I'm a nurse and I'm getting a tummy tuck and I wanted to know how long before I can go back to work full duty?

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.