On Average, How Long Can I Expect Pain from Tummy Tuck to Last?

Question

On average, how long does it take the pain of the muscle repair with Tummy Tuck to not feel as though you are being ripped apart when you cough? 
I had a C-section almost 8 years ago, and a tummy tuck with muscle repair 7 days ago. I must say that the muscle repair is by far the worst pain I have felt, and I have been told that I have a high pain tolerance.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello newtummy2soon,

Thank you for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing significant pain following your tummy tuck procedure.

Pain levels and recovery experiences can vary greatly from person to person, but on average, patients typically experience the most intense discomfort in the first week after surgery. The pain associated with muscle repair during a tummy tuck can indeed be quite intense, especially during activities like coughing or moving suddenly.

In most cases, the intensity of the pain gradually subsides over the course of 7 to 10 days as your body begins to heal. It's essential to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully, including taking prescribed pain medications as directed and avoiding activities that could strain the abdominal muscles.

If you find that your pain is not improving or if you have concerns about your recovery, I recommend reaching out to your plastic surgeon for guidance. They can assess your situation and provide personalized advice to help manage your discomfort and ensure a smooth recovery process.

Please don't hesitate to seek medical attention if you experience severe or persistent pain, as this could be a sign of complications that require prompt attention.

Wishing you a speedy and comfortable recovery.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

IF pain control is any indication, it appears that most patients require more extensive medications during the first 7-10 days after which they taper their use until about 3 weeks.

David Rankin, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most rewarding surgeries performed in plastic surgery and has one of the highest patient satisfactions. However, it is definitely the most painful as well! The tightening of the muscle produces significant pain and may persist until the muscles are fully healed. This can be as long as three months or more and varies from patient to patient. It generally is worst for the first two weeks and then gets progressively better with time.  I always use a pain pump for my tummy tuck patients which slowly drips pain medicine into the wound for three days. I also recommend the use of muscle relaxants like Flexeril post operatively.

David Finkle, MD · Answer

Thanks to a new pain medication, Exparel, the pain from a tummy tuck is less and more controlled.  Exparel is placed at the time of surgery and allows for 3-4 days of pain relief without the need for a pain pump or narcotic pain pills.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Most of the discomfort from a tummy tuck is from the abdominal muscle plication.  This usually improves by about 10 days to two weeks.

On Average, How Long Can I Expect Pain from Tummy Tuck to Last?

Answers (7)

Answer: Less pain after a tummy tuck

Answer: Less pain after a tummy tuck

Answer: Pain from tummy tuck

Answer: Pain from tummy tuck

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On Average, How Long Can I Expect Pain from Tummy Tuck to Last?

Answers (7)

Answer: Less pain after a tummy tuck

Answer: Less pain after a tummy tuck

Answer: Pain from tummy tuck

Answer: Pain from tummy tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.