What can I expect post procedure? What is the recovery time for a Tummy Tuck?

After surgery, compression garments are worn to decrease on swelling and support the surgical area as it heals. Discharge from the surgical center usually occurs within an hour after surgery and instructions for care and pain control are gone over prior to discharge. Patients must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will stay to take care of them for at least twelve hours after discharge.

The drains and some sutures are removed about seven to 10 days after the procedure. Any discomfort is controlled with prescribed pain medication, along with muscle relaxants. Walking is encouraged within a few days after surgery but no strenuous activity or lifting is allowed for three to four weeks. If discomfort accompanies an activity it should be avoided. Most patients can return to work after one to two weeks depending on the type of work performed. More strenuous exercise should be deferred until approximately eight weeks after surgery when the abdominal wall is healed enough to take the strain of more stress. It is important that the freshly strengthened and reinforced abdominal wall be given adequate time to heal. The final contour evolves over several months as swelling resolves and skin and tissues drape over the newly tightened musculature.

Abdominoplasty surgery can be combined with other procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, arm and thigh lift or mommy makeover procedures.