How Long Do Most Doctors Wait to See a Patient Again After a Full Tummy Tuck?

My normal routine, if all goes well during surgery, is to provide my office and pager number and my cell phone to each patient so they can easily contact me 24-7 if any problems or questions arise after their tummy tuck.  If tummy tuck is combined with another major procedure, patients often stay overnight in the surgery center with two nurses, and I see them early the following morning.  If they go home after tummy tuck, I call to check on them that evening or the next morning.  If all is well, the first post surgical office appointment is 2-4 days after the procedure.  Usually, patients are anxious for the first appointment.  They want the dressing changes so they can see their early result, and they want to begin showering, which is not allowed (sponge bathe only) until after that first dressing change 2-4 days following the procedure.

Thank you for your question! I see my patients, having tummy tuck procedures, 24-48 hours after surgery for their first post surgical assessment. 

 Every surgeon's routine for postoperative care is different. Personally, I ask to see my patients one to four days after abdominoplasty surgery. This may be slightly longer if the patient has a nurse observing him/her. I also like to communicate with my patients via phone on a daily basis as much as possible during the healing process. In my practice, drains are usually moved one to 3 weeks postoperatively depending on the drain output.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your postoperative care, communicate with your surgeon prior to surgery. Best wishes.