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. Leggings are a great option over your garment initially or flowing dresses or tops.
Tummy tuck is a surgery that involves having your stomach opened and stitched up, which wounds your lower abdomen and causes pain when stressed. Wearing tight jeans after a tummy tuck will inflict pain and cause inflammation of the operated area.
Whether you prefer pants or a dress, we strongly recommend investing in a soft bathrobe. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may need to wear a medical-grade compression garment or regular Spanx garment for up to six weeks or longer. This should be worn at all times except for when you bathe.
Compression Garment: To achieve the best possible results, patients should continue to wear a compression garment two weeks after surgery.
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.
How long do tummy tuck scars take to fade? The incision after a tummy tuck typically takes about 1 – 2 weeks to close and heal, during which time patients should practice appropriate wound care, keep the incision clean, and avoid submerging the incision.
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.
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.
The reason why you can't sleep on your side after a tummy tuck is that it creates too much tension in the surgical area and can be painful. Sleeping on your side after 3 or 5 weeks after the tummy tuck is even better. In addition to sleeping in the right position, it is also important to ensure a comfortable recovery.
In general, you need to keep a straight abdomen with slight bending while recovering after your tummy tuck. You should avoid bending over too much (e.g. to pick up your child) for the first 4-6 weeks after your abdominoplasty.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
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.
Patients should avoid jeans, leggings, tight-fitting clothing, yoga pants, and shirts that require them to lift their arms above their heads, especially t-shirts. When can I wear regular clothes again after a tummy tuck?
Where the real “weight loss” comes in is in the loss of inches. A tummy tuck can produce dramatic results by eliminating inches around the waistline. It isn't uncommon for patients to lose several inches, helping them to go down in clothing sizes and appear firmer and thinner.
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.
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.
On the other hand, full-tummy tuck patients require about four weeks, with six weeks of limiting any strenuous exercise or lifting.
The compression garment must be worn 24/7 even when you sleep, you will be only allowed to take it off when you shower. It is recommended to have two garments, so you can have one for change. . Invest in a good quality garment as this influences the outcome of the surgery.
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.
To prevent lower extremity blood clots, it is very important that you take slow 10-minute walks every two hours, except while you sleep, starting on the day after your surgery.
Swelling after a tummy tuck can last for a long time since the surgery is quite extensive. The most noticeable swelling will subside after 2-3 months, but mild swelling in the abdominal region may still be common. Over the course of 1-2 years, patients will notice all swelling diminish.
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.
With a full tuck, you will lose more weight than you would with a mini tuck because you probably have more excess skin and fat to be removed. Finally, the opportunity to lose the most weight after abdominoplasty is reserved for clients who choose an extended tuck.
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.