How Long Does It Take For Muscle Repair To Heal After Tummy Tuck

Recovery after Tummy Tuck – Abdominoplasty – Tips, Timeline and What to Expect

Many patients want to become a tummy tuck only worry about the recovery time after, how long it takes to heal, and how much pain there is going to be.

Whether yous've lost massive weight or you're a mum and want to restore a tight pre-pregnancy body, the tummy tuck is for y'all. It'due south a popular surgery that tightens the belly and gets rid of overhanging and lax peel. Merely what'due south the recovery like?

Download the Stomach Constrict Guide for more information on recovery

How is Recovery Later on Stomach Constrict?

Recovery afterwards your abdominoplasty can be a bit tougher than other surgeries. A breadbasket constrict involves a lot of tissue autopsy and trauma. Your body volition enter a reactive inflammatory country and volition concentrate all its power on promoting healing and fighting off infections.

This translates to several weeks of fatigue in improver to the usual mail service tummy tuck symptoms. So, what are the symptoms post Stomach tuck?

1. Pain

Pain after your tummy tuck is natural. It usually peaks 2-3 days subsequently your surgery, but then starts to improve as your body continues to heal. Your surgeon will give you a prescription for pain medication which are normally plenty to alleviate the pain. Resting and allowing your torso to heal will help the aches become away faster.

2. Numbness

Paraesthesia (numbness) and skin tingling after a stomach constrict is occasionally seen in some patients. Abdominoplasty involves the full thickness of your abdominal wall, which has many sensory nerve fibers transmitting sensation to your brain. Injury to these nerves can lead to temporary loss of sensation in your abdominal skin.

3. Swelling

After a tummy tuck, your lower belly, hips, thighs, and groin area will keen.

Swelling is a effect of your cells releasing inflammatory fluids to help your wounds heal and fend off microbes. The swelling peaks around 1 week later your breadbasket constrict surgery, however, it volition and then begin to dissipate on its own. That being said, a remainder minimal amount of swelling will remain in your lower belly for a few more than months.

4. Bruising

You can expect there to be bruising afterwards your abdominoplasty. Bruising is the result of damaged blood cells accumulating under your skin.

Initially, the colour of the bruises will be dark red or majestic. They will slowly start turning blue, and so yellowish-green, and will eventually completely fade abroad after approximately iii-4 weeks.

Timeline of Recovery Afterward Tummy Tuck

Knowing the recovery timeline after your abdominoplasty will assist foresee what'due south to come up in the weeks following your surgery. By having this cognition in advance you lot can make necessary preparations. Furthermore, it tin help you see the light at the finish of the tunnel.

Twenty-four hour period of your Tummy Constrict Surgery

Later on fully waking upward from anaesthesia, you volition be taken to your room to recover. You lot will be a bit drowsy at first but this will soon pass. During the outset dark, you'll be kept on strict bed rest.

You might have a couple of narrow plastic drains coming out of your wounds. These are to foreclose fluid and blood collection. They are usually removed a few days later.

In full general, you can get out the hospital 1 or 2 days after your abdominoplasty, one time your surgeon gives you the all-clear. Your surgeon may also give you belch instructions, as follows;

You lot may be given a prescription for antibiotics and hurting medication
Strictly ii-3 weeks of home rest
Y'all should have an engagement in 7-10 days for postal service operative intendance
If your surgeon uses drains, you volition need an earlier date remove your drains.
In one case you are at least 7 days post op, you lot may exist shown how you can intendance for your wounds at home
You lot should wear an abdominal binder or compression garment for at least 4 weeks, or as recommended by your surgeon which tin be up to 8 weeks
You should sleep on your back for at least 4 weeks (preferably in a recliner)
It is recommended to avoid driving for at to the lowest degree 2 weeks
It is recommended to avert strenuous activity (ie, exercise or intimacy) for 6-viii weeks postal service op

Week 1

During the first week mail-surgery, you lot need to rest and allow your body heal itself. No chores, no work, no sports. A friend or family member should assist you get everything done during this fourth dimension.

Stomach tuck pain is at its worst during the first week. Nevertheless, your prescription pain medication will help manage your hurting during this time. It is also normal to wait swelling and bruising to increase throughout the week.

During this time, you're encouraged to walk around the hospital ward or house when possible, rather than staying in bed all mean solar day. Walking helps the blood broadcast in your torso and prevents any absorb clots from forming.

