I'm a Hairdresser when Can I Go Back to Work After a TT?

Hi, the usual recommendation for resuming light work after a tummy tuck is about 2 weeks but this can vary from patient to patient and only your surgeon will be able to give you the best recommendation based on the actual surgery and the way you are recovering. keep in mind that in most cases there are drains involved and those need to come out before most surgeons recommend resuming work.
full activity can take 6 weeks or longer depending on your healing, so please check with your surgeon before resuming work.

Thank you for your question.After a #tummytuck #surgery, #swelling can persist for several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and even one year. Frequently the pubic area can become very swollen and discolored during the first two weeks due to gravity as this is the lowest area for swelling to accumulate.I suggest waiting 6 weeks before returning to full activity without restrictions.Use your best judgment based on the activities you perform as a hairdresser.  If there is no heavy lifting, you should most likely be fine.Please ask your #BoardCertified #PlasticSurgeon what they recommend.

If there is no heavy lifting, I would think that you would be OK to return 3-6 weeks after your surgery. Here are some general guidelines 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, such as hairdressing. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months to a year or more.Abdominoplasty involves a recovery period of 10 to 14 days longer than most plastic surgical procedures. Initial discomfort and decreased mobility is typical. 3-5 days or more of assistance at home is usually indicated.You will be encouraged to move and walk regularly starting the day of surgery. Wearing your TED stockings at all times, except while washing, to prevent venous clots (deep vein thrombosis) is mandatory. Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. No sports or heavy lifting for 6 weeks or more – please discuss with your doctor for specific questions.

Every patient responds slightly different to surgery, so there will be a bit of variance to this question based upon you and how you happen to handle the experience. Most patients, however, use narcotic pain medication for 3-4 days after an abdominoplasty. I prefer my patients to remain slightly bent at the waist for about 7 days after surgery. Both of these issues would probably keep you from being able to work a normal day at work. I tell my patients to take 2 weeks off of work, but I have quite a few that go back to work a bit earlier if they are at a desk job. I would guess that you could return for a 1/2 day at 10 days with the understanding that you will be slow and still a bit sore. It will be 6 weeks before you feel normal. 

Interestingly enough, I have done tummy tucks (abdominoplasties) on several women who worked in beauty shops.  All of the things being equal (they don't smoke, no medical problems), the primary determinant of how many days it takes to recover seems to be age.  The younger you are, the quicker you recover. 

 

In my practice, all tummy tucks are done with correction of the separated abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis), and almost all of them have liposuction of the hips (muffin tops).  I find that women under 25 are able to start cutting hair in 5-7 days, but during the 8-hour day, they must elevate their feet at least a few times for 20 minutes or more.  Most of my patients under 30 return to standing jobs such as hair cutting within 10 days.  And by the time you are 55, it will take about 1 month before you are able to perform such physical tasks comfortably.  

 

Since I am quite a bit older than 25, I hate the fact that age is a factor but AGE IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR with reference to time of recovery.