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Is Tightness After Tummy Tuck Normal?

I'm a 60-yr old female with good physical health. I had a Tummy Tuck on 5 weeks ago, and now I am having a lot of tightness. One day I think I'm progressing well, and then the next I feel as if I've stepped by several days. I have been wearing a fairly tight compression garment and am uncomfortable without it. I thought I would start feeling better and not as tight as time goes on but haven't. Is this tightness normal at this stage? Also, should I change to a less fitting garment? Please provide any additional suggestion for a speedier recovery. This surgery has really taken its toll on me. I don't seem to be improving as quickly as I feel that I should.

Asked 38 months ago by beaches2961 in Georgetown, USA

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Tightness of abdomen is normal and will ease up in 6 weeks.

It is very normal and expected to feel tight around your abdomen after a tummy tuck, because this procedure is designed to tightened the loosened abdominal wall. Most of my patients complain of abdominal tightness for the first week after surgery, which gradually goes away by six weeks after surgery.

Doctor's Website

S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tightness after 5 weeks is still possible.

Most abdominoplasties or tummy tucks result in tightness for two different reasons. First, the abdominal wall skin/fat is lifted up to the rib level. The patient is often then sligtly flexed at the waist, the excess skin is remove and the incision is closed. Removal of this excess skin results in the incisional tightness that patients often feel immediately after surgery. It it this tightness that ocassionally prevents patients from standing completely vertical for a day or two. ... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Too tight or too loose, that is the question!

Dear Beaches2961, I'm writing to endorse the excellent comments on your question. I do think that Dr. Rand hit the nail on the head when refering to the age of a tummy tuck as affecting the recovery. My 60+ tummy tucks seem to want faster recovery and notice more subtle changes than my 30+ tummy tucks do. I don't know if this is entirely age related but consider this: You've lived with your body shape for a long time and your ligaments and muscles are used to a certain function and shape... more

Antonio M. Carbonell, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Absolutely

Hi- Tightness at your stage is relatively par for the course, and is most likely due to the ongoing healing of the muscular repair (although this assumes you had muscle tightening performed). The tight feeling you are experiencing usually begins to loosen up a bit after 2-3 months, but don't be surprised if you continue to feel an occasional pulling feeling with certain movements of your body for the first 6 or 7 months. This is caused by stretching of the scar tissue formed under your skin... more

Doctor's Website

Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tightness is expected and even desired after Tummy Tuck

As you are aware the tummy tuck procedure involves tightening the muscle/fascial layer which flattens the anterior abdominal wall. Additionally, when the fat/skin layer of the abdomen is cut out (excised), it is removed in an oval shape. The middle portion of the excised fat/skin layer which is directly above the pubic area is very tight. So the feeling of tightness is expected and even desired. Try to avoid prolonged standing. We usually instruct our patients following a tummy tuck... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Post Abdominoplasty Instructions; What to Do After a Tummy Tuck

There are two goals of a tummy tuck: Tighten the abdominal wall Remove excessive skin and fat from the abdomen. After a tummy tuck, patients will feel tightness in the abdominal area. It is imperative that patients do not perform strenuous activity during this period in order to avoid disrupting the sutures in the rectus fascia during the healing phase. Maintain a close relationship with your surgeon in order to avoid disrupting key components of your abdominoplasty.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Talk to your surgeon

Patients often feel tight after an abdominoplasty, especially if the muscles have been tightened. The garment/binder also becomes a comfort crutch and patients often become attached and dependent to it. At five weeks, unless there is unusual residual edema or significant liposuction had been performed as well, a tight garment is not necessary. Anything you wear should be mainly for comfort at this time, not compression. Certainly have your surgeon examine to be sure you do not have fluid... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tightness is normal

At 5 weeks post tummy tuck, tightness is normal. You might consider wearing a less compressive garment - the Flexie line makes nice ones and is available at Macy's, JC Penny's, and Mervin's. Also, age 60 is a bit advanced for a tummy tuck so it is not surprising to me that you are having a longer recovery than you might have anticipated. It is a big procedure to recover from for sure! There will be good days and not so good days, but the overall trend will be towards normal by the time... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Stop wearing the Garment

Tightness after 5 weeks is not abnormal. You want to have tightness, that is the purpose of your tummy tuck. Feeling more tightness after 5 weeks may indicate some inflammation or increased activity and contraction of the muscle. A tight garment at 5 weeks only causes irritation and has little benefit. A comfortable garment will help reduce discomfort and reduce swelling of the skin and fatty tissue. If there is redness or increased swelling at 5 weeks, you should contact your doctor and... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Tightness is expected following an abdominoplasty procedure as this procedure tightens your abdominal wall. You can expect to feel that tightness for several weeks. Every surgeon has a post-operative protocol that they feel will work best for their patients. Contact your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's office to inquire about switching to another garment. Most of my patients complain for the first 2 weeks...eventually they return and will tell me that the tummy tuck was one o more

Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tincture of time

I agree with the vast majority of comments below. Scars generally build for 6 weeks after any injury and you have just about reached the peak. So tightness at 5 weeks is not unusual Scars will soften after the following 6 weeks and therefore I tell my patients to allow 6 weeks to pass before things will relax. If muscle tightening was performed with your procedure, this can add to the sensation of tightness. This can be worse after meals and I find that many of my patients have a sense of... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Give it time

Beaches, What you describe is not unusual following a tummy tuck. The tightness that you are still feeling may be scar tissue forming under the skin. It will eventually soften and relax and then you may be unhappy that your tightness has gone. You can try down grading to a lighter compression garment. I usually have my patients switch at about 2 weeks. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Try not wearing the compression garment.

To beaches2961, Hi. Of all the cosmetic surgery procedures, a tummy tuck has the toughest recovery. So your symptoms don't sound worrisome. In a few weeks you should feel much better. After 5 weeks, you can certainly try to exercise.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tightness after TT

Tuck (Tuk): to tighten by folding, as in the sheet was tucked under the mattress, or by removing, as in the doctor removed a foot of skin during my tummy tuck. just kidding, all the answers were so good, no point in rehashing the obvious.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Some tightness is normal.

Hello, One of the benefits of a tummy tuck is tightness. The question is how much tightness do you have? I have seen one patient (fortunately she had her tummy tuck elsewhere) who was too tight or at least she felt so. She sought to have her tummy tuck "loosened." This is the only such case I have seen in over ten years though. The tightness you feel within the first few months of surgery loosens up and usually people are fine. This one is probably best treated with time.... more

John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

Stiffness is Common

Tummy tuck is a BIG operation. From my experience, the trauma to the muscles causes spasm, tightness, and stiffness. In the early postoperative period, this causes the majority of pain, and later, it can still cause significant discomfort. At this point in your recovery, you may be starting to over-do things, and this can aggravate the discomfort. It is important to be sure you understand your physical restrictions per your doctor. It is useful to warm up and stretch out several times... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Post tummy tuck, everyone heals at a different rate

The tightness is normal. Many patients complain of being physically tired after the procedure, because the soreness around the abdomen afffects their core strength. Take it easy; it will get better.