How long after a tummy tuck am I "out of the woods" in regards to worrying about blood clots and wound separation?

Question

I am currently 10 days out and these two things are my largest concerns. I have a wonderful PS but I don't want to bother them with my silly paranoia questions. So I'll bother you instead! Lol. Thanks in advance for your answers.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question. In the majority of cases once you have cleared a couple of weeks of recovery you should be safe from signficant wound healing issues or blood clots.  Hope this helps.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Risks for blood clots and deep suture/ separation is typically 4-6 weeks.Frequent but not heavy movement, hydration, etc should be observed during this time frame.Close follow up with your plastic surgeon is recommended.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Even though you do not want to bother your PS, that is the best person to answer your questions as he/she is aware of any complications during your surgery and the progress of your healing.   Your PS knows your personal risk profile based on your medical history, the elasticity of your skin, the type of abdominoplasty performed, your lifestyle, and other factors.   In general, after the first two weeks of recovery from the TT, you would be "out of the woods" WRT blood clots and wound separation.   Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear shivaangel,in most cases blood clots occurs because of prolonged inactivity, so if you are moving a lot then you should be safe. Regarding the wound separation, in most cases it occurs in the first few weeks after the surgery. Once the wound is fully healed, there is smaller chance of separation. If you have any concerns, I would suggest you to discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Robert M. Kachenmeister, MD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out. There is not a specific timeline for healing, and your concerns are not silly at all! As surgeons, we are there to ease our patients concerns. At 10 days, you should be on a great road to recovery! Be sure to ask any questions and express any concerns to your surgeon at your follow ups and follow their post op instructions closely! Congrats on your procedure. Dr. Kachenmeister

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

These are actually questions that you should be asking your plastic surgeon if you want the most accurate answers as he/she operated on you and know your medical history. In general, except in unusual situations, the time period for blood clot risks can be up to a month though it can develop after that rarely. Healing issues you will be able to determine that within the first few weeks.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Usually about three weeks after surgery you are out of the major complications. Please follow instructions from your PS

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually if you are doing well at ten days out and healing nicely, you are likely "out of the woods", but there is not definite time for issues. Most develop within the first 2-3 weeks.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your concerns are understandable. The vast majority of patients who are going to have problems with blood clots and/or pulmonary  complications will experience these within the first 10 days or so after surgery.  At this point, I would suggest ongoing efforts with frequent ambulation... On the other hand, incision line separation problems may arise (for one reason or another) within the first six weeks or so after tummy tuck surgery. In my practice, I ask my patients to focus on staying flexed at the waist (to decrease tension on the incision line),  to increase activity very gradually, and to focus on well-balanced nutritional support. I hope this helps.

Lawrence N. Gray, MD (retired) · Answer

Wound separation, infections and blood clots typically would occur within the first week.  It would be extremely uncommon to develops later.

How long after a tummy tuck am I "out of the woods" in regards to worrying about blood clots and wound separation?

Answers (11)

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