By the terminate of the week, y'all should have a follow-upwardly appointment to accept your surgeon check your wounds and recovery and so far.

Calendar week two

In one case you lot enter the 2d week, you tin can slowly get back to doing light housework, as long equally they don't involve straining and bending. You can (and should) walk around the house or outside when possible.

By this time, the pain will have began to ameliorate, and later on, you will need less pain medication. The swelling will first to subside, and the bruising will commencement to fade.

That being said, sports, sex, and driving are still a no get.

Weeks iii-4

By weeks three and 4 your pain should exist most non-existent when lying down. Nevertheless, you lot may yet experience some discomfort when getting upwards from bed, sitting directly, or when driving.

You lot can mostly start to drive subsequently 2-iii weeks of your tummy tuck. Attempt to postpone any long trips till you lot are more comfy driving. At this mark, you can ordinarily get back to work as long as you do not have a labour-intensive job and there is no intense concrete action.

Intense sports and sexual intercourse are generally however not recommended before the one calendar month mark.

Weeks 4-6

After the ane calendar month mark, the initial symptoms will virtually be gone. You will take very minimal rest swelling that might hang around for a few more weeks.

You tin can enjoy the total cosmetic benefits of your abdominoplasty: no more flaps, no more than excess peel, no mommy pooch. Just a apartment and smoothen abdomen!

Generally, you can go back to lite sports activities by this time and gradually work your way up to what y'all were used to. Sex tin can also be resumed around 4 weeks after your tummy tuck, but do make sure not to overstress the surgical site.

Returning to Activities Afterward Tum Constrict

If you're planning to become a tummy tuck, yous probably want to know when you can become back to driving, having sex activity, doing sports, and sleeping normally. Here'south what our surgeons take to say:

When tin you lot become dorsum to work afterwards tummy constrict?

After abdominoplasty, nosotros recommend at to the lowest degree 2 weeks off work. During this period you lot should exist resting at home allowing your wounds to heal. Y'all need to make arrangements with your employer to stay home for at to the lowest degree 14 days.
If you have a more labour intense profession, information technology is commonly recommended to accept at least 3-4 weeks of piece of work to allow your body to fully recover.

When tin y'all drive later on tum constrict?

You lot tin by and large start driving 2-3 weeks after your tummy constrict. By this time, your wounds will have healed and will crusade you only minimal discomfort while driving. We do recommend, however, that you avoid whatever long-distance driving earlier 4 weeks so that you lot don't put a lot of stress and pressure on your abdominoplasty wounds.

When can you lot exercise after tummy tuck?

Yous're encouraged to gently start moving your torso 2-3 days after your tummy constrict. This is to help with full general recovery. This exercise should only be done indoors with supervision with advice from your surgeon.
Afterwards a week, you lot tin walk for longer distances without worrying about your wounds.
By calendar week 3 post-surgery, you can start performing moderate exercises (like calorie-free jogging), all the same, no contact sports or weightlifting.
4 weeks post-abdominoplasty, you can commonly go back to the gym.
From so on y'all can gradually pick upward the stride until you lot're back to your normal exercise routine.

When tin you have sexual activity after tummy tuck?

Yous usually demand to wait at least 4 weeks after your abdominoplasty before you can accept normal sexual intercourse.
Angle and changing positions can also put a lot of stress on your wound and prevent it from properly healing.

When can you sleep on your stomach after tummy constrict?

We commonly ask our patients to sleep on their back in a recliner for at least iv weeks later their abdominoplasty. This helps keep the wound relaxed and avoids possible injuries that can occur when you sleep on your stomach.

How to Recover Faster After Tum Constrict

Our team has put together some tips to aid you deal with the different aspects of recovery after your abdominoplasty. A simple few adjustments and remedies can assist you lot speed through a full and complication-complimentary recovery.

1. Stick to Instructions

The discharge instructions given to yous by our team should exist strictly upheld. These are all science-based recommendations that will help speed up your tum tuck recovery and boost your wound healing.

ii. Pain Medication

You shouldn't permit pain to limit your activity or interfere with your sleep afterward your tummy tuck. The medications prescribed past your surgeon will reduce abdominoplasty hurting and are extremely safe and effective if taken equally instructed.

