Walking and back pain after abdominoplasty and mastopexy, any tips?

Question

It's my 4th day of recovery post op. I'm feeling pretty good with very little pain. I get up and walk up to 5 mins every 15 mins and not run out of breath. I could walk more but my back hurts. At the moment, I can stand almost straight up but just slightly bent at the waist. Am I overdoing or underdoing the walking? Any tips to relieve back pain without resorting to pain killers?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

You may find yourself hunched over for a few days post op; this can be attributed to a combination of repair and incision.  The muscles have been irritated to a certain extent by plication and the surgery itself.  The abdominal wall may need several months to get accustomed to the changes.  You should be walking normally by week 3 but perhaps at a slower pace with less back pain.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Los Angeles, CA

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.At 4 days post-op you are doing fine with getting up and walking. You should be staying flexed at the waist for the first week which will start to cause some discomfort in the back, which is completely normal. This is because you are using different muscles and it causes strain on them. The back pain will subside, take it easy and give yourself time to heal.

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

It sounds like you are doing fantastically for 4 days.  Back discomfort is a common issue, as you will need to be hunched over a bit to walk until the skin relaxes.  Try to engage your core muscles a little to take some strain off your back, and ensure you are wearing your compression or support garment.  Within a week you should be straighter & this should ease your back. All the best

Walking and back pain after abdominoplasty and mastopexy, any tips?

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Walking and back pain after abdominoplasty and mastopexy, any tips?

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