Clients who undergo a full abdominoplasty will likely have moderate to severe pain for the first 2 to 3 days after their surgery. You will probably be quite sore for at least a week. Your surgeon may give you a prescription pain medication. Take it according to the schedule supplied by your surgeon.
Abdominoplasty clients are usually encouraged to get out of bed and start walking within a day of their surgery. Walking helps reduce the possibility of blood clots and thromboemboli, which could be life-threatening.
You may be unable to straighten up completely for a few days after surgery. Some people experience back pain or muscle spasms because of this. Your surgeon can prescribe some muscle relaxers if this becomes a problem for you during tummy tuck recovery.
Your surgeon may place drains in your incision. These are plastic tubes that extend out of the body to small collection devices. They drain the wound and help prevent a back up of fluids that can compromise healing. Usually, they are in place for several days after tummy tuck surgery.
You may need to wear an abdominal support similar to a girdle or a wide support band around your abdomen for several weeks after a full abdominoplasty. How long before you can return to work depends on the extent of your surgery and on how active you are on your job. Usually, exercises such as sit-ups are discouraged for at least 6 weeks after the procedure. Your surgeon will tell you when you can return to your normal activities.