3. Cold towels and water ice packs

Applying cold to your abdominoplasty wounds can assistance reduce the swelling and bruising, making them get away faster. Cold compresses reduce inflammation and soothe the pain.

four. Wear your compression garment

Another great solution to swelling and bruising after a tummy tuck wearing abdominal binders or pinch garments. These custom-fit garments can employ well-distributed pressure on your whole abdomen, protecting your wound from harmful tension, and reducing bruising and swelling later abdominoplasty. Y'all should vesture your pinch intestinal binder for at least 4-viii weeks post tummy tuck, day and night.

5. Get a Recliner

A recliner can make it much easier to sleep with your upper trunk elevated. This reduces tension on your abdominoplasty wound.

6. Apply a stack of pillows

If you don't have a recliner, put a high stack of pillows under your head and upper torso to keep yourself in a slightly aptitude posture. You can put pillows on your side to back up you since yous'll exist sleeping on your back for some time.

Practice'southward and Don'ts After Tummy Tuck

If you don't have time to read all our tips and merely want the gist of information technology, here's a summary of what yous tin can and can't do afterwards your tum tuck;

The Dos;
- Stick to your surgeon's instructions
- Utilise common cold compresses and towels
- Follow a good for you sleep routine
- Sleep on your back for at least 4 weeks
- Wearable compression garments for at to the lowest degree 1 month
- Go along your compression garment on while sleeping
The Donts;
- No driving earlier 2-3 weeks
- Exercise is prohibited earlier iii-iv weeks
- No sex for at least 1 calendar month
- Don't sleep on your stomach is for at least 4 weeks

Tummy Tuck Recovery – 7 Top Questions

i. What is the normal recovery time for a tummy tuck?

The recovery time from a Breadbasket Tuck surgery can vary from patient to patient.
Information technology can be helpful to allow 3 months or more than to feel completely recovered – although near patients are through the majority of the healing menstruation in just a few calendar week'due south time.
Bruising and swelling, can have longer than two weeks.
On average, y'all'll need 2 weeks or more off of your normal piece of work, parenting and domicile responsibilities; plus another vi to 12 weeks to allow your body to recover and heal.

two. What y'all can and can't do after getting a Tummy Tuck?

You'll typically tin't Drive a car, lift children or anything else, for several weeks after having a Breadbasket Tuck.
Yous'll typically demand to look about 10-12 weeks earlier resuming any more strenuous activities, sometimes longer.
High impact sports or preparation should be avoided for the duration specified past your Surgeon.
If you are a competitive athlete, hash out your competition goals and your schedule with your Surgery planning team as far in advance equally possible.
Recall, when you lot get a Stomach Tuck, your trunk has been through reconstructive surgery.
Yous may not feel fully healed for upwardly to three months to as long as four or v months.
Some patients say their healing felt like information technology took half dozen months to up to a year – remember, every person's different.
But in general, most patients go dorsum to the majority of their normal day to day activities within a catamenia of a few months.
Exist patient!

three. How painful is a Stomach Tuck?

Information technology may even leave y'all feeling as if you can't stand tall. In time, the skin will arrange and the sensations will become less uncomfortable.

Discomfort and the sensation of extreme intestinal skin tightness (that leaves you lot feeling you can't properly stand up or stretch tall) volition typically subside over a period of several days to several weeks.
This is office of the process of getting you a tighter, flatter tummy.
The scar maturation of your incision lines can take up to 2 years to fully mature (we offer special minimisation treatments, ask us during a consultation).

4. What are some tips to aid me heal and recover faster?

Even if y'all're healthy, don't await to 'bounce back' quickly – particularly if yous had a sophisticated procedure that included liposuction shaping as well as Diastasis Recti Repair.
Brand sure you have someone at that place to help you for – ideally – a calendar week or two afterward surgery (prepare meals, help you dress/bathe or go to the bath) – as your body is going to need healing time.
Don't push yourself or you lot could harm your incision lines, including leading to an infection or tearing out your stitches – or lead to a bigger scar.
Practice your research so you know what to wait.
Be patient about how long it takes; expect variance.
Use your RAPID RECOVERY TIPS as instructed, including all suggested supplements and probiotics.
Set your healing environment up to be conducive to resting and recovery (make it a prissy place to sleep, balance and heal). Read more on How to Sleep Later on Abdominoplasty.

Ask your Plastic Surgeon for information and back up if yous have whatever concerns about your healing process or your incision line care.

