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Thank you for your question. I have operated on many nurses who have undergone a tummy tuck. It is rare that nurses have only desk jobs - and most underestimate just how much work they do and how much lifting and walking they do as they take care of patients! Since most abdominoplasties involve tightening of the abdominal wall fascia, you will need to restrict your activities during the first six weeks after a tummy tucks so that your repair is not compromised. If the fascial sutures do tear, you may end up with a localized bulge that will compromise your result. Therefore, no patient lifting, but also no lifting of anything more than 15 pounds, no squatting, and in general avoiding any core trunk exercises. My best wishes for an uneventful recovery.
There are many physical demands involved in the nursing profession, including lifting patients. For this reason, it’s advised that you modify your duties until 6 to 8 weeks after your tummy tuck. Although many women are able to return to work within 2 weeks of an abdominoplasty, you may need more time to recover before you’re able to resume your line of work. Work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in tummy tuck procedures, and carefully follow their recovery guidelines to optimize your results.
If you’re getting a tummy tuck and correcting diastasis recti, you might have to refrain from full nursing duties for about 8 weeks. Nursing can involve strenuous activities, like lifting patients, therefore 8 weeks is recommended. However, if your work is sedentary, then you can return much sooner. Having said that, you should really ask your surgeon what they recommend. Their advice might be different.
If your nursing duties include heavy lifting, moving patients, and similar duties, then you will be advised not to do this for 6-8 weeks after your surgery. However, if you could modify your return to work and temporarily be on light duty schedule, then you could be back at work by 2-3 weeks. Discuss with your plastic surgeon.
Thank you for your question and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. After a tummy tuck and muscle repair it's typically recommended that you not lift greater than 10-15 pounds for six weeks. If you are able to avoid lifting/transfers/etc, I would anticipate that you would be back at work after 2-3 weeks. Speak with your surgeon about their exact recommendations.
