The medical name for the procedure commonly known as tummy tuck is abdominoplasty. It is a permanent solution to losing those nagging couple of inches of fat from your waistline. Though you may enjoy its benefits in the long run, it still remains a medical surgery and can be painful. It is important for you to know how to regarding after tummy tuck care.
The tummy tuck procedure is an extremely painful one and the period of recovery ranges from a few weeks to a few months. Some of the common side effects are fatigue, a level of muscle soreness and tenderness, a numb sensation in some areas around the abdomen, scarring as well as bruising. As part of after tummy tuck care, you will be on painkillers and you should be regular in taking these.
As a part of your after tummy tuck care routine, you will have to make some changes to your lifestyle. Beside this, you will also have to implement some dietary changes. For temporary relief from the nagging ache, you could apply ice packs to the sore muscles. Also when you go to bed, ensure that you have provided adequate cushioning to the sore areas in all directions that you tend to turn in.
When it comes to clothing ensure that you wear loose and comfortable clothing. Use material that breathes. Ask your doctor for lotions and balms that will reduce the external bruising as well as get rid of the scars to a large extent. The most important thing however, for after tummy tuck care is getting the most amount of rest. Refrain from exercises of any form for at least two months after the procedure.
Also before you have the procedure, sit with your doctor and understand all that is involved. Being aware will help you in the recovery process.
Have had tummy tuck..incision opened up and now have wound care in the home..what activities do I limit myself..healing very slowly
i had a tummy tuck 6 days ago i am finding it verry dificult to stand up without being bent over pain is under control but my body skin feels too tight , should i keep trying to stand and walk about or should i sit or lie down ?
hi had a tumy tuck 3 weeks ago i totally know how u feel about the not being able to walk upright if u still have drains in it will feel better once they r removed , at 3 weeks i still feel tight and itchy but i am very happy with my results already hang in there at 2 weeks i felt much better and everyday it gets better.
Any surgery may cause pain, saying nothing of tummy tuck. But you must sacrifice something if being beautiful is what you really aspire. Pain will gradually fade away, but beautiful abdomen remains!
Definitely need to get up and walk evey hour or two to keep circulation moving….you;ll be standing straighter by week 3 I’m into wek five…and I haven’t worn my binder or support every day, so I still have swelling…my fault!!!!! got back into routine, so by next wek when I see my Dr. again I should be much better good luck!!!!!
ok i see im doing a few things wrong here i have had coffee everyday one cup too much sodium
I am 7 days post op and I feel tight and the drains are awful. Feeling better I just wish I could stop draining already.
I still feel bloated after 13 weeks I almost feel like I did before I had my tummy tuck..I feel this fullness around the middle of my stomach! UGH! Does this go away?????
I am going to have my tummy tuck in a few days. How long before thr brusing and swelling go down? Can you drive? I have small children so very worried.
I had tummy tuck surgery 24 days ago and I love the results..! i am experiencing some numbness and lite pain, but i love the results! i have done it in Colombia the doctor did an excellent job. all my friends when they see me go: OMG!
Hi,
I’m currently at day four of my tummy tuck, and I am feeling much stronger, but the pain is still strong when I move around. I worry that I may tear a stitch or something. I still cannot stand straight and the drains are painful because of where the sutures are. My incision looks wonderful and already seemed to have closed up. I am still very swollen and really tight, which worry me, because suppose I can’t stand straight or suppose there’s not enough skin to stretch? Thanks
I had tummy tuck 9 days ago, i guess everyone is different, i tolerate pain with extra strenght tylenol, the first few days i was just in bed, then gradually i walk around the house, able to stand straight as day 3. drinking plenty of water, light meal, remember you have to poop out what ever you eat. stool softerner, vitamins and antibiotic dont miss a day. my drains will be remove in 5 days, how ever when i went to dr, he didnt put any steri strip on my wound, he left it out and cover it. oh well, will see on my next appt. everyday is better day. good luck ladies.
My surgery is Thursday April 28. I just wanted to know how your recovery is going.
