How Long is the Recovery Period for Full Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question!  The tummy tuck recovery in my practice is divided into stages.  Stage 1 - The immediate post-operative stage which lasts up to two weeks after surgery.  This is the time the drains are in place and I would assess for possible complications such as bleeding, infection, skin loss, etc.Stage 2 - 2 weeks post-op to 6 weeks after surgery.  This is the time I would be looking for possible fluid collections and taking care of these if needed.Stage 3 - Beyond 6 weeks to 6 months where the incision is healing, the tummy feels more like your own rather than numb, and your energy increases back to normal.  Stage 4 - Beyond 6 months where the incisions lighten, soften, and the tummy tuck is now in the past and life goes on.  The incisions may take up to a total of two years to completely heal and lighten as much as they can.  Hope this helps!!

This is an important question for anyone planning a tummy tuck procedure. Normally the tummy tuck procedure is combined with muscle repair and liposuction to give better shape. The wound healing is generally 2-3 weeks. Once the wound are healed you start looking after the scars with moisturising creams, massage on scars and sun protection and can apply silicone gels to improve scar quality.

You should be able to do light activities from end of second week and should be able to do normal activities by 6 weeks. Obviously no weight lifting or pushing healing objects for 3 months. Generally patients start driving during the third week but you should check with your insurance after taking sure you can make safe emergency stops. The swelling does take time to settle down and can take up-to 9-12 months. the scars continue to settle down for 12-18 months to fade. It is important to use your pressure garments for 6-9 months to help with swelling to settle down and get you good results.

Depending on the extent of the procedure and patient preference, you may wish to spend one night in the surgery center, or an after-care facility. But not all patients choose this. You will begin ambulating the next day. For the first one to two weeks you will not be allowed to stand fully upright due to the tightening of your skin. Depending on your occupation and activity level you may return to work and light activity around two weeks. At around 6 weeks you can generally resume your usual activities and restart your exercise routines. Please discuss with your surgeon first, this is just general patient advice.

A full tummy tuck involves extensive surgery and the recovery can be prolonged, specifically if the surgery involved rectus diastasis repair, liposuction, or a combination of procedures in other areas. In the first 48 hours you can feel a bit uncomfortable and tired as you recover from the general anesthetic and get used to your new abdomen. You should expect to take some simple over the counter pain medication such as paracetamol in this first week. I personally use a drainless abdominoplasty technique, and during the early recovery period I encourage my patients to mobilise as much as possible but without putting the surgical wounds under excessive pressure. For those patients who had muscle tightening, there can be some twinges and tenderness of the muscles for 2-4 weeks, specifically when getting up from a lying position as the muscles activate. The more severe the rectus diastasis was, the longer will take to recover. In my practice I encourage patients to work on their abs and increase their core strength before surgery, in order to speed up the recovery as well as enhance the outcome from surgery. After a maximum of 4 weeks you will be expected to stand up straight and walk with minimal discomfort and with no need for painkillers.In order to support your core muscles during the recovery, we advise to wear a pressure garment. This acts not only as a support, but also to help prevent any collection of fluid in the abdomen – a seroma. The garment is to be worn continuously for 6 weeks. If your procedure was combined with Liposuction, I will encourage you to have lymphatic drainage treatment. This will help with the swelling and shape and can start as early as 1 week after surgery.During this first 6 weeks I advise against high intensity exercise or heavy weight lifting. Gentle walking and yoga are acceptable.

Every person will experience a different pain based on their tolerance. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is associated with discomfort. We recommend two nights in hospital to have a nurse available to care for you before returning home. You will be prescribed painkillers to help with the discomfort. You may not be able to stand up completely straight at this stage.Weeks 1 - 2: We recommend you relax from daily responsibilities and arrange for extra help around the house. You will have a waterproof dressing on so you will be able to shower. It would be helpful for you to sleep with a pillow under your knees during this time, and at least two pillows under your head. Some people find it easier to sleep in a reclining arm chair for the first week to keep the bent position. You will be required to wear your compression garment day and night during this time. Your initial follow-up appointment will be within one week of discharge from hospital. You are encouraged to take short frequent walks during this time.Week 2 – 4: You should be able to stand up straight now and you will be able to return to driving if comfortable enough. We will discuss when you can return to work during this time, depending on the type of work you do. Most patients require three to four weeks off before being able to return. If your job involves heavy lifting (more than 10kg), you may require 6 weeks or more off work. You are still required to wear your compression garment during this recovery time. Weeks 4 – 6: You should have resumed work if you are able to avoid heavy lifting (more than 10kg). The compression garment may be worn during the day only now.Week 6 - 8: You will now have no restrictions. You can recommence your normal exercise routine and remove your compression garment. Following week 8 you will be back to feeling somewhat completely normal. The numbness has gone and your feeling more yourself as you were prior to surgery. Your scars will fade overtime but you can enjoy your new look.

Hi and thank you very much for your question. The recovery period following tummy tuck is some discomfort the first couple of days and stepwise improvement from there. Patients can typically go back to work as soon as 2-3 weeks depending on the type of work which they do. Light exercise is typically resumed by 1 month.  Swelling improves over time, with most of it resolving by month 6. If more muscle tightening was done then it is normal to feel tightness for a longer period of time. I recommend you discuss any concerns with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. I hope this helped! Best wishe