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How Does Moving Around Help During Tummy Tuck with Lipo Recovery?

I'm having a Tummy Tuck next month along with some Liposuction in the flank area I am 55 years old, in good health and in a normal weight range. I am told when I have the surgery, I should move about as soon as I am able to get out of bed, that it encourages healing of the wound and assist in a quicker tummy tuck recovery time. Could you please explain in what way this helps? It seems rest would be better.

Asked 30 months ago by debnfl in Florida

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Limited ambulation after tummy tuck prevents against serious pulmonary complications

The post operative instructions following tummy tuck and liposuction are correct. In general, limited activity is good such as walking and moving around as it prevents against serious pulmonary complications such a pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, etc. Be sure that you fully understand your post operative orders and have discussed them with your care givers.

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Moving around helps during Tummy Tuck with Lipo recovery

Dear Deb, Immobility and limited mobility are associated with some of the most serious complications seen with cosmetic surgery; pneumonia and potentially fatal blood clots to the lungs (pulmonary embolus). Despite our best efforts at avoiding such events they are seen MORE in women (than in men), in any surgery under general anesthesia lasting more than an hour, in obese patients, in those who do not walk after surgery and ESPECIALLY in smokers or women taking birth control pills. I tell... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy tuck and early ambulation

I also encourage my patients to get up and walk the day of surgery. There are actually a few reasons why 1. during surgery, we place massage boots on so that blood circulates from the legs, after surgey, the best way to get blood pumping is simply by walking. The muscles in your legs contract and push blood back to your heart. It decrease the chances of forming clots that can break off and go to the lungs. 2. we encourage our patients to drink clear liquids that night and often this makes... more

Andrew Y. Kleinman, MD

Westchester Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Early Ambulation after Tummy Tuck

Your surgeon was correct in advising you to "get up and move around" after your surgery. In fact I encourage my patients to get up the evening of surgery. This is important to decrease the chances of blood clots forming in your legs which can become dislodged and travel to your lungs. It also seems that patients simply get well faster with early mobilization. A third benefit is that this serves to expand the lungs which can develop atelectasis following a long anesthetic. On... more

John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Ambulation after tummy tuck

Most surgeons want their patients to walk soon after tummy tuck to prevent the development of serious complications. One of the most feared complications after tummy tuck is deep venous thrombosis (DVT or blood clots). Not only can this impede circulation in the extremities, but if the clot breaks off, it can migrate to the lungs, which has the potential to be fatal. One of the most effective methods for prevention of this is having patients walk; this triggers the body's natural... more