

This helps ensure you’ve set realistic expectations.ĭuring the follow-up visit with your surgeon, he or she will decide if it is the right time to remove your mesh strip bandage. It’s also essential to understand what recovery will look like, and how long it will take. Try to eat low-sodium foods to reduce inflammation, and increase fiber intake to decrease strain during bowel movements.Īlcohol, smoking, and excessive sun exposure should be avoided for at least three months post-surgery. Patients may want to keep their diets light in the days following surgery to ensure they’re not straining their stomach muscles. An abdominal support garment should also help with swelling and discomfort. Most surgeons will prescribe antibiotics and anticoagulants for patients to take. You may feel some pain and tenderness at the site for several days. You’ll have difficulty bending, lifting, and standing for long periods, so having someone around to provide assistance can be beneficial to your recovery. Several Days After Surgeryīecause you’ll have limited mobility for a few days following the abdominoplasty, you’ll need to recruit help. You won’t be able to drive yourself home, so make the proper arrangements. You will be instructed on the types of physical activity to avoid, how long to wear an abdominal pressure garment, and more. The secured mesh over the incision will not require any daily maintenance.
#Tummy tuck recovery period how to
You’ll be told how to care for your drain tubes. A mesh strip surgical dressing will be placed along the incisions, and small tubes around these, to drain any built-up fluid.įollow your surgeon’s instructions to ensure you are adequately prepared for a successful recovery. Your abdomen will be secured with an abdominal binder, which is later exchanged for a compression garment. For more specific information, contact your surgeon.

Long Island’s premier plastic surgery practice Buglino Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery developed a useful timeline explaining the various stages of recovery following your abdominoplasty. After the procedure, your surgeon will discuss your specific road to healing, but patients typically see results and feel fully recovered eight weeks later. The timeline for tummy tuck recovery varies, based on the individual patient and factors such as age, general health, type of tummy tuck (extended or mini), and level of post-surgery care. This helps ensure you’ve set realistic expectations. From there, the two of you can discuss how to effectively achieve them. Convey these goals to the board-certified plastic surgeon during your consultation. When considering a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, you’ll more than likely envision the end result right from the very start.
