Dr. Sajjadian recommends you sleep in a reclined position for three to four weeks after surgery, depending on the level of correction performed. Traditional tummy tucks with incisions running the length of your pelvis may require up to four weeks of sleeping in a recliner to enhance healing during recovery.
The best sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery is on your back with your upper body elevated to create a slight bend or angle. Using pillows or sleeping in a recliner is ideal to achieve this position.
After a mini tummy tuck, you'll need to sleep in an elevated position for a least a week and possibly for two or three weeks. After a full tummy tuck, you should expect to sleep with your upper body raised for at least two weeks and up to four to six weeks.
After a tummy tuck, Dr. Clinton asks his patients to temporarily sleep in an elevated position. Elevating the upper body relaxes tension and takes strain off your incisions. When you're fully lying down, the skin and abdominal muscles stretch out and extend.
Not only will this position help keep the abdomen in a flexed position and avoid pressure on the implants, but it will also minimize swelling and fluid accumulation in the torso during the initial weeks of recovery. Most patients benefit by sleeping in a recliner for at least a week or two.
The best position to sleep after your tummy tuck is on your back. This position might be uncomfortable if you usually sleep on your side or stomach, but most patients get used to this position quickly. Sleeping on your stomach or side can strain your incisions and result in post-operative complications.
It is recommended that you avoid sleeping on your stomach or side for at least two weeks after this cosmetic procedure, as this can put too much pressure on the incision site and cause pain.
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.
The worst days after your tummy tuck will be the first one to three days. You may experience some discomfort, bloating, pressure, and swelling, but these symptoms are normal and will resolve themselves.
As part of the recovery process, patients will need to hunch or bend over at the waist when walking for about a week after a tummy tuck. This is a temporary precaution, although an understandable concern of prospective patients.
Whenever your skin is broken, as is the case with incisions made during your tummy tuck surgery, your body creates collagen fibres to fill it in and close it. This takes about three to four weeks.
When Can You Sleep on Your Stomach After Tummy Tuck? You should avoid sleeping on your stomach for as long as possible to encourage the best healing. However, usually, you can resume sleeping on your stomach if the tightness in your abdomen has dissipated, which usually takes place between 4-6 weeks.
Yes, You will need to wear a compression garment to bed for the first four weeks. For most procedures like tummy tucks, BBLs, lipo and body lifts, you will wear it full time for four weeks including when you sleep. You can take the garment off to go to sleep after 4 weeks.
When you rest, it's recommended that you sleep in a slightly bent position that avoids pulling on the stitches. Instead of sleeping flat on a bed, many surgeons and patients who have recovered from abdominoplasty recommend sleeping in a recliner for the first few weeks.
3 to 4 Weeks after Tummy Tuck
You should still avoid any particularly strenuous workouts, as well as exercises targeting the abdominal area, such as sits ups or weight lifting. Walking or stationary cycling can be a good place to start, with more vigorous exercise not recommended until the 6-week mark.
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 can begin to increase cardio and also target the abdominal region with specific activities such as knee tucks, leg raises, oblique training, and planks. Cardio exercise and proper diet is the best way to maintain your results from a tummy tuck.
Whilst the removal of this can result in some loss of body mass, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss solution. In fact, removing excess skin can make it easier for patients to shed pounds and contour their bodies post-surgery.
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.
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.
Driving & Returning to Work
In general, you should not drive until you've been off of your prescription pain medication for at least 24 hours and can safely operate a vehicle in traffic. You may be able to drive and return to a desk job as early as two weeks after a tummy tuck.
However, this jackknifed position is critical for the first week, even when attempting to sit or lie down. The knees should be lifted, the feet and the head should maintain an elevated position whether it's with pillows or with a recliner chair. This protects the incision and protects the abdominoplasty results.
Lying flat stretches out the abdomen while sleeping on your side allows you to bend your knees and avoid abdominal stretching. Most patients can lie flat again after roughly six weeks if their healing is going well.
Tummy Tuck or Mummy Makeover
We recommend maintaining a 'hunched at the hips' standing position for at least 2 weeks, with most patients returning to their regular straightened posture within 2-3 weeks.