How long will it take for me to stand straight after a tummy tuck? I am 2 weeks post op. I can't stand up straight.

Question

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

Hi, it truly depends on your situation and the surgery performed to fix it.  It sounds as your muscles were sewn tightly (that's a good thing) so your belly will be flat.  Internal scarring will start to replace your sutures over the next few weeks and by then you should be standing almost normally.  By six weeks you will be there.  Best Wishes!!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure; best to run this question by your plastic surgeon as you will find that different surgeons will have different feelings about positioning/timing…  For example, in my practice, I tend to ask patients to stay flexed at the waist for about weeks (longer than some other plastic surgeons do). Best wishes.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

You should stand up straight now.  After tummy tuck surgery, I advise the patients to take two weeks off from work. The patients may return to work, but may not engage in any strenuous activity. At two months, the patients start low impact cardio. At three months they can engage in more strenuous physical activity. If anything hurts or causes swelling, we ask them to back off somewhat. If you exercise or do some particular activity that results in pain or swelling you are doing too much for your personal recovery at that time.  Not everyone heals the same.  You need to make sure that you don’t cause more swelling.  Fighting the swelling or working through the pain will certainly backfire. I prefer the patients to stay in town for two weeks if they from more than 2-3 hours away.  I do not allow patients to fly before 2 to 3 weeks at the very minimum.

Jane M. Rowley, MD · Answer

Usually my patients are standing up straight by two weeks, but it is variable.  Anecdotally--it seems to take a little longer for shorter patients to stand up completely straight.  Ask your surgeon for a muscle relaxant, this might help.  Good luck, Jane

David A. Bottger, MD · Answer

During the first week after a tummy tuck it is expected that you will not stand up straight .However, at the two week mark, you should be able to stand up straight. Often you don't due to discomfort, but its important to try to avoid developing back pain. Review this with your plastic surgeon.

How long will it take for me to stand straight after a tummy tuck? I am 2 weeks post op. I can't stand up straight.

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Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Can't stand straight 2 weeks after tummy tuck

Answer: Can't stand straight 2 weeks after tummy tuck

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How long will it take for me to stand straight after a tummy tuck? I am 2 weeks post op. I can't stand up straight.

Answers (8)

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Can't stand straight 2 weeks after tummy tuck

Answer: Can't stand straight 2 weeks after tummy tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.