Can you go back to work one week and a half after a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck is a significant procedure that can give very nice dramatic results but there is a significant recovery. Most women can return to a sedentary job by about 2 weeks but no abdominal straining or forceful activity for at least 6 weeks.Standing or sitting in a reclined position with legs elevated is a better position than sitting upright at a desk. It will be important to limit the time of sitting upright for the first few weeks (perhaps no more than 1 hour at a time) to avoid compromising the blood flow to your lower abdomen.If you have to get back to work soon you should arrange to limit the number of hours and be sure to get up (slowly and carefully with support of your arms) every hour or so and walk around/recline frequently to improve your blood flow to the healing areas.

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.Although, since you're not doing any heavy lifting, you may be able to return to work before that depending on how you're feeling.Ask your #BoardCertified #PlasticSurgeon what they recommend.

Good morning!It really depends upon what type of tummy tuck you are having as well as any associated procedures.  I counsel my patients that for a full abdominoplasty with liposuction 10 days is the minimum for desk type work- two weeks is the better number.  Any additional procedures such as lower back liposuction tend to push you more toward the two week mark as well.I hope this helps

11 days after a tummy tuck you should be walking upright and feeling better. Two weeks after a tummy tuck you will be tired at 3:00pm in the afternoon. It typically takes 4 weeks to get all of your energy back. i have my patients wait 6-8 weeks, before returning to guarded exercise.I normally do a lipo-abdominoplasty without drains, Brazilian style.  After this technique, my patinets are up and about at 10 days.After a tummy tuck you do not want to sit long periods, without walking to reduce the chance  of blood clots in your legs (DVT).Yours,Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH, FACS

Such major surgery requires 4 weeks of total rest and immobility; not doing so involves a real risk of acute bleeding and hemorrhage, hypovolemic shock, seroma and muscle weaking.

You may still have drains at that point but you can easily hide them in your pockets or clip them on your waist band. I use a compression garment post op and again, this can easily be hidden under your work clothes. I would suggest getting up and walking every hour so you aren't sitting down all day. Make sure you discuss this with your operating surgeon to find out what his or her post op protocol is. Good luck!

For  your particular occupation it is reasonable to go back to work. However for any other strenuous activities such as working out I would recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks. Also I recommend patients not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for six weeks.it is important that you discuss any questions or concerns with your plastic surgeon and follow all of his or her recommendations. Hope this helps good luck

Recovery time following a tummy tuck
depends primarily on how extensive the procedure is, whether the abdominal
muscle was repaired, and your individual ability to heal. It also depends on
your type of work. Following a tummy tuck, most patients are able to work at
home during the first week and resume returning to work at a sedentary job in
1 1/2 to 2 weeks. However, in a patient with a strenuous job requiring heavy lifting,
I would recommend waiting 4-6 weeks.You should discuss your concerns with your
plastic surgeon, who should be certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS), that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your
concerns with that surgeon in person. It is important to follow all of
his or her instructions.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California

That is a fairly short time period between surgery and going back to work for most tummy tuck patients. I certainly have seen patients do it but it will be harder than you think. You have to remember that driving to and from work is a physical task that requires concentration, the ability to react to certain driving situations and you can' t be pain medication. That is equally if not more important than sitting at a desk. Eleven days is an ambitious plan for returning to work and you may want to consider extending that if possible.

There is a healing process from any surgery. I encourage my tummy tuck patients to ambulate the same day of surgery. But you will be walking in the flexed position. Early ambulation is very important as it helps to decrease your risk for a blood clot/deep venous thrombosis.  You should be able to walk upright/straight in approximately 7 days. Most of my tummy tuck patients are comfortable to go back to a desk job in 10-14 days after surgery. If your work involves strenuous activity or heavy lifting, most surgeons recommend avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least 5 weeks. In general, for most desk jobs, I advise patients to take 10-14 days off if possible so you can focus on your recovery and not on deadlines/clients/meetings.In terms of pain, I recommend the use of long acting numbing medicine to numb out the muscle tightening. I utilize Exparel that can have numbness effects than can last up to 3-4 days. Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation to learn more about your options. Hope this is helpful.Dr. BasuHouston, TX