Hello, its been 4 days post TT. The pain is crazy and the bruising intense. I cannot stand up past a sitting position because my skin is too tight. All my stretch are.gone though. I am having a lot of swelling and I have a love hate relationship with the girtle. I keep hearing two weeks is the magic number but I feel like I have a long way to go. I have using a walker and that has been my saving grace!
I had a mini tuck done April 20th. I now have some hard wrinkles/creases in the skin over the internal stiches to repair the diastasis. Is this normal? Will they lossen as the stiches heal and the swelling subsides?
I am going in for a consultation for tummy tuck due to two c sections and 2 abdominal surgeries. I keep reading about all the pain and being unable to stand up. When does this get better. I have two young girls and I am worried about being able to take care of them. Any input would be greatly appreicated.
im day 7 today and feeling really good!, still not standing completly straight but an improvement from day 5!. My husband has taken 2 weeks off work to care for the kids and me as i was in hospital for 4 days then had drains out and home but day 5 and 6 was really beside myself, thinking i was never gonna start feeling better couldn’t do a thing! but day 7 i just feel better in myself and made a cup of tea today! nothing much more than that but i know im getting better, dressing change tomorrow at hospital so hoping all is going ok.
Day 6 post tummy tuck the pain at first was not worth it but its sooo much better today. Been up and down stairs did a load of laundry , didnt carry any… washed my hair , put on make up… the one prob is my belly button is brown inside. It was re-attached. that scars me. I hope the skin didnt die. Anyone else have this problem?
Im 34yrs and have 4 children, I am on 1hr away before hitting 24hrs on my Tummy Tuck procedure as well as lipo of my upper abdomen,flanks and thighs and he did a revision of my scars from a breast reduction that I had done yrs ago. I have to say that hands down the tummy tuck is the most painful.He placed drains and I am to go back in one week to have them removed.I do get up seems like every hour to go and pee which that is uncomfortable sitting there and hardly peeing.I went downstais to sit on a recliner and that was painful.So now I am back on my bed but only am able to sleep sitting up propped up with lots of pillows.The pain is excrutiating please someone tell me when will the pain start to become less painful..V PS he put me on Lortabs and antibiotics but can I take anything else for pain??
Hi All from Australia …….I am 8 days post op, i have had no pain, no pain killers once out of recovery, and I spent 6 days in hospital only because I didn’t want to go home with a drain…..Im really tight through my tummy and its my body dictating how quickly i do things..still had a bit of fluid drained on Friday, probably over did it a little and have split my wound a little , but generally the results are fantastic and its with out the best thing i have ever done..Im wearing my binder garment no matter how much I hate it, have some bruising still in the pubic area and still some swelling….cheers jo
I had a tt 4 days ago and it is looking great. It was very painful the first 2 days but now is not so bad. I did not have any drains. The dr. did a great job with the cut and the scar is a very fine line. I hear a lot of people complain about the drains and I don’t understand why they use them when mine was done without them and a full success.
I’m going on 3 weeks and feeling great. I had my drainage tubes removed after two weeks. I’m sure everyone is different. I was still draining after the tubes were removed which I’m thinking was a good thing because my swelling has gone done considerably. I was able to walk straight near the end of my 2nd week, but I do get tired at the end of the day where I still had energy prior to the surgery, but everyday I have more and more energy. When I walk I feel tightness in my navel area but I’m sure this is very normal. I would highly recommend a Tummy Tuck to anyone who has stretch marks from pregnancies.
