
However, more strenuous moves such as sit-ups and weight lifting should be avoided until six weeks after surgery.Ĭompression Garment: Dr. However, it is important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to stay at your ideal weight range.Įxercise: Patients can usually engage in light exercise four weeks after surgery.
Start taking brief walks a few times throughout the day to get your blood flowingĭiet: Many patients return to their normal diet by the third and fourth week after surgery. These include: exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Off Limits: A number of activities remain off limits the second week after tummy tuck surgery. Patients that undergo tummy tuck in combination with another treatment, such as liposuction, butt lift, breast augmentation, arm lift, or thigh lift, may need an extra few days to recover. Work: Patients may feel ready to return to work and other obligations 10 to 14 days after surgery. Scar minimizing techniques may include the application of vitamin E or silicone sheets to the incision.Ĭompression Garment: To achieve the best possible results, patients should continue to wear a compression garment two weeks after surgery. Scar treatments: Patients can usually begin treatment to minimize scarring the second week after surgery.
Massage: The second week after surgery, patients can begin to lightly massage to treatment area to promote healing. However, the pain, bruising, and feeling of tightness are beginning to fade. Side Effects: At this point, there is still swelling in the treatment area. Have 24-hour care and assistance for the first three days after surgeryĭiet: Patients will be ready to go back to their regular diet the second week after surgery, but it is a good idea to continue to limit sodium this week.
Use an ice compress to minimize pain and swelling. These include: driving, exercise, work, chores, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Off Limits: A number of activities are off limits the first week after tummy tuck surgery. Patients with drains may find it easier to sponge bathe for a few days after surgery. However, if you are feeling lightheaded, it is a good idea to wait. Showering: In many cases, patients can take a shower a day or two after surgery. The compression garment will aid in healing and help patients achieve their desired contour. In most cases, the drain can be removed in three to seven days.īandages: Tummy tuck bandages may be replaced, and the area around the incision gently cleaned, every other day after surgery.Ĭompression Garment: Patients should wear a compression garment at all times in the week after surgery. Side Effects: Patients experience some pain, bruising, swelling, and tightness the first week after surgery.ĭrains: Most patients will require the use of a drain for the first few days after surgery the drain directs excess fluid away from the incision and out of the body.
Week 1 after Surgeryĭiet: Patients should maintain a diet that is low in sodium for the first week after surgery to reduce swelling. Atlanta plastic surgeon Marcus Crawford offers a breakdown of what our patients can expect during the tummy tuck recovery period.