What Happens if I Stretch my Body After a Tummy Tuck?

From the photos, it looks like the sutures are starting to come to the surface.  Typically, when this happens, I have my patients come into the office and remove the stitch and allow the body to heal.  I usually have my patients apply antibiotic ointment over the area and the body will do the rest and heal up just fine.  But, you do need to go see your surgeon.

Pain is a warning sign, and you are appropriately responding to it by relaxing tension on the abdomen.  At four weeks, you are unlikely to cause major damage by stretching too much; Pain upon stretching will keep you from overdoing it.  Gradually increasing your range of motion at the waist (flexing, extending, abducting side to side) is physical therapy, and should help you recover more quickly after abdominoplasty than if you were immobile, in which case you would likely be more stiff.  Recovery of normal range of motion will take longer if stiffness develops.

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure.  Although I understand your desire to receive online opinions, you really DO need to follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations.  He/she knows exactly what was done, how you are progressing, and is ultimately responsible for your care. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be pleased with.

A month after surgery there is no reason you shouldn't be able to lay flat and stand erect. There is no issue with stretching either. You should be getting back toward full function over the next two weeks. Any specific issues are best discussed with your surgeon.

Thanks for the question, and best wishes.