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Tightness and Difficulty Standing Up Post-Tummy Tuck

asked 3 years ago by sheribrock in Hollywood, FL
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 34,205 times
Tags: 2 weeks post-op, recovery, standing up, tightness

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?

20 answers to Tightness and Difficulty Standing Up Post-Tummy Tuck

When to stand straight after a tummy tuck

As you can see from the differing answers, every surgeon has their own opinion on what is "right" as far as when you should be able to stand straight. In my mind, the goal of the operation is to restore a tight / flat abdomen that will last you the rest of your life (as long as your weight is stable and you don't have future pregnancies). As such, I'm fairly aggressive in how much skin I remove, and I request that my patients say fully bent over for the first week, and then... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tight feeling after tummy tuck is common

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. Also tightness and heaviness can be caused by a fluid collection called a seroma. After two weeks you may want to continue to wear an abdominal binder or transition to a Spanx or... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fit patients often have the toughest tummy tuck recovery

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. Relax- it will get better!

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

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

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 last for weeks and months, but you should still straighten your back and walk erect by one week after surgery (the strain on your lower back can result in a great deal of lower back pain). The... more

Behzad Parva, MD
Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

You should get better day by day.

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 by standing up. Make sure you follow-up closely with your surgeon to make sure there are not any other issues. Good luck. David Shafer, MD New York City

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

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

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 might find that the abdominal wall feels tightest in the morning and it gets better as you move around), do not push yourself. Allow your body to heal. I do not allow my patients to do... more

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

It may take several weeks for the tension felt after a tummy tuck to abate.

Most patients at 2 and 1/2 weeks can stand straight, but not all. You will eventually resumes normal function but it may be a few weeks longer. Check with your surgeon and stay in contact with him. But I would not worry about your condition at this time.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Difficulty standing up straight after tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. During the procedure, we remove skin and fat from the lower abdomen and then bring the upper abdominal skin down to the pubic region. This can create tightness in the lower abdominal region. It is common for patients to feel tightness and not be able to stand completely straight for the first 3 to 5 days after their surgery. If you continue to feel tightness and have difficulty standing 2.5 weeks after your tummy tuck,... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Standing straight after a tummy tuck

I think that all patienss repsond differently. It also depend upon how much skin was removed, and how low the scar is located. When I place the incision very low and the patient is not as lax as some to begin with, it can take about 2 weeks for them to straighten up all the way. Give it some more time.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Stay calm and work toward standing straight soon

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 showers and gently work to get to a full standing position. It may hurt a little, but it won't hurt your result at all.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You should be able to stand up straight by this time

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 not dangerous or bad that you are taking longer, so you don't need to panic, but as the other doctors answering this question have pointed out, it does put extra strain on your joints and... more

David E. Berman, MD
Sterling Plastic Surgeon

Not unusual after tummy tuck

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 tummy tucks, causes significant discomfort, tightness, and cramping in many patients and this can last several weeks. Most patients are able to cautiously stand upright after one week or... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Sounds normal

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 question is "yes," then you should expect that things will continue to improve and you will feel better soon. If the answer is "no," then I would check with your plastic surgeon. Hope you... more

Daniel Sherick, MD
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

www.cprs-aa.com

Standing straight post tummy tuck surgery

In order to avoid complications such as superficial openings and healing issues, I recommend my patients to stay hunched in a bent-over position for atleast 4 weeks. The tightness and tension you are describing is completely normal during this point in your recovery. Due to the muscle repair and removal of excess skin, it is difficult for you to stand straight so soon after surgery. I suggest waiting a couple more weeks post -op before standing erect. Take it easy and consult with your... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

In short, it might be normal for your operation

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. Some pain even 6 weeks after a hernia repair would not be remarkable. Your surgeon should be able to advise you about whether your pain is a sign of a problem, or a normal consequence of your... more

Michael Kreidstein, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Difficulty standing upright after tummy tuck

I would certainly discuss this with your surgeon but you may benefit from a referral to a physical therapist who can assist you in performing these type of exercises. It is important for you to regain your posture as this will cause undue stress on your lower back. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after abdominoplasty and tummy tuck

I would visit your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns. Occasionally, your surgeon may need to help you 'straighten out' your back by helping you stretch out.. This can be done by standing behind you and allowing you to slowly stand upright.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Tighteness After Tummy Tuck

It is normal to feel tightness for quite some time after a tummy tuck. Typically patients are able to stand straight after a week or two, but every patient is different. The abdominal wall is repaired and tightened with sutures with the incision site pulled tightly to provide a desired result. It is important not to put too much pressure on it initially as to not cause damage to the sutures or cause unfavorable scarring, but after a two weeks you will not cause damage by slowing... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

In short, no - it is not normal

Each abdominoplasty is different as each patient has varying degrees of muscle separation, skin laxity, and body type. In addition, there are different types of abdominoplasties and each patient may desire something a little different. However, the vast majority of patients should be able to stand straight either immediately after surgery or within a few days (3-5). Not being able to straighten after more than two weeks is unusual.Sometimes it has to do more with the anxiety and insecurity... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Give it a full 8 weeks

Tightening of a diastasis and an umbilical hernia repair at the same time as abdominoplasty undoubtedly will lead to more tightness and inability to fully stretch. Unfortunately, being fit and having a dance background does not mean you will heal more quickly. Many general surgeons warn their patients who are having hernia repairs to allow 2 months for healing. I would guess you also fall in this category. Most of our abdominoplasty patients can stretch pretty well by a month after... more