I had my TT on July 2. Although not straight I walked the second day of surgery w/o pain meds. & have been walking very little everyday around the house. I’m still not taking pain meds.but I do take my antibiotics & anti-inflamatories. My concern is that I still have the drains on & this week I collected about 40 cc daily. I love the results, but I can’t wait to be able to start doing my daily stretches to prevent my ciatica to come back. What can we do to help the swelling to go down? I’m coming out in a wedding in September : /
I am 11 days post op tt. I was pretty much pain free thanks to the “pain pump”. I was up and walking the next day although it wAs very bent over. Pain pump was removed on day 3 because it stopped working, drain tube removed on day 5. I took some pain killers but I am not a druggie so I switched to es tylenol and aleve. I am going back to doc tomorrow because I think the aleve made me bleed internally! I have severe bruising and “big bubbles” of swelling on my tummy that hurt like hell because it’s pulling on incision. I live 6 hours from doc so we are driving and every bump is a killer. Anyway, for those of u who r asking, I should’ve listened to my instincts and not have done it! I am very active and I can’t do anything but sit and my bottom hurts, lower back hurts from bending over and now this. I am pretty pain tolerant but the back thing is so annoying. so save ur money and time away from children and everyone else. Also my SM are still there !
To Tammy how have you been recoverying since the surgery. did everything go well. Im thinking of doing the surgery but ur scaring me now. I know I need to have the surgery done not that i really want it done.
I had surgery on july 22 and am recovering greatly. I had an abdominal wall reconstruction and umbilical hernia repair. I have two small children ( 2 yrs old and 6 mth) and that is the only thing of concern for me. No lifting for 4 weeks. I was up and walking the day after my surgery. Walking makes everything better. I can stand up straight but find after no activity or movement I cant for the first few minutes. I actually work in the OR so kinda knew what to expect. Though the pain may be horrible at first it is all worth it. Would I do it again? Probably not.
It’s been 7 weeks since my TT. I wore the compression garment 24/7 the first 3 weeks. I was feeling great, walking completely straight, doing almost everything I used to do, except for exercise. The 1st day I did 30 min. Of light stretching I went out for a ride & a Car hit my motorcycle & ruin my recovery. Putting the accident aside my TT is great & I’m happy I did it; although i have a tiny spot near the belly button that hurts as if the skin wanted to peel off. The lipo of the entire back has been a bit crazy. Most of my back feels like I’m wearing a rubber bodysuit. Some parts feel a burning sensation
when I stretch. I would like to give my body the luxury of recovering at its own pace but I’m still “bloated” & my clothes from before the TT don’t fit!!!! I haven’t gain weight ’cause I’ve watch my food / cal intake. This is crazy : /
Marti L What dr did you go to?
Hang in there. Time will heal. Wear cotton comfybut form fitting. I love the look.
Hi there, I am writing after reading several questions from women who have had tummy tucks. I am three months into mine and thought I’d share in an effort to help.
#1: Leave your drains in and be very careful not to pull the cord. Drains are key in getting you tight and can be removed after 7-11 days depending on quality and amount of fluid.
#2: Keep surgical tape (not the sticky kind) on your entire incision for 2 months. This will keep the scar tight and fine and eliminate it feathernig out. No one told me this until after I removed the tape for several weeks.
#3: Along with your garments and prior to the surgery buy a walker or a cane. This takes the tremendous strain off your back and was a lifesaver for me.
#4: When your drain is removed, if you still have bleeding, use a lightweight menstral pad and stick the sticky side to your girdle leavnig the pad against your skin. Another lifesaver as my incision bleed for two days.
#5: Your skin will stretch. Don’t worry about being too tight. I felt the same way and worried for nothing.
#6: Leave your girdle on as long as possible – 24 hours a day other than showering. This keeps you small and reducing a seroma pocket.
#7: If your drains have been removed and you are bulging in your abdomen to the point where it feels like there is fluid slushing inside, you may ask your dr. to check for a seroma pocket. (Look up details on line for more). They can remove the blood that’s collected with a syringe and I’m told it’s painless since you’re belly is still pretty numb.
Hope all these tips help. They are all things I wish someone would have told me.
OMG, I just found this site and now I am scared!!!!!!! I am having my TT in 5 days and now I am freaking out from all that I have read. My doctor has scheduled me for TT on Monday, on Wed. will have thigh lift and breast lift with reduction and then on Friday will have facelift, neck lift and eye bag removal. I think I might have gone overboard on all I wanted done, but I thought to have it all done at once and just be in pain once.
did I choose wrong?
