3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a tummy tuck 3 months ago and I feel I am healing fine but I am worried that I may not be able to stretch my abdomen as I once did due to the incredible tightness in my lower abdomen. I'm just wondering if this is normal or if I should expect to not be as flexible as I once was. I've tried to do some simple yoga poses like the "upward facing dog" and my lower abdomen feels stretched to it's max to the point where there is some pain and it is too uncomfortable to do.

Christopher J. Morea, MD · Answer

Yes this is very normal. You will regain your full range of motion and flexibility in time. Recovery after a full TT can take 9-12 months in some patients. Best of luck

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

You will find that, in the longer term, you will regain full range of motion. Patience is necessary; sometimes the “tightness” persists for many months and even up to one year postoperatively. I remind my patients that they will need to go through a “rehab” process where they gradually, through “listening to their bodies”, increase their range of motion. Best wishes.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for writing,I would first tell you that you should do very well. Three months after a tummy tuck is very early. As a general rule scars can take up to 18 months to fully mature. With a true tummy tuck the belly wall has been lifted from your muscle and pulled down and re-sewn. All of the under surface has healed with scar. So the soft, freely moveable belly wall skin is now scarred down to the muscles and fascia.The bottom line here is TIME is YOUR FRIEND. You will see the belly wall softening and relaxing and becoming more comfortable. Be patient and don't push too hard, it will all get better. Be sure to keep your plastic surgeon up to date on your progress as I am certain he / she is very interested in how well you do over the long term. I hope this helpsStephen M. Davis, MD, FACS

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

You're still early after your tummy tuck surgery and your flexibility should increase with time.  Warm heat and gentle massage before stretching should help.  Try gently extending your back to gently stretch the tummy.  The skin has an amazing ability to accommodate for this new tension on the abdomen.  Of course please see her plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.  Be careful not to overextend as you to.want your scars to become red raised and hypertrophic.  However I expect you will improve with time as most tummy tuck results relax significantly over the next 6 months.

3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

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Answer: 3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

Answer: 3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

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3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (4)

Answer: 3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

Answer: 3 months post op, will my flexibility go back to normal after a Tummy Tuck?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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