How Long Can I Expect Pain After a Tummy Tuck?

I do a lot of tummy tucks and patients' level of discomfort is very individual. In general though most patients take both ibuprofen and a narcotic compound such as Vicodin together immediately after surgery. It is typical that Vicodin is no longer needed after two to three days and ibuprofen is enough.
Tummy tuck is a big surgery so it is important to plan enough time off work and have enough help at home, particularly if you have young children. The first days are uncomfortable but my patients are pretty happy pretty quickly.

Tummy tucks vary in extent and therefore the pain can vary tremendously depending on what is accomplished during the procedure: mini vs full, with or without  SAL, muscle plication, etc. Furthermore the individuals response to any injury can also vary. In most instances many individuals are back to routine daily activities by two weeks with the exception of strenous activity or exercise for typically 6 weeks.

A Tummy Tuck is associated with a short duration of post-surgical pain and 1-4 months feeling of tightness which always goes away.

The degree of pain varies with the patient, the way the surgery was carried out and with any associated procedures. If the patient receives long-lasting anesthesia DURING surgery, there is hardly any pain after Tummy Tuck and NO hunching over. The vast majority of patients do not require opiate pain pills a week after the surgery and do well with over the counter medications such as Motrin/Advil etc.

The tightness is subjective and is a new feeling for women who were used to a loose feeling tummy. It lasts for 1-4 months and goes away.

Of all the operations we do in Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tuck has a high satisfaction because it literally transforms your body and increases your self-confidence. I would not let pain issues dissuade you from having it.

Dr. P. Aldea