I am getting my TT tomorrow,I report at 10 AM. Wish me luck.
Day 7 and i am feeling no pain, but drains still in for 2 or 3 more days, stomach tight as heck, swollen, still can’t stand straight and still sleeping in sitting position…all of which i expected. Day 5 & 6 was hard, but day 7 was a new beginning, so hang in there. i will share more when drains are out. just wanted to encourage someone.
Hi Everyone! It will be 3 weeks post op for me tomorrow. I was so terrified before my surgery- but honestly it wasn’t near as bad as I was expecting! I read all kinds of blogs and reviews before hand and it made me so fearful!!! I am not great with pain! The first night at home was the worst getting up to pee…I felt woozy for a few days but realized it was the tylenol 3- I weaned myself off to just extra srength tylenol and what a difference! My drains never bothered me a bit and with my tummy being numb I really can’t say the pain was all that bad!
I had a breast augmentation 2 years ago and that was way worse for pain.
I wear the binder always and my scar is already down to a faint , thin line in some spots. ITS NOT THAT BAD!!! GO FOR IT!!!
Well today is day 3 post op, and back hurts from bending over when walking and drain sites are tender,can’t wait til they are taken out.Procedure took 3 hrs ,had lipo done on hip flanks,so my butt is sore and bruised when I sit.I sleep in a reciner beacause getting in and out of bed was too painful.Had to go back to hospital yesterday cause I could not pee and my bladder was full so I got another catheter put in and instant relief. It gets taken out this afternoon,I hope I can pee on my own now.
3 weeks yesterday full tummy tuck and Lipo sides and back. I’m a strong woman but this kicked my butt! I thought recovery symptoms would resemble what I had experienced after my 2 c-sections…nuh uhhhh no way! I’m reading a lot about drains, my surgeon opts NOT to use drains. My stomach swells and is hard as a rock by the end if the day ugh so miserable! I just want to feel like my normal happy active workaholic self again. I’m a tired depressed blob
Today I made myself take a 2 mile walk because my PS prescribed exercise for my depression… By the way I have never been a depressed person. The good news is that I can now have empathy for people who are depressed. My figure looks pretty good although my “fat” clothes ( the ones I had to wear before surgery because I felt that I was fat) are way too tight to wear! I had to spend 500 unexpected dollars on even looser clothes so that I wouldn’t have to go to work in pajamas! Oh! One more thing my PS only prescribed a binder for one week after surgery. It was a one peace Lycra type think than covered my whole trunk area including smashing my innocent boobs! Where do you buy a binder at? What do they even look like? Maybe one of those will help me?
Tracy did you have a full TT? We are at about the same Post op time frame. I am not sure I would recommend this procedure so quickly. I do have a high pain tolerance threshold and I would not do it again. There are some cases where the surgery is absolutely worth the pain and recovery but I would say if your tummy is not horrendace leave well enough alone! My tummy was ugly due to 2 c-sections but, if I would have cracked down on diet and exercise I could have improved what was troubling me naturally.( it would not have been perfect but improved) This is 6 months to a year before you see optimal results not to mention 8,500 dollars. My God this was stupid! Or even consider getting to a your goal weight and just have a mini tummy tuck done to fix sagging skin in the lower abs. As time marches on and the memory of this pain fades I may feel different as some of my friends have suggested. I doubt it.
I’m glad I found this site. Cynthia thanks for all your tips I will be using many of them. I am having my tummy tuck done on november 3rd. I have done all the diet and exercise and I am down to a good weight for me but the extra belly skin i need to get removed. Something I want to do for myself. Wish me luck. I will let you know how it goes.
I’m 2 weeks, 2 days post op. I still get a little tired after doing light work around the house and sometimes weak – when the weak starts I get in bed or on the recliner. I still don’t have a big appetite. I weighed myself at 135 even on day of surgery and now down to 127.4 lbs OMG!
