Tightness and difficulty standing up post-Tummy Tuck

I had an abdominoplasty and umbilical hernia repair 2 1/2 weeks ago (to repair the recti diastisis and umbilical hernia after having my twins four years ago), and I am getting really concerned that after a little more than two weeks, I still can't stand up straight. The tightness is still so intense, that I am still flexed at the hips slightly. My background is in fitness and dance, and I expected to bounce back more quickly because of my fitness level, however this has been much tougher than I expected. Is it normal at this point to still not be able to stand up fully straight, and feel such intense tightness at the incision site?

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12 answers to “Tightness and difficulty standing up...”

A: Fit patients often have the toughest tummy tuck recovery

Robert M. Freund, MD

As a fitness instructor, you have the most toned muscles. The larger the muscle and the more toned the muscle, the less lax it will be when it is pulled and tightened. Although 2 and a half weeks is longer than most, it is not unheard of for fit people like yourself to take longer than the weaker patient.... more

A: It's not unusual to still feel tightness, but you should straighten up by this point.

Behzad Parva, MD

There are essentially 2 areas of tightness after a tummy tuck.  Most commonly, women can feel tightness over the length of the abdominal wall from the upper abdomen to the pubic region.  This is normal because of the internal stitching that tightens and flattens the abdominal wall. This sensation can... more

A: You should get better day by day.

David Shafer, MD

SheriBrock, Usually after abdominoplasty it takes about 1 to 2 weeks before you can stand up straight. So, you soon should be getting better. I have found that some patients are afraid to stand up straight, so they really have to push themselves to do it. At this point, you are not going to hurt yourself... more

A: Tight feeling after tummy tuck is common

Peter E. Johnson, MD

All patients after tummy tuck will experience a degree of tightness which can last for several week after the procedure. Most however stand up right away and we encourage walking at home the day after and discourage any bed rest. The tightness may be caused by muscle stiffness, or tightness in the skin as well... more

A: Stay calm and work toward standing straight soon

Richard P. Rand, MD

The more muscle laxity you start with, the more tightening you require to get a flat tight abdomen.  Some surgeons take a bit more skin out and this can lock a patient in to a bent position longer than necessary.  Anxiety will also cause you to feel tighter so try to relax and take some warm... more

A: You should be able to stand up straight by this time

David E. Berman, MD

I encourage all of my patients to stand up straight immediately after surgery. The longer you wait, the tougher it gets. You should talk to your surgeon (hopefully a plastic surgeon), but certainly over the next week (and possibly assisted by physical therapy), you should be able to stand up straight. It is... more

A: In short, it might be normal for your operation

Michael Kreidstein, MD

Diastasis and umbilical hernia repair involve pulling the abdominal muscles together, and always result in pain and tightness greater than an abdominoplasty that involves only skin and fat.  The degree of pain and tightness depends on how big the defect was, and on how tight tissues were pulled. ... more

A: Not unusual after tummy tuck

Armando Soto, MD

Hi there- While most patients would be further along in their recovery than you seem to be at this point in time, I would not by any means want you to think that what you are experiencing is unusual or necessarily indicative of a postoperative complication. Muscular plication as is performed in most types of... more

A: Don't be alarmed, this is not unusual after an abdominoplasty

George Marosan, MD

I do a lot of "mommy makeovers," and I tell my patients that the abdominoplasty part is the toughest! After having quads, your abdominal wall was way over stretched, and you lived like that for four years. Now it is very tight and you are not used to the feeling. Start straightening up slowly (you... more

A: Sounds normal

Daniel Sherick, MD

It is not unusual to have tightness and difficulty standing up after a tummy tuck.  You should ask yourself if things are getting better.  Is it more easy to stand up straight today, than it was a week ago?  Does it feel less uncomfortable than it did a week ago?  If the answer to these... more

More answers to Tightness and difficulty standing up post-Tummy Tuck
Los Angeles - In short, no - it is not normal
Sonoma Valley - Give it a full 8 weeks

Comments

sheribrock
2 posts
22 Jan 2009

I want to thank all of the doctor's who kindly responded to my question regarding my recent abdominoplasty and umilical hernia repair, and my concern over the inability to stand up straight after 2 1/2 weeks. All answers were helpful, and I am also happy to report that a week later I am able to stand up straight. I still have a great deal of tightness throughout the abdominal region and at the incision site, however it it significantly better than last week. Thank you, again, for providing some comfort and relief in that what I was experiencing was "normal" and would improve with time.

The Dessert Diva
1 post
15 Apr 2009

I'm 1 week post tummy tuck today. I had a closure of a diastasis recti (twins, 1998) as well as "tidying up" of the leftover skin and tissue from my pregnancy. Truly a mess! Although I cannot stand up straight yet, I know that will come in time. I had a wonderfully talented surgeon in Montclair, NJ who did an amazing job. I am thrilled with the results.

denver mom
1 post
30 May 2009

I have extreme tightness on the upper right side where the leg meets the pelvis- I am 16 days pot op and am still not standing - do the answers posted apply to my situation as well?

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