When will fatigue subside after a TT?

Question

I'm almost 3 weeks post TT and this past week I went back to work (I sit all day at my job and there is minimal physical activity). However I have 3 small kids and when I try to help (don't worry I don't pick up my kids yet) I can still only do so much before I get fatigued still. I take breaks and lay down to rest. But my husband is burning out. When am I going to be back to normal?

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

I generally as my patients who have a desk job to take 2 weeks off of work.  After that they may return to work but I do advise them that they will be very fatigued by the end of the day.  It usually takes about 4-6 weeks before your feel back to normal, as the energy level goes.However, it usually takes about 4-6 months before you will be able to really appreciate your results.Therefore, what you are experiencing is normal and part of the recovery after tummy tuck surgery.Hope that helps.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question on sorry to hear about your difficulty after tummy tuck surgery. It's important to understand, that the recovery after a tummy tuck takes ahilw to get your energy back. Try to be patient with the process and and understand that most patients take a couple of months to feel normal again. Stay in contact with your surgeon and express any concerns that you may have.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It is going to take 3 to 6 months to be back to normal.  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.

Peter Newen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello and thank you for sharing your concerns. You should start feeling normal in the next 3-6 months. It may be a rough start and you will be feeling fatigued for the next couple of weeks. However, if you are still concerned I would recommend following up with your surgeon. I wish you the best of luck!

When will fatigue subside after a TT?

Answers (4)