Just because this is an “elective surgery” doesn’t mean its not just as serious or more than most “medially necessary” surgeries. Don’t kid yourself that its not. Only you will know when its OK to stop taking your pain meds. Make sure there isn’t a lapse in a dose because it takes longer for the meds to “catch up” as my surgeon said. He suggested taking a benadryl with the pain meds to help with nausea. I think during that week I threw up twice and dry heaved one morning (horrible pain). I took them for 8 days and then switched to Motrin. My surgeon said 600 mg dose is a totally safe. Gross out warning – be prepared for constipation from the antibiotics and narcotics. I hadn’t gone for about 12 days so I took milk of magnesia – cherry flavor, surprisingly I thought it actually tasted good! I knew a stimulant laxative would cause cramping and there was NO way I was going to deal with that! It took two days and 3 doses but what a relief and NO strain on my muscles.
I wore my compression garment for 1 week and tossed it. I shower lightly with my back to the spray and put on neosporin and bandages. I bought 10 spandex tank tops with a built in shelf bra from NY&CO in two different sizes prior to the surgery ($10.00 per tank is the usual price all the time!). I started with the larger size and have moved down to the smaller yesterday as the swelling has gone down. They are SO comfortable and feel so much more supportive and better than the awkward garment did. I like that the tanks are longer (they go down over my undies and my hips). I live in them, its nice to have actual support. I found that hip-hugger style undies are more comfortable than bikini and go over the bandages easily. Then I pull down the spandex cami and I am ready for the day.
I’m concerned about the posts about regretting the surgery. I did my research before hand and I found that a lot of women experience depression following the surgery. If you are feeling that way you need to remind yourself that as each day goes by you are a day closer to being yourself and if those feelings don’t go away or gets worse you need to talk to your doctor.
Personally, I did this TT because I’ve been overweight since I was 10. I was abused as a child and its taken away from the quality of my life for the last 20 years. I’ve lost 95-100 lbs over the last 4 years and I DESERVE this ( down from 230 lbs). You have to decide what you want out of life and don’t let anyone else make the decision for you. I’m 30 and even though I’m tired and sore I know my life is really just starting now. I’ve never had a pretty body (no babies, not going to have any either) so this is literally a miracle for me. After finally reaching my goal weight (I maintained the weight loss for 20 months before scheduling the surgery) I decided it was time to make me feel beautiful, being thin with loose skin and disgusting large stretch marks I’ve had since I was 11 felt just as ugly to me as being overweight.
The nasty stretch marks and sagging skin that have haunted me are gone and I’m not looking back. Bring on the pain and swelling, 6-8 weeks, or more, and I can enjoy how I feel about myself for the next 50 years. Good luck to all!
Hi, after giving birth to twins (5lbs14oz and 6lbs4oz, NO NICU!) I want a tummy tuck so badly. I have the commonly called “twin skin” that no amount of exercise can get rid of. It isn’t as bad as some I’ve seen and I can even fit in my size 6 clothes, but I really would like to not have it any more. I weigh 134, which is less than what I weighed before I got pregnant (about 140). My concern isn’t the cost or the pain, my concern is who will care for my 9-month old twins while I am recovering! Perhaps when they are walking, it won’t be such an imposition.
Well hello ladies I’m reading alkaline your comments and know i know what to except but the truth is i really want to look in the best shape ever even when i really don’t need but i just hate when i want put on something and it doesn’t look nice because of the shape i got after i had my child so i want to be able to like myself and it doesn’t hurt to want the best like mother told me Anna pain is love so i Will let you know how it goes i wish all luck and hope you have what you wanted .
Hi ladies. This is for Sara. You are correct in worring about your twins. After TT you can not pick up anything over five pounds. You can not do anything for two weeks without risking messing your surgery. You are young and can wait. I had my TT at 55 and after 11 weeks post surgery, I still can not pick up my grandchildrenI.You may check out my updates on the what to expect after tt and dealing with swelling after tt.
Good luck to you.
