Tummy tuck surgery, medically known as abdominoplasty, is an effective way to reduce excess skin and fat around the abdomen and improve your tummy's overall appearance, helping it look flatter and more toned.
Before undergoing tummy tuck surgery, it is important you know what to expect after you have had the procedure. So, we have created a guide to explain what happens after surgery, how long recovery will last and how quickly you can return to your regular day-to-day activities.
After you have undergone tummy tuck surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for one to four nights so that your healthcare team can monitor you and check you are recovering well.
You will feel quite sore and tight across your tummy, so you will be prescribed pain medication to help you feel more comfortable.
Your tummy will be swollen initially, but the swelling will reduce over the following weeks.
A compression garment will be fitted around your tummy, which you will need to wear for at least six weeks to help reduce swelling and bruising and help your stomach tissue heal and keep its correct shape.
You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital, and you may benefit from having someone to help you around the house with day-to-day activities for the first couple of weeks while your movement is restricted.
You must take plenty of time to rest following your abdominoplasty surgery to allow your body to heal and recover.
What can you not do after a tummy tuck?
As a tummy tuck involves making an incision from one hip to the other, you must avoid certain movements and activities to reduce the risk of damaging your stitches.
For the first few days following surgery, you will not be able to stand fully straight as this will pull on your stitches, so you will need to keep a slight bend at the hips.
Lying flat with your legs extended out in front is to be avoided in the first few weeks to prevent tearing your stitches, so it is recommended to either sleep in a recliner chair or to place pillows under your knees to keep them bent.
You will need to take time off work for the first two to four weeks following surgery so you can rest and recover; you will also not be able to undertake any strenuous exercise, raise your arms, or lift weights for at least six to twelve weeks.
While taking pain medication, it is also recommended you avoid alcohol.
How long does the pain last after a tummy tuck?
You will feel sore for the first few days following surgery, so you will be prescribed pain medication to help you feel more comfortable. However, the discomfort should begin to subside within the first couple of weeks.
How long does it take to fully recover from a tummy tuck?
The type of tummy tuck you have had and how quickly your body heals will impact how long tummy tuck recovery lasts. However, most people will be fully recovered within four to eight weeks.
How long after a tummy tuck can I drive?
Simple movements such as twisting to check your blind spot, turning the steering wheel, or opening and closing a car door can all compromise your wound healing and cause discomfort, which is why it is recommended you avoid driving for the first few weeks after surgery.
Your healthcare team will advise you when it is safe for you to resume driving, however, most people are usually able to start driving again within two to four weeks.
How long after a tummy tuck can I take a bath?
As with all surgical procedures, you should not submerge your wound in water until it has fully healed. Instead, doctors usually recommend that patients have a sponge bath for the first few days after surgery and lukewarm showers for the first few weeks.
When can you lay flat after a tummy tuck?
Laying flat on your back following a tummy tuck could pull on your stitches and cause damage to your wound. Therefore, it is recommended that you lay with a pillow under your knees in the first few weeks to keep them bent or in a recliner chair.
It can take up to two to four weeks until you can safely lay flat, however, your doctor will advise you on this.
How long after a tummy tuck can I exercise?
After a tummy tuck, it is recommended you rest for the first couple of weeks to allow your body time to recover, as not taking the time to rest can actually result in a prolonged recovery.
In the first few weeks, slow-paced walking can help boost your circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. However, strenuous abdominal exercises, including lifting weights, should be avoided until at least six weeks. After that, your doctor will discuss a safe exercise plan with you.
How much should I walk after a tummy tuck?
There are no standard guidelines for how much you should walk after a tummy tuck. However, your doctor may advise you to undertake short periods of gentle walking around your home for the first few days following surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots. After two to four weeks, you will be able to slowly increase the duration of these walks, however, your doctor will advise you on this.
If you want to learn more about what happens during abdominoplasty surgery or how long the effects will last, take a look at our Q&A session with surgeon Dr Nadir Ali. Or, head to our tummy tuck page for more information on undergoing abdominoplasty surgery with Ramsay Health Care.