How should I sleep and sit after a tummy tuck?

Thank you for your question! For my patients having a tummy tuck, I recommend they sleep sitting up in a recliner, propped up in bed with pillows, or on their sides, alternating time on each side. As for sitting down, it is good to sit in a chair with support, such as arm rests, to ease getting in and out of it. I hope this helps!

You should buy two wedges. Wedges are key--I don't know this as a surgeon but I know that when my wife had her tummy tuck the wedges were invaluable as we placed one behind her back and then one under her knees. It is so crucial to get yourself setup before your tummy tuck and figure out how you are going to sleep, where you are going to sleep and get all of the things you will need beside your bed before the day of surgery so when you come home from the surgery you can get tucked in and be in the mist comfortable position. Don't forget you will want to get up every hour to take a short walk to cut down on the risk of developing a blood clot.Also make sure you have two large pillows or maybe even 4 so you can get them under your arms and support your upper body as well--personally I think this is super important because otherwise your shoulders and arms will drop and this becomes very uncomfortable and in my opinion equally as important as the wedges.Preparation and trying out your setup is the key to an easy postoperative recovery. Thank you for your question and best of luck.Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, Florida Medical Association

This is a question that your plastic surgeon will review for you in detail. For the first few days you should be in the semi-reclined position so there is less tension on the skin of your abdomen.  Sitting should not be a problem providing you have support hose on.Ambulation is very important with TT surgery. Your PS will surely discuss this with you as well.Hopefully you will have the drainless (no-drain) TT as the recovery time is shorter, and there is much less discomfort. Plus, you are not encumbered with the drains that patients hate. Thank you for your question, and good luck.