Tightness and difficulty standing up post-Tummy Tuck

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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