Is It Normal to be Able to Stand Almost Straight 3 Days Post-Op Full TT?

I can tell you that everyone is different and it is not anything to worry about. In general, I instruct my patients to stay bend over and stay "crouched down" and carry their weight on their thighs so as not to strain their backs in that "angled" or crouched position when out of bed after a tummy tuck for the first week.  I think the body is very good at "telling you" that it is not ready to be straight in many cases because it hurts to do so. As plastic surgeons, we do not want "excessive tension" on the suture line so that the incision heals in the most optimal way.  Some people have more excess and lax tissues than others and it really depends "how tight" that particular surgeons "pulls" you, to make a simplistic analogy.  So in some cases some one may be able to standup straight very quickly as it is in your case and others it has taken as long as two full weeks.  But it is nothing to worry about. You will do great. I hope this helps! 

Sincerely,

James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Thank you for the question.

Congratulations on your recent procedure.

Yes it is very  “normal”  to not be able to stand straight at this point in your recovery. Most of my patients begin  to stand straight about 1 month after surgery. I think that staying in the flexed position and “walking like a old lady” will help keep tension off the suture line.

I cannot be sure why you may be able to stand straighter than some patients at this point without knowing more about your anatomy before surgery, exactly what procedure was done (?muscle plication),  and how much skin was removed. Your plastic surgeon will be able to give you a much more accurate response.

I hope this helps.

Hello,

Every tummy tuck is different and everyones body reacts differently to what is done during a tummy tuck.  I would say about 25% of my patients can stand up relatively straight within the first week after a tummy tuck.  This is particularly the case for patients who have a sizeable amount of skin and soft tissue laxity and/or a short torso.

All the best,

Dr Repta