Will a week off after tummy tuck be sufficient?

Hello and thank you for your question. Generally speaking, recovery from tummy tuck is 1-2 weeks. Given that you can work from home, I would say one week is enough. Best,

Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Hello and thank you for your question.  Recovery from a tummy tuck is typically 1-2 weeks, but most patients of mine return to work after 1 week (if they have a "desk" job).  In terms of formal exercise, I recommend a full 6 weeks off.  Please be sure your board-certified plastic surgeon addressed all your concerns about a tummy tuck and discussed the surgery details including the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Just to review the tummy tuck details -- the necessary skin and fat is removed, the abdominal muscles are plicated (tightened), a small umbilical incision is made that is not externally visible (to give you an "innie" belly button), and a short, low waistline incision is designed to be easily hidden by your underwear or bikini.  Please view plenty of before-and-after pictures in real women (and not just computer-generated images) who have a similar abdominal appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.  And lastly, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.
For further information on tummy tucks, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS

Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Many of my patients return to work after 4 - 7 days if that work is nonstrenuous and sedentary. You should be fine performing your work from home after a week of rest and recuperation if your TT is uneventful. Your best answer will come from the board certified PS who performs your procedure.

Thank you for your question.  I typically tell  my patients 1 week to 10 days off after a tummy tuck.  You will definitely feel fine to do computer work and phone calls even sooner.  Each surgeon will have their own recommendation they will wish you to follow. Best of luck to you. 

Depending on the extent of your surgery and how your recovery goes, 2 weeks off of work may be sufficient. However, it depends on the opinion of your surgeon.

Hello!You will likely be fine after a week as long as you are sitting at a desk without any exertional requirement.. Be sure to ask about pain management because you absolutely need to be up and walking. Will you be getting muscle repair? If no, less discomfort. Ask about muscle injection at the time of your surgery with Exparel or Marcaine - those help! 

Dear AfroPuff,
Recovery time is approximately 2 weeks. Vigorous activities should be limited for at least six weeks. During your postoperative care, your plastic surgeon should provide specific instructions for your individual recovery. Following these instructions can help reduce post-surgery complications as well as speed up recovery tim
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your question.  Assuming you work from home it would be fine to take a week off.  If you had to travel or perform any meaningful activity I would recommend at least 2 weeks. Hope this helps

I appreciate your concerns, and I usually recommend at least one full week off from work and at least 4 to 6 weeks off of any strong physical activity like strenuous workouts. However, if you can work from home, and do not have to travel to work or do any strenuous activities, one week off is certainly an option. Please understand that initially, your stamina may be decreased, and it may take a few days before a full, continuous workday, even at home, can be achieved. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to confirm my advice. Good luck.

In my experience, with a muscle tightening tummy tuck most patients take about two weeks off. I often tell my patients to consider a third week but hopefully not need it.  That said by the second week many are able to work from home, even though they are not ready to go into work. Best to check with our PS as well.I have included TT faq below as well.Best wishes.