Downtime for Abdominal Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck?

Question

How long is the downtime of abdominal liposuction as compared to tummy tuck?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck is a more extensive procedure, which means that you'll need a longer recovery. It can take several weeks to return to normal activities, while it may only be a couple weeks for liposuction depending on how many areas were treated and the technique applied. To return to a desk job, you may only need about a week for lipo, while 2-3 for a tummy tuck.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Because a tummy tuck is a more invasive procedure than liposuction, it involves a recovery period of 10 to 14 days longer than liposuction plastic surgical procedures. Initial discomfort and decreased mobility is typical. 3-5 days or more of assistance at home is usually indicated.  Following surgery, you will be walking in a bent-over position to keep tension off the newly tightened skin incision site. Although strenuous activity, and lifting more than ten pounds, must be avoided for 6 weeks, some people can return to work and daily activities as soon as 2 weeks after surgery. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months to a year or more.  As for liposuction, if your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause pain. Wait at least 3 weeks to begin aerobic exercise. Much of the swelling and bruising will be improved by two weeks; however, some will persist for 6 to 8 weeks. It is often difficult to see significant changes in the body shape before this time.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Abdominal liposuction can be a realtively shor t recovery with just a few days of downtime. of course downtime is up to interpretation and varies among couch potatoes versus tri-athletes. I interpret this as meaning return to a deskjob and not strenous physical labor.
Tummy tucks typically take at least 2 weeks before the average individual is driving and feeling that they can begin to re-enter society.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

In general, recovery from liposuction is faster than from abdominoplasty.  For abdominoplasty, you should plan on 10 to 14 days until you are ready to go to work.  For liposuction, you should plan on 3 to 4 days until you are back to being active.  However, the indication for the surgery is the most important - they are not equivalent operations and you need to do the operation that is best for you.  Good luck with your procedure.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Liposuction typically has a fairly quick recovery time. Abdominoplasty however involves doing a lot more: Typically the muscles are brought together, so you have to be careful about lifting for several weeks, and there is skin and fat removed so there is an incision that needs time to heal. As in the previous answer, you should not choose between the two based on recovery time, but rather which one will give the best results for your individual condition. A board-certified plastic surgeon can give you a good assessment of which one is best, since he or she will be able to perform either procedure.

Downtime for Abdominal Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck?

Answers (10)

Answer: Recovery is different for every patient.

Answer: Recovery is different for every patient.

Answer: Abdominoplasty recovery is longer

Answer: Abdominoplasty recovery is longer

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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Downtime for Abdominal Liposuction Vs Tummy Tuck?

Answers (10)

Answer: Recovery is different for every patient.

Answer: Recovery is different for every patient.

Answer: Abdominoplasty recovery is longer

Answer: Abdominoplasty recovery is longer

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.