy tuck

After a tummy tuck, most patients have to walk in a somewhat flexed position so that they do not put tension on the wound closure.  This usually improves over a few days.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Everyone's recovery is different

Every patient recovers from surgery differently.  Some people have great pain tolerances and some do not.  Some people need more done in the same "tummy tuck" and some need less done.  Some people have had multiple other procedures which cause a more difficult procedure.   I have some ladies who recovery in a week and have had patients take 6 weeks.  It is really very variable.   Try not to laugh and cough as this can be problematic to your... more
Evan Sorokin, MD

Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

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