Skip to content
BPS 03
(704) 413-3566
fb yt tw ig
request consultation pre/post instructions for aesthetics
  • Home
  • Cosmetic Surgery
    • Breast
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Lift
      • Breast Reduction
    • Body
      • Tummy Tuck
      • Liposuction
      • Mommy Makeover
      • Arm Lift
      • Thigh Lift
    • Face
      • Face and Neck Lift
      • Eyelid Surgery
      • Brow Lift
      • Rhinoplasty
      • Facial Implants
      • Otoplasty
      • Lip Enhancement
    • Nonsurgical
      • BOTOX Cosmetic
      • Dysport
      • Juvéderm
      • Juvéderm Voluma XC
      • Restylane LYFT
      • RADIESSE
      • Restylane
      • Kybella
    • Surgery For Men
  • Before & After
    • Breast
    • Body
    • Face
  • Skincare Menu
  • Specials
  • About Us
    • Thomas G. Liszka, MD
    • Meet Our Team
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
Download PDF
View PDF

Recovering from a Tummy Tuck

The tummy tuck procedure, also referred to as abdominoplasty, takes anywhere from one and a half to three hours to perform. Most patients are permitted to return home the same day. Others may be required to spend a night under medical observation if they undergo circumferential tummy tucks or have multiple procedures performed. Once a patient returns home, there is a recovery process that follows.

The First Week

As soon as a patient returns home, the prescription calls for rest and relaxation. Patients should rest in bed or a recliner with their feet elevated and keep their knees bent slightly. There should be no tension in the abdominal area as the wound needs time to heal. It is important to ambulate early to prevent blood clots. Activity should be limited but include walking to the bathroom or around the home.

young woman 2239269 1920 sized

To help reduce the swelling, it is recommended that patients wear a compression garment. This should be worn 24 hours a day throughout the first week. Your doctor will tell you when it is appropriate to shower which is usually in the first three to five days. An alternative would be to take a sort of sponge bath with the help of someone else. The office will schedule an appointment to see your doctor towards the end of your first week of recovery.

The Second Week

You will start feeling a little more like yourself this second week. It’s important for the patient to continue to walk a few times a day during this second week. The walks do not need to be laborious. It is also time to start to stand up completely straight. Keeping flexion at the waist for the first week sometimes causes back pain. This will improve as you slowly straighten up.

The Third Week

This marks the time for increased activity. Some patients start to do light exercise. Your doctor will advise you on what you can do and how frequently you can do it. A lot of patients can return to work, but some need additional time for recovery. Don’t push yourself too much and listen to your body and your doctor’s recommendations.

You won’t have to wear your compression garment all the time. Wearing it half the day will now be sufficient as many patients will remove it before going to sleep.

The Fourth Week

Most everyone starts to feel “back to normal” by the fourth through sixth weeks after surgery. Your doctor will advise you on activity including what exercises are appropriate and what you should avoid. All the swelling is usually gone by the eighth week. Your doctor will also discuss scar management to minimize your postoperative scarring.

If you are looking for the best tummy tuck Charlotte has to offer, contact the experienced team of professionals at Ballantyne Plastic Surgery.

Post navigation

Previous: Things to Know Before Undergoing Rhinoplasty
Next: 7 Myths About Cosmetic Surgery
Ballantyne Plastic Surgery
Tweets by bpsurgeryclt

Recent Posts

  • How & Why Breast Massage Helps After Breast Augmentation
  • The Breast Augmentation Recovery Process
  • The Basics of Undergoing a Thigh Lift for Women
  • Tips for Mommy Makeover Recovery
  • What to expect with BOTOX
  • How to Determine If You Need a Breast Lift
  • A Microneedling Product Makes Waves in the Cosmetic Surgery World
  • Battling the Dreaded Double Chin
  • The Face Lift Recovery Checklist
  • Male Breast Reduction Becoming a More Common Procedure

Archive

Site Map

  • Home
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Skincare Menu
  • Specials
  • About Us
  • Testimonials
  • Patient Information
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
2020-10-BEST-PLS

Location

Directions

Contact Us

Ballantyne Plastic Surgery

14135 Ballantyne Corporate Place
Suite 150
Charlotte, NC 28277

Phone: (704) 413-3566
Fax: 704-295-0774

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday 9AM-5PM

Google Button

Plastic Surgery Website Design, Cosmetic Surgery SEO and Medical Internet Marketing by Leads Online Marketing LLC.

Follow Us

fb yt tw ig