Recovering After A Tummy Tuck And Abdominoplasty

In addition to bandages and abdominal binders, you may also be fitted with an abdominal drain. This is to allow excess fluid to be removed from your body during the healing process and is not commonly used. If they are used for your situation, you will be given specific instructions on how to clean the area, empty the drain, and record the volume of fluid removed.

Lastly, you should try to relax as much as you can for the first week to 10 days, with no vigorous activity or housework for at least four to six weeks. When lying down it helps to have a pillow both below your knees and below your head to help relieve discomfort. You should also be bathing by sponge bath only for at least the first week. That being said, you will not be bedridden. You should try to walk at least a few minutes every hour to keep your circulation flowing. You'll most likely be walking with a hunched posture for a little while, at least until your sutures are removed.

Throughout your recovery you should be avoiding alcohol, nicotine, and stick to a low sodium diet.

Second week of recovery

By the second week of recovery you should notice pain beginning to subside and any bruising should begin to fade. Any swelling should also have begin to go down, but it will almost certainly still be present. You should still be following your instructions concerning pain and antibiotic medication, as well as sticking to only light activity. Following these instructions will have a positive effect on swelling and pain.

It is usually at this point that stitches are removed, though depending on the details of your surgery and the speed of your recovery, this may not apply to you. You should continue changing your bandages and cleaning the incision area on a regular schedule, as instructed. Your compression garments should continue to be worn throughout the duration of your recovery.

During your second week of recovery you will be encouraged to begin taking light walks to keep your blood circulating well and prevent blood clots from forming. Some patients may even feel well enough to return to work after only 10 to 14 days, but any kind of strenuous activity should still be avoided.