I'm a local truck driver, and I'm getting ready to have a tummy tuck. How long should I wait to go back to driving?

The best advice will come from your PS as the answer to this question depends upon your anatomy and the skill of the PS. I only tighten the abdominal wall to return it to an anatomic norm rather than tighten it as much as possible. This produces a functional result without producing prolonged discomfort.  You will likely be bent over for a few days following the TT because of the tightening of the deep layer muscle fascia and the removal of lower abdominal skin. Two weeks recovery is probably a reasonable period of time before returning to a sedentary job or normal day-to-day activities. You should not engage in strenuous activity for 6 weeks although walking or light cardio, and short distance driving can likely be resumed at two weeks. My patients typically wear an adjustable compression garment as much as possible for six weeks.  Should the swelling resolve faster than usual, they will opt for a smaller size garment.  I have received no complaints about wearing the garment other than its itchy quality.  Wearing a soft t-shirt under it resolves this problem.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

HI Teresa,  You need to be careful when returning to work as a truck driver, especially if you need to load heavy things. Jumping in and out of a cab also will be strenuous and could result in a breakdown of your wound.If you are driving long distances and sitting for prolonged periods, you can also increase your chances of having a blood clot in your legs ( this is a well known risk for TT's). The blood clot, in some instances, can lead to a pulmonary embolism which is very serious.If you were my patient, I would advise a rest period, especially if you abdominal muscles are tightened, for 5-6 weeks after surgery.Best Wishes and Good luck!Dr. Christine Rodgers

If all you do is drive then 2-3 weeks off would be recommended. If you are also lifting anything heavy as part of the job you may need to take more time off or be on modified duties. It depends on how heavy the items you lift are and whether you are having muscle tightening as well. It's best to ask your surgeon as they'll know exactly what your procedure will involve. Hope that helps! 

I recommend to all my tummy tuck patients to refrain from work for at least 2 weeks after which they can resume light exercises and light duty. If you feel great before 2 weeks, it may be possible for you to get back to driving, however it is best that you take frequent breaks to walk and stretch your legs to prevent stasis and possible clots. If you require any type of pain medications etc, then you may not be legally allowed to drive the truck until you no longer need to take the medications. I find that by 4 weeks, patients are completely back to normal and can handle heavy lifting without restrictions as if they never had surgery. Hope this helps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee

Recovery time following a tummy tuck depends primarily on how extensive the
procedure is, whether the abdominal muscles were 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 1-2 weeks. Driving long distances without strenuous lifting should be delayed 3-4 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 FACS
La Jolla, California

It mainly depends on whether or not you have a "muscle repair" as part of your operation AND how much straining lifting you do as part of your job (loading/unloading). It also depends on whether or not you have any healing problems AND whether you are  driving short local routes or long multi-hour routes.If you do NOT have a muscle repair and you heal well and you have short routes, most patients would be fine to drive by the end of the second week. If you have a muscle repair and have heavier lifting and/or drive long routes it may be at least 4-6 weeks. This is to protect the muscle repair while healing more strong and/or to reduce your risk of DVT/PE during the first month after surgery.

return to work following a TT depends on a number of factors including: extent of TT, performance of muscle repair, BMI., geenral health, and type of work. While most patients may return to non-strenuous work in 2=3 weeks, as a truck driver I would recommend 3-4 weeks. If there is heavy lifting as well, I would recommend 4-6 weeks off. But you should discuss all this with your operating surgeon. Good luck!