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Your Ultimate Tummy Tuck Recovery Guide

Woman showing off her flat stomach after recovering from tummy tuck surgery.

Tummy tuck surgery at our Austin, Texas practice can create a slim, toned midsection, but it requires significant recovery time. Many patients are interested in learning how to speed up the recovery process and get back to daily life as soon as possible. Although recovery is a bit different for everyone, we have a few general tips and tricks for your tummy tuck journey.

Overall, patients should actively support their recovery by making smart, healthy lifestyle decisions. Here, I’ll discuss what you can expect from the tummy tuck process and offer a few suggestions for helping your body heal.

What is a tummy tuck? How is it performed?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure used to slim and sculpt the midsection. The doctor uses a hip-to-hip incision to reposition tissues and remove loose, saggy skin. A tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction to help suction away unwanted areas of fatty tissue. When pairing the two procedures, Austin patients can enjoy youthful body contouring results.

What is the expected timeline for tummy tuck recovery?

Tummy tuck recovery typically takes around 6 weeks in total. You can expect a few of the following major milestones during the process.

  • Week 1: You’ll likely experience some swelling, stiffness, and tightness immediately after surgery. Your range of motion will be limited, and you may prefer to sit slightly hunched over. During this time, it is best to rest in bed in a reclined position. After the first week is complete, your surgeon will probably remove your surgical drains, and you can shower without issue.
  • Week 2: Side effects, such as swelling, should begin to subside gradually. You can now enjoy light movement, such as walking, and you can safely drive yourself when needed. Many patients return to work at this point if they work a desk job. Those with more physical jobs may require an additional week to feel more comfortable.
  • Week 4: Your surgery results will slowly become more apparent as the swelling reduces. You can ease back into proper workouts and increase the length of social outings.
  • Week 6: You can remove their compression garments and return to physically demanding activities and exercises. Scars will flatten and fade as you enjoy your final tummy tuck results.

How can you prepare for surgery and help your recovery process?

  • Have a support system: Let your friends and family know you’re undergoing surgery. They can help you with childcare, chores, and any other issues that come up while you’re recovering.
  • Prepare your house before surgery: Clean up clutter and sanitize surfaces before heading into surgery. You can also stock up on pre-cooked meals and gather your entertainment items into one easy-to-access place.
  • Try gentle movement: While you may be uneasy during those first few weeks after surgery, remember that gentle activities (such as walking) can improve blood flow and help the healing process.
  • Give your body the fuel it needs: Drink plenty of water and eat nutritionally rich foods. Don’t feel guilty for needing “me time,” and be sure to get plenty of restorative sleep.

Tummy tuck recovery is a long process, but the results at the end are worth the wait. If you’re interested in tummy tuck surgery, be sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who can better guarantee safe, satisfying results.

Browse our tummy tuck before-and-after pictures to see examples of real patient results. If you would like to learn more, request a consultation online or call (512) 244-1439 (Austin) or (512) 244-1444 (Round Rock).

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