

There will still be lots of swelling, but even so it should be easy to see that there’s a big difference in your appearance. Your bandages might be removed, and you’ll have your first opportunity to see your new tummy and waistline. In all situations, be sure to follow your plastic surgeon‘s advice so that your tummy tuck recovery is as safe as possible. Avoid sun exposure for at least three months to prevent these problems.

#Mini tummy tuck recovery week by week skin
In general, sun exposure can irritate the sensitive skin around your incisions and can even cause skin discoloration. If you have antibiotics, be sure to finish the whole course. If you receive any medications, take them as directed.This ensures you’re not putting stress on your stomach muscles when you go. A low-sodium diet can help reduce swelling, and a high-fiber diet will reduce your need to strain during bowel movements. A few diet modifications can make your recovery easier.If your job is more physical, it may be two or three weeks before you can return. If you have a mostly sedentary job with no heavy lifting, you can return to work after a week.We typically tell patients that they can return to running three weeks after surgery and return to weight-training six weeks after surgery. Heavy exercise can increase the swelling around your incisions, so keep a close eye on them, and limit your activity for a few days if you notice any swelling. Once you’re up and starting to exercise again, be cautious about over-exerting yourself.Wearing the compression garment also provides vital support and protection to your abdominal area while it’s healing.

This is important to help reduce swelling and hasten your recovery. Wear your compression garment as instructed, even if you have to wear it 24/7.Your stomach muscles and your incision areas are vulnerable after a tummy tuck, so avoid heavy lifting and straining, as well as high-impact exercise, for several weeks.

Over the next few days they’re gradually able to stand up straighter. Most people find that their bodies naturally adopt a slightly bent-over position when they walk for the first time after surgery. Avoid standing up straight for the first week or so to avoid straining your abdominal muscles.Make sure these movements don’t put any strain on your stomach muscles. Flexing the thigh and calf muscles and doing heal-toe movements can help with this. You won’t be able to do any high-impact exercise for several weeks, but even if you rest in bed for the first day or two, you can do simple calf and thigh exercises to keep your circulation going. It’s good to have a strong support system in place for the first few weeks, so you have people to talk to about what you’re feeling and to rely on for help with whatever you need, from getting the groceries to encouraging you through recovery.Įven though you must minimize your physical movement for the first few days, it’s still important to keep up a low level of activity to reduce the risk of blood clots. A tummy tuck changes the body dramatically, and it’s completely natural to have mood swings after making such big changes. Most people who have tummy tucks are prepared for the physical side of recovery, but one thing that surprises many people is the emotional changes they go through. This might take the form of oral medication or an injection that provides pain relief for several days. Your surgeon will provide you with a prescription for pain medication to help make you more comfortable during this time. You will experience some pain and tenderness in the abdominal area for several days after your surgery. The First Few Weeks of Tummy Tuck Recovery After 24 HoursĪt North Texas Plastic Surgery, we’ll see you 24 hours after your procedure, and we’ll continue to see you until your drains are removed. When you wake up after the surgery, you’ll feel groggy and maybe a bit confused because of the anesthetic. When you have a tummy tuck, you’ll receive a general anesthetic.
#Mini tummy tuck recovery week by week full
If the tummy tuck involves tightening the abdominal muscles, full healing can take several months. Most people find they need a few weeks to recover from the procedure. The timeline for your recovery from a tummy tuck depends on a few different things, including your physical health and what kind of tummy tuck you have.
