I'm getting a tummy tuck with muscle repair. Recliner or no recliner?

Hi Imaginative,
A tummy tuck will remove a vertical height of your abdomen, generally between your belly button and your pubic hairline. In order to close this vertical deficiency in skin, your surgeon will undermine the upper abdominal skin to the costal margin (where you feel the ribs converging toward the midline), and will also sit you up in bed.
The flexed position allows the strong layer (Scarpas fascia) to be closed between the top and bottom incision lines. You can expect to walk hunched over for the first 2-4 weeks as your tissues stretch. If you have plication, then your surgeon will probably recommend a post-op lifting restriction (in my practice, this is 5 pounds for the first 8-10 weeks).
Sleeping in a flexed position--either in a recliner chair or with several pillows behind your back and knees--will be necessary after surgery. If you are in a bed, you can roll to your side and use your oblique muscles to help sit up. This is especially important if you have rectus muscle (6 pack muscle) plication. Recliner chairs can be deep...meaning that the chair may sit you up most of the way, but you may have to engage your core to get up and out. This may be painful, and may violate your post-op lifting restriction.
If you want to use a recliner, I would suggest trying it out in advance, and confirming you can get in and out without engaging your core. Otherwise, a bed with pillows behind your knees and back should be just fine.
Best of luck,Chris Pannucci MDSpokane, WA

Hmmm... I would touch base with your plastic surgeon. For TT we like anything that keeps you comfortable and bent at the waist- a recliner fits that criteria as does a beach chair. If those are not possible, then use 3 pillows behind your back and 2 underneath your knees. Best Wishes!!

Sleeping with waist bent and legs elevated is probably the most helpful and most comfortable position after a TT. A recliner (especially a powered recliner) will be a great place to recuperate the first few weeks after surgery.

While recovering from a tummy tuck patients often find the most comfortable position is with their torso semi reclined and the knees bent. This relieves the tension on the abdomen. If a recliner isn't an option many patients recreate this position with the help of pillows.

If you want a recliner, then get one. Many people love their recliner for naps and watching TV. I would suggest not buying one just for surgery, though.