“Horrible Tummy Tuck Recovery! Is This Typical?”

I haven't had my TT yet, but from reading other ladies posts, some women experience more swelling and pain than others. I'm sure that yours will get better in time. Chin up, I'm sure you'll look & feel great in the end!

I had my tummy tuck the end of August. The pain and recovery was far worse than expected. The back pain is most likely due to you laying on it so much. Have someone prop pillows behind your back as you roll to the side a little and get some pressure off of it and put pillows between your legs. Find a comfortable spot. I had drain tubes for three weeks. 21 days exactly. Yes they were painful, disgusting and afterward the sites were sore and bruised until they started healing. I could not walk up right without hurting for about 5 weeks. It gets better each week. Another reason your back is killing you. The swelling in the stomach is normal too. You had a MAJOR surgery that involved not only skin but also muscle repair. Try to remember that. My best advise is find a way to take that pressure off your back, get lots of rest, take tylenol and don't push too hard. But do walk as much as you can. You are going to LOVE the end result and you will long long long since forget the pain you are in now. I promise!!!! Hang in there!

I also had the same recovery "issues" as you. It was very frustrating. I am now 10 weeks post op and just started to feel pretty normal. My back pain started on day 2 and lasted about a week to 10 days. My back was is spasm from the top to the bottom from being in that hunched over position. The back pain was far worse than any tummy pain I had. My tailbone was also very sore from laying on it constantly. I got a little "donught" pillow and that helped tremendously. I also got prescribed some muscle relaxers for my back and that also helped tremendously. It also took me about 3 or 4 weeks to stand/walk upright (I am still not 100% upright all the time). My drains also gave me problems from the beginning. I had the "burning" discomfort all the time with one drain. And, I am still pretty swollen at 10 weeks. Everybody recovers different. I think it made it harder for me reading all these posts that people were back to normal after a few weeks. Like the previous post said (and my doctor keeps telling me), you had a MAJOR surgery. Your body is still trying to figure out what is going on. On a side note, I was in excellent condition before my surgery, so I did not expect to have such a long recovery. Again, we are all different and our bodies will heal in different ways. Hang in there, it will get better very soon!

Hi! I live in the Louisville area and I am considering Dr S. Did he say if you should wear a binder? and what scar cream are you using? I wish the best of luck to you!!! Also, if you don't care I would love to see your before and after pics!

Sounds pretty typical to me. Make sure you're wearing some form of support garment, it really makes a difference. I alternate between a binder or a spanx body suit and it helps a lot.

Wow I am getting scared I am having my surgery done on Friday and I only asked for two weeks off.

You should get at least 5 weeks off! If not, you're going to be very uncomfortable in your job and walking all stiff and funny... My recommendation is that you get more time off. I've hace co-workers who only did their breasts and took 2 weeks off and then needed more time to rest... imagine a TT!!