5. Why is the recovery time for a mini tum constrict different?

The mini Tum Constrict recovery fourth dimension is likely to be a bit shorter than a full Tummy Tuck.
It depends on what type of process was performed.
Even a 'mini tummy constrict' is a bespoke procedure, so no two mini tummy tucks volition ever be identical.
If liposuction was also used for shaping, your recovery may take a fleck longer than if your procedure involved only skin reduction.
The factors listed above volition influence recovery from a full tummy constrict vs a mini tummy constrict.

In other words, the same factors still utilise for a mini tum tuck as for a total tum constrict. The primal difference is that you may have less discomfort or less abdominal tightness, and you may be able to return to normal activities a few weeks sooner than if y'all've had a full breadbasket tuck/abdominoplasty with abdominal muscle repairs for diastasis recti (torn abs). However, few patients are suitable candidates for a mini-tummy tuck, and it may non become them the tighter, trimmer tummy area they're wanting. If you accept a mini Tummy Constrict, chances are you are very athletic and but accept a scrap of loose skin (but no real intestinal muscle separation and no excess abdominal fat).

Be certain yous DON'T blitz dorsum into exercising after a mini-tummy tuck.
Ask your Plastic Surgeon what he or she recommends almost returning to exercise subsequently an Abdominoplasty or Mini Tummy Constrict

six. Why does the recovery from Tummy Constrict Surgery vary then much from patient to patient?

The main reason is that no 2 Tummy Tuck procedures are alike. Every surgery is bespoke. The type of Tum Tuck surgery y'all have may exist more complex, or more intensive a process, than another person. Additional factors that can impact your healing and recovery afterwards a Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty include:

your social support organisation and calm support
your overall health
your skin health/skin condition
whether or non liposuction was used for improved torso shaping
the quality of the rest you're getting, and what you consume, drink and otherwise consume
life stress; unexpected stressful events
whether yous return to work too soon

So await some variance and ask your Surgeon what is normal during recovery from a Tummy Tuck.

7. Tin can I encounter before and later photos of real patients?

Tum Constrict Recovery FAQs

Tin can I bend over afterwards tummy constrict?

In general, you need to go on a straight abdomen with slight angle while recovering after your tummy tuck.
You lot should avoid bending over besides much (eastward.g. to pick up your kid) for the kickoff iv-vi weeks after your abdominoplasty.

What happens if yous don't article of clothing a compression garment afterward breadbasket tuck?

Intestinal compression apparel help reduce swelling and bruising and protect your abdominoplasty wound by applying constant pressure level on the surgical surface area.
Seroma (fluid collection) and hematoma (blood collection) are more likely to happen if you don't wearable your compression garment after a tummy tuck.

Why is my stomach not apartment after a tummy tuck?

Swelling needs effectually 6 weeks to fully get away. Fifty-fifty then, a residue amount might remain a couple more months before it's resorbed past your cells. Just then can yous fully experience the total benefit of your tummy tuck.

When can I wear jeans later tummy tuck?

In general, information technology is recommended that you habiliment calorie-free garment pants after your stomach tuck. Jeans can be too harsh on your wounds and tin can cause unnecessary pressure and injury.
Yous tin can safely go dorsum to wearing loose-fitting jeans effectually two-three weeks after your tummy tuck.

Tin can I lay on my side after stomach constrict?

After your tummy tuck, it'southward recommended to sleep on your back for at least iv weeks.
Sleeping on your side might lead to accidental injury and volition bulldoze the inflammatory response toward one side of your belly causing it to swell.

Why are my thighs so bloated after tummy tuck?

Subsequently abdominoplasty, fluid seeps under your skin and accumulates in nearby areas, one of them being your thighs.
Thigh swelling is a normal result of abdominoplasty.

How practise you lot get out of bed after a tummy tuck?

To get out of bed, you demand to support your upper body with your arms (without tensing your stomach), rotate yourself, and then back up yourself with your legs. Give yourself a little push, and y'all're up!

Medical Sources:

Tummy constrict – Mayo Clinic
Stomach Tuck: Plastic Surgery – Cleveland Clinic
Abdominoplasty today
Sleep helps healing.
How Sleep Helps Your Torso Recover from Injury
Intestinal binders may reduce pain and improve physical part later on major abdominal surgery – a systematic review
Utilize of Intestinal Binders after a Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Complications of abdominoplasty later weight loss as a result of bariatric surgery or dieting/postpregnancy
Abdominoplasty: Adventure Factors, Complication Rates, and Prophylactic of Combined Procedures