Your Recovery Roadmap After Tummy Tuck
All you need to know about after a tummy tuck.
Following your Tummy Tuck procedure, you can expect some initial recovery time and certain steps to promote healing and achieve optimal results, and here’s a breakdown of what comes after surgery and what you should do.
Immediately After your Tummy Tuck Surgery
After surgery, expect your abdomen to be tender and swollen for the first week.
You may need to wear a compression garment during this time to aid in healing.
Your stomach area will likely feel numb for several weeks to months, with sensation gradually returning.
Fatigue is common during the initial healing period, and it may take 5 to 6 weeks to regain your usual energy levels.
Initially, you may find it difficult to stand fully upright, but this will improve over time, but It’s important to walk daily to promote normal movement.
Between walks, move your feet and legs regularly.
It’s common to experience irregular bowel movements immediately after surgery. To prevent constipation and avoid straining, consider taking a daily fibre supplement.
To reduce pain, hold a pillow over your incision when coughing or taking deep breaths. This provides support to your abdomen
A tummy tuck results in a long scar that will fade over time, and You may also have a small scar around your belly button.
Your After Tummy Tuck surgery checklist
- Diet and nutrition
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential to support your body’s healing process. - Activity restrictions
Avoid intense activities such as cycling, jogging or strenuous exercise to give your incision site time to heal. - Doctor’s advice
Always listen to your doctor’s instructions, they will tell you when it is safe to resume your usual physical activities. - Many patients are prescribed antibiotics and anticoagulants to take for a specified duration, while some are provided with topical creams to apply around the incision site
- Listen to your body
Even if some people feel well enough to return to work early, don’t insist. Rest is essential!
After your Tummy Tuck surgery restrictions
- Fast food, unhealthy food and large portions of food
- Smoke for four weeks after surgery, and try to quit if possible
- Engage in any form of heavy exercise like running or heavy lifting
- Panic and search for solutions on Google or other search engines
- Miss your appointments or ignore them
- Engage in any sexual intercourse or arousing activities
- Expose your scars to the sunlight or try to tan for six months
- Sleep on your tummy for the first three weeks after surgery
- Take baths in the bathtub, jacuzzi or go swimming for 5 weeks
5 Top Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips
- Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Adhere to all post-operative care guidelines provided by your surgeon, including medication schedules, activity restrictions, and wound care. This is crucial for a smooth recovery.
- Take It Easy
Allow your body ample time to heal. Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for at least the first few weeks to prevent complications and support proper healing.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Maintain a balanced diet and drink plenty of water to promote healing. Focus on nutritious foods that aid recovery, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Use Compression Garments
Wear the recommended compression garment as instructed. This helps reduce swelling, provides support, and promotes a smoother recovery.
- Attend Follow-Up Appointments
Schedule and attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These appointments are essential for monitoring your recovery progress and addressing any concerns you may have.
Post-Tummy Tuck Shower Protocol
Following your Tummy Tuck surgery, proper wound care while showering is crucial to promote healing and minimise complications. Here are some
- key guidelines:
Water Temperature: Utilise lukewarm water only. Hot water can aggravate swelling and discomfort in the treated areas.
Gentle Cleansing: Avoid harsh scrubbing or rubbing. Instead, employ mild, fragrance-free cleansers and gently cleanse the treated areas using your hands.
When drying, pat the treated areas thoroughly with a soft towel instead of rubbing. This minimises any potential irritation.
Abstain from soaking in baths or swimming pools for at least two weeks after surgery. Submerged environments can increase the risk of infection.
Unveiling Your Sculpted Silhouette after your Tummy Tuck
The wait is nearly over! Between 1 and 3 months after your body sculpting procedure, you’ll start to see the amazing results take shape.
Healing Takes Time:
Post-operative swelling may persist for several weeks, but typically, it takes about six weeks for a tummy tuck to fully heal and achieve a normal appearance.
However, individual healing times can vary due to various factors, influencing when final results become apparent.
While many feel ready by this point, some might need extra time for complete healing.
Your after Tummy Tuck surgery consultations at Auralia
All patients receive three post-op consultations, but if you feel you require more support, we can facilitate you without any extra cost.
In Conclusion: The Importance of Knowing Your Recovery Roadmap After a Tummy Tuck
In conclusion, understanding your recovery roadmap after a tummy tuck is essential for a successful healing process.
Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you prepare for the journey ahead, from managing initial discomfort to gradually increasing activity levels.
Being informed about the recovery process empowers you to take control of your healing and achieve the best results from your surgery.
Tummy Tuck after care FAQ
Following your visit to Auralia, you will be given pre- and post-operative instruction to guide you on how to be well prepared for your Tummy Tuck and what to do afterwards. This will also contain the clinic's contact details.
You will also be given your Auralia surgeon’s emergency mobile number for calls after hours. During work hours, you should contact the hospital.
If you suspect anything is wrong outside of business hours, you are welcome to call the emergency number of your surgeon and speak with them directly, day or night.
Alternatively, you can drop straight into the clinic during working hours.
Absolutely not! You are entitled to as many appointments as you feel you need with your surgeon, following your Tummy Tuck.
Absolutely! From the time you have your Tummy Tuck with your Auralia surgeon, you are entitled to see them for appointments for as long as necessary.
If the surgeon no longer works for Auralia, you would still be entitled to see one of our surgeons for free.
- Have more questions or concerns?
Tummy Tuck Surgery With Auralia
If you want to get rid of abdominal excess skin and fat and are thinking about a tummy tuck? Get in touch with our expert team to get more insights and guidance to make your journey a success.
Your Tummy Tuck Journey With Auralia
Step 1.
Free, No Obligation Consultation Booking
To start your surgery process, firstly book your consultation by calling us on (01) 612 0551 or filling a consultation form here.
Step 2.
Meet Your Surgeon
Once you have booked your consultation, you will meet with your surgeon to discuss your tummy tuck procedure goals, your health status, concerns and the procedure details.
Step 3.
Book Your Surgery
After your comprehensive consultation, your patient care co-ordinator will work with you to book a convenient date for your surgery.
Step 4.
Pre Op Assessment
Prior to your surgery date, you will have your pre-op assessment where we will go through your medical history with you, and instruct you how to prepare for your surgery day to avoid any risks.
Step 5.
Surgery Day
On your surgery day, you’ll have a dedicated medical team to take care of you. The surgery duration is 2 to 5 hours depending on the complexity of the case, and you will leave the clinic on the same day or the next day.
Step 6.
After Care
You will enjoy unlimited aftercare appointments and surgeon reviews as much as you need to ensure your safety and satisfaction with the results.
Furthermore, you will also have your surgeon’s emergency number so you get access to him any time 24/7.
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