How soon can you walk after a tummy tuck? You absolutely can walk up and downstairs immediately after surgery. Once again use common sense. If you need someone to help you on the stairs then do so.
On the other hand, full-tummy tuck patients require about four weeks, with six weeks of limiting any strenuous exercise or lifting.
Heavy exercise and heavy lifting are permitted after 6 weeks. You will be able to drive after one to two weeks depending, on how you feel. 5. Use caution with tasks such as climbing stairs when you are taking pain medications.
Recovering from Your Tummy Tuck
You will not be able to lift anything, vacuum, or do other basic activities for the first two to four weeks.
How long do you walk hunched over after a tummy tuck? You will need to walk hunched over or bent at the waist for about a week. This helps prevent additional pressure on your incision lines.
The first three to five days are the most difficult period of tummy tuck recovery. You will spend much of this time reclining – often even sleeping in a recliner. During this first week when the pain is most severe, Dr. Slack will prescribe a combination of narcotics and muscle relaxers.
Bed rest is recommended for the first 2 days after your tummy tuck procedure. On day 3, activity is encouraged but should be limited.
Housework should be avoided too. As a general rule if your abdomen is sore after doing something then consider reducing that activity. After 2 weeks you can gently start doing a little more so that you are doing normal day to day activity by 4 weeks.
The patient should avoid tight-fitting clothing during the healing period. Patients can resume their normal clothing styles after about six weeks once they achieve complete healing. Most people opt for tummy tuck surgery to achieve a slimmer, contoured tummy profile so they can wear every western style outfit.
Surgeons often recommend sleeping on your back while recovering from a tummy tuck, but you may be able to sleep on your side a few weeks after surgery.
After the second day, your only exercise should involve getting out of bed every two hours and walking with assistance for 10 to 15 minutes. By the end of the week, you should be able to engage in light activity or household chores and walk without assistance.
Recovery from a tummy tuck with muscle repair ranges from 3-6 weeks depending on your surgical plan. You will experience some bruising and swelling, and may need to wear a supportive compression garment while you heal. You will need to refrain from exercise and avoid straining, bending, and lifting heavy objects.
Most of the swelling will fade away two weeks after the surgery. At this point, you can start walking twice a day for fifteen to twenty minutes. Do not opt for any other exercises as your body is still in the initial phases of recovery. You can increase the duration of your walks after the four weeks marker.
Tummy tuck recovery is approximately three months long. While post-op swelling may last several weeks, a tummy tuck generally takes six weeks to heal and look normal.
When can I wear jeans after a tummy tuck? Most patients after tummy tuck surgery feel comfortable wearing jeans about 3-4 weeks after surgery. This gives time for the drains to be removed (if they were used), the incision to heal and some of the swelling to go down.
You can massage the scars in the shower, with soap and water, and then again with moisturizing cream after you have showered. We suggest scar massage many times throughout the day for 5-10 minutes each session. It is important to strictly follow your post-operative tummy tuck instructions.
You may shower 48 hours after surgery, but do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool. Soaking your wounds in water can expose them to bacteria and cause infection. You should not take baths for at least two weeks after surgery.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day.
You should avoid repetitive motions with the arm on the surgical side, such as vacuuming, for two weeks after surgery. Avoid heavy lifting for 4 weeks.
After a tummy tuck, you'll need extra sleep. We recommend sleeping as much as you can for the first week or two. When you are awake, focus on eating healthy meals, taking gentle walks, and getting lots of hydration. Elevating your torso is essential for comfortable and safe sleep.
That can vary from patient to patient. If you've had a relatively minor plastic surgery, you can resume drinking after a few weeks. For more involved cosmetic procedures like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), you may need to avoid alcohol for several weeks.
To heal quickly and keep swelling to a minimum, eat plenty of lean protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Lower your sodium intake and drink plenty of water to prevent your body from holding onto excess fluids.
Many will still experience swelling in the months following a tummy tuck. You may also feel a numbness, pulling sensation, or experience bruising in your abdomen area. The incision should be fully healed, but it's possible your remaining scar will still appear red and raised. This will eventually become flat and fade.