When Will I Feel Normal After Full Tummy Tuck?

I had my Full Tummy Tuck Lipo on hips ,waist under and sides of breasts Breast lift with implant .3 weeks ago after the operation I needed two blood transfusions had a chest infection so I had two lots of steroids .I still do not feel well ,tired al of the time weepy I still can't stand up straight still feel very tight and very swolen .when can I expect to feel a bit more normal ?

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28 Doctor Answers | Asked by mariaall in uk

Doctor Answers (28)
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The body takes time to heal after a Tummy Tuck!

Different people heal differently, and there are different type of Tummy Tuck procedures. But usually, most of my patients go back to their routine work activities in two weeks, and do light exericising in 4 weeks, with no sit ups. Most people feel their normal self in about 8-12 weeks, but will still have some bad days, here and there, for up to 6-8 months more.

Recovery from a Tummy Tuck

The recovery from a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) generally takes about 2-3 weeks to begin returning to normal activity. Some patients heal faster, and some take longer. In your case it seems like you had a rougher time than average. The chest infection definitely will weaken you making your recovery longer. Also, it is a bit unusual to need any transfusions with this surgery. In my experience the amount of bleeding is very little. In any case, you had a more difficult time than average.... more

Give it sometime, you had some adverse effects

It seems that you had some adverse effects following your surgery. This will make your recovery a little harder. In general 3 weeks following this procedure you will start feeling well. With a chest infection ,steroids on board etc... too many factors involved. Give it some time. Work with your doctors until you are back to normal.

Tummy tuck recovery

Typically, I tell my tummy tuck patients to plan on missing two weeks of work, no heavy lifting for at least four weeks, and that it will take a minimum of 6-8 weeks until they feel back to normal. When a tummy tuck is combined with other procedures the recovery period is not only more strenuous, but also longer in some cases. In addition, I think patients who undergo multiple procedures at once have a higher likelihood of experiencing a complication. Lastly, it's... more

Recovery: slow but steady

Sounds like you have had a very difficult post-operative course. It's normal to feel blue during recovery. Fatigue and irregular sleep contribute to emotional lows after surgery. Dehydration and inadequate nutrition make things worse, so be sure to drink lots of water and eat lots protein. When recovery is further slowed by complications, it can be very depressing. It s very important to know that you will heal, and you will feel yourself, again. Your... more

Recovery after a tummy tuck

When I see patients after a tummy tuck, I typically hear them complain that they are “exhausted”, they say “I feel like I was hit by a truck”, and “I feel tight”, but they don’t typically complain about pain after a tummy tuck. Don’t get me wrong, they all take some kind of pain medication, but the main complain is not typically the pain level. The worst part seems to be the first three days, after that they truly get better much faster. Most... more

Recovery from an Abdominoplasty/Lipo/Augmentation Mastopexy

The recovery from a straight abdominoplasty is 2-3 weeks and back to the gym in 4-6 weeks typically. When adding other procedures, the recovery may be longer especially in light of your complications. Being anemic enough to require transfusions as well as an overlying infection will drain you of energy. Trust your plastic surgeon to get you through this time and be patient. It may be up to 3 months before you're feeling like yourself again. more

Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" recovery

Recovery from a full abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" depends on the patient's level of fitness, degree of excess skin and fat and abdominal wall laxity in need of treatment. The larger the change, the longer the recovery.

Abdominoplasty recovery

Sorry to hear about your difficult recovery. This process varies with age, nutritional status, and underlying health issues. Most of my patients return to work within 2 weeks following abdominoplasty. When this procedure is combined with others, recovery time is often slightly longer. Anemia (low blood count) may contribute to a prolonged recovery. When a complication is involved (hematoma, infection, wound dehisence), it may take several weeks to... more