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.

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.

Thank you for the question. Normally a full recovery in general can take from 6-8 weeks. This can allow you to return to normal activities without any restrictions in most patients. If you perform light duty you may be able to return to work as early as 2 weeks. It is best to discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Generally, a patient can return to work after 2 weeks. You should discuss the activities that constitute "full duty" with your surgeon to see if you need to modify your usual workload.

Hello and thank you for your question.   For patients who have office based jobs with no heavy lifting, I recommend 2 weeks.  Since your nursing job likely involves lifting, I recommend four weeks.  I have operated on some nurses who return to work with lifting restrictions within two weeks.  If you are an appropriate candidate, a tummy tuck can be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the
bikini line.  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.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your upcoming tummy tuck procedure.  Depending on your job requirements I would recommend 4-6 weeks.  If you are largely administrative and supervisory I would anticipate the shorter end, if you are supplying direct patient care and moving/turning patients you would benefit from the added weeks of recovery.  Hope this helps.

My recommendation for Tummytuck patients is no heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Since your job includes moving and turning patients, I would try to take 6 weeks, unless you can be assured of having help with turning patients, then 4-5 weeks. Good luck!

Within a few hours following surgery, abdominoplasty patients will walk in a slightly bent-over position. Strenuous activity and lifting of more than 10 pounds should be avoided for six weeks after surgery. Most patients are able to return to work and daily activities within two weeks of surgery.Most patients will be placed in an abdominal binder, which they will wear the first week. There is usually a fair amount of swelling and the binder should be opened several times a day so that there are no pressure points. After the first 7 to 10 days the patient is placed in an elastic garment for compression over the next six weeks. You can return to full activity without restrictions at 6 weeks. Good luck.