How soon can I return to work after a tummy tuck?

Your specific recovery timeline depends on the nuances of your particular case, but I typically recommend tummy tuck patients to take a minimum of 2 weeks off from work. However, the 2-week mark is still too soon to lift anything much heavier than 5 pounds. You may need to take an additional 2 weeks before getting back to work. If taking a full month off from work isn’t feasible, I recommend discussing the situation with your colleagues. You may be able to work a modified schedule while you continue to heal.

Thank you for your question! For my patients having a tummy tuck procedure, I recommend they take 10 days off of work, 3 weeks off of cardio at the gym, and 6 weeks off of weight lifting and yoga exercises. If your job requires that you lift over 10 lbs, I recommend you take the full 6 weeks off. Otherwise, return to light duty, without lifting over 10 lbs for the first 6 weeks post op. I hope this helps!

I tell my patients that they will probably be able to return to work in 10 to 14 days as long as there is no heavy lifting. You need to have a discussion with your surgeon who knows you best about this. Good luck.

Hello and thank you for your
question.  For patients with a desk job, you can return to work in 2 weeks.  For jobs with significant lifting, I advise 3-4 weeks.  If you are an appropriate candidate for a tummy tuck, this can be done
through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look
natural and have no scars on the exterior.  
Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Many patients can return to a desk job within 2 weeks after tummy tuck  as long as  they  refrain from any strenuous lifting activities.  If you have any  way to avoid patient lifting then potentially you may be able to get to work within a two-week period. However if any sort of lifting is required I typically tell my patients that unrestricted activities are allowed only after 6 weeks at which point the muscles have healed completely and you risk no chance of disrupting the muscle repair.  Hope this helps. Good luck

Based on my own experience you will need at least 1 month for recovery. If your procedure is combined with liposuction and muscle Repair, definitely one month and another couple of easy activities. Be encouraged Dr. Cardenas  

Every plastic surgeon has different postoperative protocols for tummy tucks. That being said general rules like - 2 weeks to desk job, 4 weeks before any lifting are reasonable. Adjustments can always be made based on whether or not muscle plication is done, and how much skin is removed. Discuss in depth with your plastic surgeon and make sure that you both agree on the plan and postoperative recommendations.

Usually patients will return to work and all their usual activities two weeks after surgery but you have a very physical job and you would not be able to do any heavy lifting of patients And would need the help of others or a machine for six weeks after surgery. After six weeks after surgery you can return all the usual physical activities with no restrictions on your physical activity.

Hello and thank you for your question, every surgeon has their own opinion, and of course every patient has their own recovery time.The best advice you can received  is in a personal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. I recommend my patients from 10-15 days to return to their normal activities.  All the best!!

Recovery time following a tummy tuck depends primarily on how extensive the procedure is, whether the abdominal muscle was 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. However, in a patient with a strenuous job requiring heavy lifting, I would recommend waiting at least 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