What is Recovery for a Full Tummy Tuck if Muscle Wall Tightening is Not Needed?

asked 9 months ago by Kimmib in Johnson City, TN
Latest answer by Remus Repta, MD
Question viewed 247 times
Tags: healing, recovery, without muscle repair

I am considering a full tummy tuck. Due to the fact that I am athletic, no children with low body fat, except in the abdominal area, I do not feel I need muscle tightening. My main concern is skin tightening and removing excess hereditary fat. Laxity in the skin is caused from weight fluxuation because if weight is gained it tends to gravitate in the abs and I am 43. What would the difference in recovery and cost be for the tuck without muscle repair?

11 answers to What is Recovery for a Full Tummy Tuck if Muscle Wall Tightening is Not Needed?

Healing after abdominoplasty

Healing is similar for the incision: strong at 2-3 weeks well healed at 6 wks the healing period is much easier with early return to work and activitites, possibly within days rather than weeks

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Recovery without muscle tightening

Recovery after tummy tuck without muscle tightening is much shorter. The average recovery for my patients after this procedure is about 1 to 2 weeks. This options is not for everyone. If your muscle is separated (rectus distasis), it is worth tightening to improve your shape. You and your Plastic surgeon should make that decision prior to surgery. Good luck

Stanley Okoro, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

www.georgiaplastic.com

Tummy tuck without muscle tightening vs liposuction

The recovery from a skin only abdominoplasty is much less compared to the abdominoplasty with muscle tightening. The recovery is centered around the necessary skin tightness created by the surgery. This takes a while to lessen and for you to get used to it. Patients have to be bent over in most cases in order to tighten the abdominal skin appropriately. It usually takes a few days for the patient to be able to become upright. There are exceptions to every rule, but I quote recovery... more

Jay Burns, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

The pain is in the muscle with tummy tucks

Most of the pain with tummy tuck surgery is due to the muscle plication. Patients who have not had children and are diligent about working out their abdominal muscles can get great results from tummy tuck surgery without having the muscle repaired. Those who have muscle stretching from multiple pregnancies and patients who do not exercise their abdominal muscles get a significant benefit from the muscle sutures. You should have significantly less pain without the muscle... more

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck recovery without muscle tightening

There are a few fortunate individuals such as yourself who do not need muscle tightening during tummy tuck. Without the recovery certainly is much easier with a quicker return to exercise and lifting. Still you will need to let the abdomen heal well enough to protect the incision line and prevent a fluid collection, about two weeks should do, though return to work after one with support may be possible. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck recovery

If no muscle work is done then a 2 to 3 week recovery may be sufficient, as this is where more discomfort is created with surgery.

Steven S. Carp, MD
Akron Plastic Surgeon

Recovery without muscle tightening might be about one week

Hello, The primary role of a tummy tuck is to remove excess skin and soft tissue laxity. Muscle tightening and liposuction performed at the same time as a tummy tuck have been shown to improve the overall results fro most patients since most patients also need abdominal wall tightening and thinning of the fat layer. If you do not need muscle tightening than just the tummy tuck portion of the procedure alone with removal of excess laxity will require about 1 week of recovery... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Much quicker recovery

I believe your recovery will be significantly faster without a muscle repair. You will probably be allowed to return to routine activities quicker and should have less pain. Good luck.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Recovery?

Thank you for the question. Recovery after tummy tuck without muscle plication should be quicker with less discomfort expected. I still recommend staying flexed at the waist for the first 3 to 4 weeks to keep attention off the incision line. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck without muscle tightening

The recovery and cost should be less when you don't have the muscle tightening. Probably back to exercise in about 3 weeks.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Recovery from tummy tuck without muscle tightening

Having just had a patient like you, the recovery is much less uncomfortable without the muscle repair. The rest is the same ie the drain, the scar, and the cost.