Is Tightness After Tummy Tuck Normal?

Hi-
Tightness at your stage is relatively par for the course, and is most likely due to the ongoing healing of the muscular repair (although this assumes you had muscle tightening performed).
The tight feeling you are experiencing usually begins to loosen up a bit after 2-3 months, but don't be surprised if you continue to feel an occasional pulling feeling with certain movements of your body for the first 6 or 7 months. This is caused by stretching of the scar tissue formed under your skin with these movements- it's nothing to be alarmed about, but I always prepare my patients for it so they aren't alarmed by the experience. Again, this assumes you had muscle tightening performed- ask your surgeon about the technique and whether this is normal for the type of surgery performed.
Hang in there- the recovery can be a bit difficult and lengthy, but I'm sure you'll love the new you in the mirror when it's over!
Happy Holidays!

Hello beaches2961,

Thank you for your question regarding tightness after tummy tuck surgery. Tightness in the abdominal area is a common and expected sensation following this procedure, especially considering that you underwent the surgery just five weeks ago.

The tightness you're experiencing is often a result of the muscles being tightened during the procedure, known as muscle plication. This tightening of the abdominal muscles is a key component of the tummy tuck surgery and is necessary for achieving a smoother and flatter abdominal contour. It's not uncommon for patients to feel discomfort and tightness in the weeks following surgery as the muscles adjust to their new position.

Wearing a compression garment is typically recommended post-operatively to help reduce swelling and provide support to the newly contoured area. However, if you're experiencing significant discomfort with your current garment, it may be worth discussing with your surgeon whether a less restrictive garment could provide adequate support while also improving your comfort.

As for your recovery progress, it's important to keep in mind that everyone heals at their own pace, and it's not unusual for recovery to be slower or more challenging for some individuals, especially considering the toll that major surgery can take on the body. I encourage you to continue following your surgeon's post-operative instructions, including any recommendations for activity restrictions, wound care, and follow-up appointments.

If tightness ever becomes unbearable, you must contact your plastic surgeon immediately. If tightness persists over the months and years, there could be a chance that your muscle plciation has been done too tight and you may need to have it loosened.

Since you submitted your question three years ago, I'm curious to know how you're doing now. If you'd like to provide an update on your recovery journey or if you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to share. Your experience may be helpful to others who are considering or recovering from similar procedures.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Dear BeachesYour recovery process is not abnormal. Everyone is different, but a few weeks of feeling tight is not unusual, and is expected after this procedure! At 5 weeks you should start expanding your activities, as movement will help stretch and remodel the scar. I would also suggest you stop wearing the binder. Seeing your surgeon would be a good idea.BestMatthew C Camp MD

Thanks for your question. Some degree of tightness is normal after tummy tuck, and this dissipates over the weeks and months following the procedure. The exact degree of tightness and rate of recovery varies a great deal by patient. Some patients find the abdominal garment to be very annoying, and others find that it makes them more comfortable. In short, there is a great deal of variability in the recovery process, and yours sounds well within the bounds of normal. Of course, if you have any concerns of an urgent problem, you should contact your surgeon.

Most patients will continue to have some tightness and a pulling feeling for 3-6 months after their surgery.  This is normal as that area has been tightened so much from surgery.  It will eventually get better over time.

Hello! Thank you for your question! I hope that these answers help! Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure. Given your desires, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower abdomen and contour the areas of your belly. Also, abdominal wall tightening may optimize your result. Stretch marks to the level of your umbilicus will also be excised. I would highly recommend continued diet and exercise prior to any consideration for body contouring as getting down to your ideal weight prior to the procedure will certainly give you the best results. Also, a continued healthy and active lifestyle will be needed in order to maintain the benefits that the procedure has given to you. I typically recommend a 6 week period of no strenuous activity/vigorous exercise along with an abdominal binder for the same time period. It usually takes 6-12 weeks for full healing and swelling to subside before results final. Your description sounds typical after this procedure.  Best wishes!

It is common for swelling and the resulting feeling of tightness to persist for a long time after abdominoplasty.  Although you will see a significant improvement in your swelling within 4-6 weeks of surgery, you will continue to notice variability.  It is common to have noticable swelling that persists for three months or even more after your surgery.  It is often around six months that patients truly feel that their abdomens have fully recovered.

It is very normal to have pain and tightness after tummy tuck for several months.  If you are doing something that is causing pain and tightness in particular, you are probably doing too much for you at this stage in your recovery.

                  Most
patients experience tightness and difficulty standing following abdominoplasty
surgery.  This typically lasts for
about a week, but in some cases, can last longer.  Initially patients are encouraged to walk in a slightly
flexed position to keep tension off the wound closure.  This also makes the immediate
post-operative period more comfortable. 
With the passage of time, patients are allowed to gradually resume an
erect position and perform light activities.  Strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for
at least six weeks.

                   Tightness
occurs because of the skin closure, and the plication of the underlying
abdominal muscles.   The
degree of tightness that results varies from patient to patient.  It depends on how aggressively the
surgeon has tightened both the skin and the underlying muscles.  When there is aggressive tightening of
the abdominal muscles, there’s more post-operative discomfort.  Under these circumstances patients may
need to walk in a flexed position for longer periods of time.  When more significant skin resections
are performed, ambulation in a flexed position will be necessary for longer
periods of time as well.

                  I
suspect that your current symptoms are probably normal.  They are probably related to aggressive
tightening of both your muscles and skin.  It’s important that you communicate with
your surgeon.  Be patient, you may
ultimately be happy with your result.

Yes, this tightness may be perfectly normal in the first several weeks, especially if you required significant tightening of the muscles at the time of surgery. It may take several months for a tummy tuck patient’s scars to soften, for sensation to return, and for relaxing of the tight sensation in the abdomen. In the case of extensivesurgery, abdominoplasty recovery can be uncomfortable and may take longer. See your plastic surgeon who can tell you specifically how long your recovery will take.

There is some associated tightness with an abdominoplasty and this usually goes away so please be patient.  Occasionally there will be a feeling  of tightness around the waist due to skin removal but this feeling will vanish as time passes.