Anna from november 3rd post. enjoyed your post and could identify with you. I am one week post tummy tuck. Had those awful draines removed yesterday. Swollen and will be for some time as I have read from previous posts. Very tired at the end of the day and need my pain medication then. Can’t wait to feel normal again and get back into the gym. All in good time. Good luck to all.
Hi I have read everybodies post and i have taken in some good points that everyone has given. I’m having mt TT on Dec 9 and i am very excited. I thank all of you for being straight forward. I am looking forward to looking and feeling a lil more sexier than i am. I pray that God blesses me as i go through with this tt. I will keep everbody posted how it goes. Thanks ladies.
Hello Everyone, I am so glad I found this site. I have been reading about everyones experience with a TT. I have mine done this thursday along with a breast lift. I am very exited to have this done. I have twins that are now 17! I have tried to get my abs back but no luck. My main concern is the swelling.
Did anyone have to go up a size in pants right after their TT because of the swelling? any last min advise? Thanks
Tomorrow is the day!! Tonight I am excited and very nervous!
I get my tummy tuck in 4 days. So excited. I know it will be painful, but I feel it is well worth it. Its like giviing birth it hurts but just for a while and the outcome is well worth it. Wish me luck all.
Day 3 and so far I have been feeling pretty good and getting around slowly. Has or did anyone stop using the pain meds after the 3rd day?
Christie I stopped after a few days but are now back on them. I am 16 days post tummy tuck. Had my drains removed after a week and was told that I would leak from where the drains were and possibly from my incision. Well that did happen and I am back on a antibiotics and started my pain pills again. I have bandages on my incision I think maybe I am wearing my binder a little to tight. I do back to the doctor next Wednesday for a check up. I am wondering if anyone else had issues with their incision? I am still very glad that I did it but want to get back to my old ways at the gym. I also had a breast reduction a couple of years ago and I love it. Take care..
Im on day 8 of my TT and breast agumentation I went for the Mommy Makeover. I woke up and felt like I had giving birth to six kids at one time!!! They kept pumping me with morphine but it wasent working
30 min later they tried Dilladed & I found relief they usually try to have pain medication in you as you wake up so you don’t hurt. I said it was a waste of $ a mistake & I wanted to die. STAY ON TOP OF THOSE PAIN MEDS & ANTI NUSEA …THE SECOND ONES JUST TO BE SAFE! EVEN IF IT’S EVER HOUR IN A HALF!!!! THE FIRST NIGHT IS THE HARDEST STAY ON THOSE MEDS!!!! The second day you will still hurt and cry a little. The third day you know your going to make it. I was scared! I even watched the Vedio on u tube the whole thing!!!! Bad idea to do both at the same time but my boobs never even hurt it was just harder to do stuff. It’s going to hurt but it gets better the drains are nothing. No big deal at all. I got mine pulled out today & stitches removed. The drains being pulled just feels weird & I’ve heard that a lot. ( hold your breath 1,2,3 now exhale & the drains are out) that’s it. You need at least two people the first three days 24/7 no joke. Lots & lots of pillows. An alarm for your medications. Take stool softeners 4 days BEFORE your surgery!!!! TRUST ME! I did an enema the day before doctor was impressed & said good job. Clean with the antibacterial soap. Get tons of hand sanatizer. Gauz.tape. Rubbing alcholhol. Clorox disinfectant wipes & spray. YOU DON’T WANT TO GET SICK. Keep you room relaxing with candles & new sheets. Close bed side stand. Is a must. I’m GREATFUL I had the procedure. Medford, Oregon. My boobs were a nice b small c I just wanted them evened out & full & that’s what I got. Didn’t really hurt more like a weight on your chest. TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS HAVE HELP EAT SMALL NO REASON TO STUFF A SORE TUMMY TAKE STOOL SOFTNERS! most of my strech marks are gone my tummy is flat!!! Some bruising from the side lipo. I’m 5″8 153 pounds. Lipo is so u don’t get muffin top good luck it’s worth it & it takes time to stand up straight each person is diffrent just be patient 