A Tummy Tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure where Dr Doyle removes excess skin and excess fat from the stomach area, which can help with smoothing and tightening your mid-section. If you are considering tummy tuck surgery, you may also wish to consider tummy tuck recovery to better plan for your procedure.
The surgery can tighten your abdomen and remove any excess skin to help improve the shape of your abdomen. Depending on the amount of excess skin that is removed, the procedure can take anywhere from two to five hours. You may need to stay the night at the hospital for monitoring purposes. The results following the surgery are usually permanent, but significant weight gain or loss or pregnancy after the procedure can change this result.
There are various types of tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) available, and the most suitable type for you will depend upon your body and surgical goals. So, there are medical benefits of tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery depending on the type performed. A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) can also be performed with other procedures like Liposuction to further improve the result.
As each person is different, their rate of healing is different too. People may have their own unique experiences during the recovery period. Following the post-operative care instructions carefully will make your recovery easier and result in the best surgical outcome.
Commonly, recovery will take about four to six weeks, and a detailed description of the timeline is as below:
After the completion of the procedure, there will be some swelling, bruising, tightness of the abdomen, and discomfort. Dr Doyle will generally place drainage tubes under the skin to collect fluid and help in the healing process. This automatically squirts local anaesthetic under the skin for the first 3 days after your procedure. It is responsible for improving your pain and discomfort significantly. Before you leave the hospital, we will provide you with a compression garment that you need to wear for the next six weeks. Dr Doyle will prescribe antibiotics and pain relief medications to prevent infection at the incision site and alleviate any pain, as required.
You may need to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring and will need to have someone drive you home. This is because you may feel light-headed and sleepy from the general anaesthesia, so you’ll not be in a condition to drive home by yourself. It’s recommended you arrange for someone to take care of you for the first 48 hours following your surgery.
You should start feeling a bit better than you did on the first two days following surgery, although there will still be discomfort, tenderness, and swelling. If Dr Doyle is satisfied with your recovery, you may be allowed to take a shower. However, you should keep the drainage site dry and pat dry your incision site after showering.
You might experience constipation and stomach aches, which are side effects of the pain medication. You should try moving as much as possible, as your mobility increases, it increases the blood circulation, which aids in your recovery process.
The pain pump will be removed around this time, and it is quite common for the drains to be removed at the same time, depending on the amount of drainage you are having.
Surgical drains will be removed either at this period or earlier, depending on your rate of recovery. Your mobility will be greater than in the initial days after surgery, and you should try to increase your mobility slowly. You may even be able to stand up straight a week after the surgery.
However, you should not exert yourself physically as you’ll not be able to do a lot. You’ll still have some tightness, pain, swelling, and bruising during this period.
There will be a greater reduction in the pain, swelling, and tightness of the abdomen by 7 days post-surgery.
The pain and tightness will subside gradually, but some swelling should still be present near the incision site. You may be able to do light activities without much pain. And, if you have recovered extensively, you may even be able to return to your workplace.
You still won’t be able to indulge in any strenuous physical activity like exercising, as it will hamper your recovery. Smoking, weight lifting, drinking, and physically taxing exercises during this period will still be off-limits. You’ll be able to start on your scar minimising treatment.
You should be feeling more regular by this time. You should be able to resume light exercises during this period, while some may even be able to resume strenuous exercises. However, it is advised that you consult with Dr Doyle before attempting physically demanding exercises. Sit-ups should still be avoided and only attempted 12 weeks after your abdominoplasty surgery.
Almost all of the pain, tightness, and bruising will be minimal or should have resolved. Swelling may still be present to some extent and may last up to three months. You will still feel some numbness during this period, which will gradually decrease with time.
You’ll generally be able to see the result of the procedure after six months. Scarring will take anywhere from 12 – 18 months to completely fade.
Due to the effects of the anesthetics, you will feel a bit light-headed and sleepy. On top of this, pain, swelling, bruising, and tightening of the abdomen will make it difficult to perform any physical tasks. So, you will need someone to drive you home after the surgery and have someone to take care of you for the next 48 hours.
Preparing a recovery room before your operation will help you a lot in your recovery journey. It is recommended that you sleep on your back in a slightly bent position. A recliner is considered the best place to sleep in, but if you do not own one, you’ll be able to achieve this position with a few extra pillows.
You should consume a nutritious and healthy diet that will supply your body with plenty of energy to recover. You should keep yourself properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Alcohol should be avoided for the initial few weeks.
It is recommended that you have a low-sodium diet over the first week as it helps reduce swelling. In the case of constipation, you can have some probiotic or whole-fat yogurt to ease it.
Every surgical procedure is associated with potential risks and complications. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is considered major surgery, but is relatively low risk. You should thoroughly understand all the risks and complications before deciding to undergo the surgery.
Some risks and complications :
You should be in constant touch with Dr Doyle post-surgery and update him if you have concerns about your condition.
Smoking not only increases your risk for other complications but also hampers the recovery process, producing an inferior result. Nicotine present in the cigarette is known to cause blood vessels to constrict, causing damage to the blood vessels necessary for recovery. You should stop smoking six to eight weeks before and after the surgery.
You should take at least two weeks off from your work and get adequate rest. Your mobility will return gradually, and you should start with gentle movements during this period. You should not force yourself into strenuous activities. Highly taxing physical activities should be attempted only after the permission of Dr Doyle. You should wait at least two weeks before returning to everyday activities and up to four to six weeks before returning to strenuous activities.
The compression garment is essential for your recovery as it provides support, minimises swelling, and reduces the risk of seroma. It should be worn right after surgery for up to six to eight weeks.
The post-operative care instructions provided by Dr Doyle are meant to help make your recovery easier. You should strictly follow them.
It can help lift your pubic area. This has become an increasingly popular request and can result in both cosmetic and functional results.
How you sleep during the first few days and the first few weeks following an Abdominoplasty is important for both your recovery and the result of the surgery. It is recommended that you sleep on your back rather than on your side for the initial few weeks. Even it’s better to practice sleeping on your back prior to the surgery.
7 Tips for Faster Recovery
Swelling after surgery can be reduced by wearing a compression garment, staying mobile, maintaining a healthy diet, and the use of prescribed medications.
The first few days after the Abdominoplasty surgery are usually a little painful. This can be minimised by Dr Doyle inserting a small plastic tube connected to a pain pump that is placed under the skin. This automatically squirts local anaesthetic under the skin for the first 3 days after your procedure. It is responsible for improving your pain and discomfort significantly. You can use pain medications in case of intense pain. You may also feel a pulling sensation after the procedure, but this is quite normal and will gradually subside with time. However, swelling will last up to three months.
You can reduce scar tissue by following the steps given below:
The compression garment is essential for your recovery as it provides support, reduces swelling, and reduces the risk of seroma. It is recommended to wear it for six weeks. If you don’t wear the compression garment during this period, you run the risk of slower recovery, persistent swelling, seroma, and inferior results.
Yes, you can gain stomach fat. Fat cells are still present and can expand with weight gain. It’s recommended that you maintain your weight to avoid this. This is why we request that you maintain a stable weight for six months prior to your surgery.
You should follow the steps listed below :
If you would like to learn more about Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) recovery or the procedure itself, book a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle on the Gold Coast today.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.