Downtime & recovery of liposuction vs. tummy tuck w/ lipo: is the recovery similar?

Thanks for the question, I tell patients for a tummy tuck they need 7-10 days off of work and recovery is a month. Lipo is 3 days off work and back to gym in 3 weeks.

A tummy tuck will require around two weeks of downtime whereas liposuction alone will only keep you down for a day or two. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended to see which procedure (or combination of the two) will give you the best results. Best wishes!

No matter who is performing the procedures, the recover is usually significantly different.  Lipo can be a relatively easy recovery if performed in an advanced manner (PRECISION SCULPT®).  A tummy tuck is recovery is usually uncomfortable due to the muscle tightening and the more extensive incisions and tissue manipulation.  Long story short, Lipo recovery is days while tummy tuck recovery is weeks.

Thank you for your question. A tummy tuck with lipo will have a much different recovery then lipo on its own. After a tummy tuck, patients should plan on 2 weeks of downtime, whereas with lipo, the down time is 1-2 days. You should have an in person consult with a board certified plastic surgeon before making any decision about which surgery to have. Ultimately, you should move forward with the surgical plan that will give you the best results, not base your plan on down time alone.

Dear Runxo,recovery time for tummy tuck is approximately 2 weeks. Vigorous activities should be limited for at least six weeks. Recovery time for liposuction is shorter and patients are usually able to go back to work after a few days. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Everyone heals differently, but in general liposuction patients are able to return to work faster than tummy tuck patients, generally within a few days depending on the type of work they do. tummy tuck patients usually can return to work within 10 to 14 days. As far as the results go, a patient that is a candidate for a tummy tuck most likely will not be happy with liposuction results which can leave sagging skin that only a tummy tuck will address. be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

While the timelines for recovery may be similar, the tummy tuck is clearly the more intense of the 2 procedures. It is typically more painful with a slower return to normal activities. This is likely a function of the added discomfort which stems from muscle plication/tightening. The intensity is more similar when there is no muscle involvement (skin-only tummy tuck). In my experience, most liposuction patients can return to most activities by 7-10 days (depending upon the procedure and patient). By contrast, most abdominoplasty patients will require the better part of 2 weeks for a return to baseline.In either case, the initial healing process will usually last 6-8 weeks with final results not evident for 3-6 months.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

It's unlikely that any two TT patients will recover at the same pace.  Much depends upon the health of the patient prior to surgery, and the level of physical activity and lifting following surgery.  Depending upon your recovery from the procedures, your plastic surgeon may shorten or lengthen this period. 
Most of my patients indicate that the pain during TT recovery is worth the amazing results.  The pain/discomfort after the TT comes from the muscle tightening.  I caution my patients that their abdominal muscles need time to repair, so I advise them to avoid strenuous exercise for a period of six weeks.  Our office recommends that someone stay with you for the first 24-48 hours after surgery.  
Following 10-12 days of recuperation, you should be able to return to a sedentary job. Total recovery may take six months.I think that many patients require prescription pain medications for the first week or so with the transition to the use of Tylenol for the next week.The recovery time for liposuction can vary depending on whether you were under local anesthesia by the tumescent technique or whether you were under general anesthesia. If under local, then you are up and about moving around the next day but you are leaking fluids for 2 days so most patients wait 2 days to go back to work. I recommend you do not workout or do any strenuous activity for the first week. You will be sore for 1-2 weeks and require some type of pain medication for the first week if not days, after the procedure. To speed up recovery you should be up and moving, once doing so the soreness will diminish progressively. 
 Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that can often be done under local anesthesia in a board certified plastic surgeons office.  The downtime for liposuction is minimal, with often only a day or two before you can return to work.  In order for the body to properly heal, the recovery process includes restrictions to lifting (usually anything over 5lbs) as well as working out and wearing a compression garment to help keep swelling down.  A tummy tuck is an invasive procedure that takes place in a hospital under general anesthesia.  During the tummy tuck procedure the abdominal muscles are tightened and the skin is pulled down to create the smooth, flat stomach that is desired.  The downtime for a tummy tuck varies but is typically about one week until returning to work and includes the same no lifting anything over 5lbs, no exercise or physical exertion restrictions, as well as wearing a compression garment for 4-6 weeks and careful monitoring and tending to the tummy tuck incision.  It is important to also remember that liposuction only removes fat and does not address the skin so rather than have two surgeries, the slightly longer, less comfortable recovery of the tummy tuck might be worth it. 

Dear Runxo,You should not be hesitating if you need a tummy tuck don't consider a lipo alone as a possibility because of time recovery, you won't be happy with your results. Best wishes.