Your Tummy Tuck Recovery
With good planning, your tummy tuck should be smooth and worry-free – and with minimal if any discomfort.
Discomfort Is Usually Minimal
For the first few days following surgery, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you may have some soreness. This can be controlled by the pain medication we prescribe for you. Most people are surprised at how little pain they feel, because we use local anesthetic during the procedure as part of our Minimal Pain Program. This makes the treated areas numb.
We will give you detailed instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible. There is no “bedrest” following this procedure — we want you to move around, though always with caution and with assistance at first. Make sure to have someone around the house to help you for the first few days after you go home.
Returning to Normal Activities
You should do normal light activities around the house a few days after your tummy tuck. Don’t wax the floors of your kitchen (as we had one patient do three days following her tummy tuck), but don’t just sit around either. You can start doing normal light activities out of the house about five days following your tummy tuck. Some people return to work after about ten days, while others take a bit longer to rest and recuperate.
Once you reach the two week point following your Beverly Hills tummy tuck, the main activity restriction remaining is no heavy lifting of more than fifteen pounds. You should plan on this restriction to continue for at least another month. It may take you a few weeks to feel completely “normal” in your new tighter body. Exercise will help you heal better. Even people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles. Vigorous workouts, however, should be avoided until you can do it comfortably. This is usually about three weeks following the procedure.
We Work on Your Scars After Your Surgery
Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first few weeks as they heal, but this is normal. We will be seeing you throughout your recovery, and will work with you to make the scars heal as inconspicuously as possible. Depending on your healing, we will provide you with special creams, tapes or bandages to help with healing. Other times we suggest specific types of scar massages and even some small injections to improve final scar appearance. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they’ll never disappear completely, your abdominal scars will be low and usually will not show with most clothing, even with bathing suits.
Content courtesy of American Society of Plastic Surgeons
