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Why Does Someone Have to Walk Bent over After a Full Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Gracey in USA
Latest answer by C. Bob Basu, MD
Question viewed 1,629 times
Tags: bent over, normal, recovery, walk

Does It Happen to Everyone?

19 answers to Why Does Someone Have to Walk Bent over After a Full Tummy Tuck?

+4

Correct posture after tummy tuck

An integral part of my post op instructions is NOT TO WALK BENT  OVER AFTER YOUR TUMMY TUCK! Patients are asked to assume their comfortable pre op posture. Walking bent over can cause severe back spasm which can last for weeks( See previous posts on this subject on this site) and may cause constipation. If the operation is done properly and the patient is medicated appropriately it is not necessary. Sleeping with 2 pillows under your knees and under your head ,or your side in... more
Barry H. Dolich, MD

Bronx Plastic Surgeon
+3

Standing Straight after an Abdominoplasty

Most plastic surgeons bend the operating table when they do abdominoplasties so that more skin can be removed. This makes things tight especially when there is swelling, too. There is no harm in standing straight; it just hurts. There is also no benefit so why suffer? After my own abdominoplasty I found that my lower back began to hurt because it wasn't used to holding my body in a bent out position. Each day I could stand a bit straighter. I went... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

+2

Tummy tuck stance

Usually after a tummy tuck I have my patients stay a bit hunched over to avoid tension on the wound closure at the lower abdomen. This may help with wound healing until the body adjusts to the removal of the excess tissue.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Why Does Someone Have to Walk Bent over After a Full Tummy Tuck?

Just read Drs Aldea and Placik's answers. This will give you an idea of the bent over issue following tummy tucks. I try to get my personal patients to stand straight by 4 days, but not an absolute rule. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Hunching not necessary after tummy tuck

The goal of a tummy tuck is to get the skin and muscles tight to improve the abdominal contour. For some patients, it is more comfortable to flex (bend) at the waist to take some of the tension off of the abdominal skin. This should relax relatively quickly and in less than a week you should be able to stand nearly or totally straight. By gradually stretching out, much of the strain will be taken off of your lower back, but be careful not to over do it- listen to your body. more
Lawrence Iteld, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Normal posture is expected after tummy tuck

Some may find they are more comfortable slightly bent, or with their knees up and flexed right after tummy tuck as the muscles may feel tight. Normal straight posture is expected almost right away though, certainly within a day or two after the procedure. Normal posture will relieve stress on your back and help you feel better faster. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Stand up straight after Tummy Tuck

Many of my patients will find it difficult to stand up straight after a tummy tuck due to tight muscle repair and skin resection.  However, everyone can walk erect after the first week or two and will usually be able to get back to the beach, gym, or strenuous activities by the third week and beyond. 
Randy Wong, MD

Honolulu Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck

The main reasons:  much excess skin was excised, to reduce the initial tension on the incision, reduce the pain.
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck and early postoperative posture

There are two main reasons why a person walks bent over after a tummy tuck. One is the muscle plication or tightening and the other is the lower abdominal skin excision. The more skin is excised, the more bent over the patient is. The reason for this, is that most surgeons want the old belly button opening or scar removed and not leave a small vertical scar in the lower abdomen between the belly button and the suprapubic scar. The surgeon needs to assess this preoperatively and inform the... more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+2

Resting your abdomen after after a tummy tuck.

After tummy tuck, the skin of the abdomen isquite tight and the patients are usually instructed to remain bent over at least 45 degrees for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Why do you need to flex at waist after tummy tuck

The recommendations to walk flexed at your waist is to prevent excessive tension or pulling forces at a fresh incision line. you want to give some time for your incision to heal and for the skin to relax.  Generally, most patients after tummy tuck can walk straight in 5-10 days after their procedure.  gradually, you should be able to straighten up more and more each day.
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Walking Bent Over After Tummy Tuck

You want to walk a little bent over the first few days to take some of the tension off of the incision point. 
Robert N. Young, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Some patients bend over when walking after tummy tuck because the lower skin of abdomen is pulled tight

Not all patients have to walk bent over after tummy tuck. It is more common after a full tummy tuck with abdominal muscle repair of a Diastasis Recti. Part of the reason patients walk bent over is that the skin of the abdomen is pulled very tight and if the patient straightens up this pulls on the suture line which causes discomfort. It is natural to shift your posture to avoid discomfort. Even after a full tummy tuck with muscle repair, walking bent over or forward only lasts a... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Tummy tuck recovery

Because a tummy tuck tightens loose or stretched abdominal muscles and a lot of excess skin is removed, you may walk and sit a little hunched over for a few days after the operation. You should not even try to stand up straight during this time because you risk separating the incisions. Also, you should minimize the strenuousness or suddenness of such exertions as coughing, sneezing, laughing, and bowel movements. You can generally return to work in 2 weeks. This surgery takes about 3... more
Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bending over after tummy tuck

This is usually done to take or minimize tension on the suture line.By bending over this lessens the tension.Most of my patients are standing erect a day or two later.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Walking Bent Over Following Tummy Tuck

Because so much skin is removed from the lower abdomen during a full tummy tuck, the patient's incision is closed under significant tension.  Therefore the patient must walk bent over to reduce the pain and reduce the tension as the abdominal skin relaxes. Usually the patient can walk upright win the first 1-2 weeks.
Richard Wellington Swift, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bent at waist post tummy tuck

With a tummy tuck, one is taking of a significant amount of tissue.  Now we have to get you back together.  Most  Plastic Surgeons will bend the patient 30 to 45 degrees at the waist in the operating room.  The wound is on significant tension.  To take tension off this fresh wound, most Plastic Surgeons have the patient rest in a reclining chair, or have three pillows propped up behind them.  They also will have the patients walk "like Groucho... more
Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.jjrothmd.com

+1

Women Do NOT Have to to Walk Bent Over after a Full tummy Tuck?

Regarding: "Why Does Someone Have to Walk Bent over After a Full Tummy Tuck? Does It Happen to Everyone?" Women Do NOT have to walk bent over after a Tummy Tuck similar to the Grouch Marx pose. The bent over position is a combination - Pain and tightness from the surgery - Fear by the woman she "would do something wrong" and "ruin" her surgery and - SOME surgeon instruct their patients to walk this way. IF NO undue amount of tension was placed by... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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