What You Should Know Before and After Tummy Tuck Surgery ?

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that makes the abdomen flatter by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the muscles. The best male and female candidates for a tummy tuck surgery are non-smokers who are in good general health and at a stable weight. You can choose the tummy tuck surgery alone, or for example, if you intend to undergo a post-pregnancy regeneration process, you can also consider the mommy makeover option, which consists of several procedures such as breast lift and liposuction in addition to the tummy tuck. Thus, instead of calculating the costs of these surgeries separately, you can get more satisfying results with a single package procedure at a lower cost and become more careful about finance.

Especially in Turkey, there are many successful clinics that offer highly advantageous mommy makeover costs including tummy tuck and are chosen by lots of “new moms” from many countries in the world.

READ: How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

Tummy tuck surgery has a lot to do, so what cannot? For example, a tummy tuck allows you to lose weight by taking a pinch of fat and skin, but it is not exactly a weight loss surgery. Likewise, a tummy tuck cannot make great promises about your stretch marks. They can generally be very difficult to remove, especially through a tummy tuck. Only those located on the removed skin which is usually below the belly button can be removed through a tummy tuck surgery.

Since before deciding to undergo a tummy tuck surgery, knowing and plan accordingly the whole period including preparation and recovery is of paramount importance, we have prepared a guide to see the big picture of the entire process.

Preparation to Tummy Tuck – Make Sure You Have Enough Support

You’ll need to have someone who can drive you home and also take care of you for at least the first few days after your surgery. You can take a shower 48 hours after you remove your drainage tubes. You’ll also be prescribed an antibiotic and possibly an anticoagulant to reduce the risks of infections and also the ability of the blood to clot. Your doctor also gives you some type of medication to apply to the skin to fasten the healing. 

A couple of changes in your home can help you after your tummy tuck surgery. You may not reach high cabinets in your home for a while. Therefore, make sure to adapt your space in order to make things easily accessible. You can purchase some ice packs and fluffy pillows which can help you feel comfortable in the post-op recovery period.

Tummy Tuck Recovery – First Week

In the first few days following surgery, pain, swelling and bruising are likely to happen. These symptoms may sometimes become severe to require painkillers or other prescription medications.

During the first week of the tummy tuck, you will be in bed most of the time, and you probably won’t be able to move much. Walking is not recommended except for particular reasons such as visits to the bathroom. Excessive movement may lead to some complications in your body such as blood collection (hematoma) or fluid collections (seroma).

If you want to have tummy tuck surgery abroad, you may spend 1 to 2 weeks in that country. It is not recommended to travel for at least 10 days. Abdominoplasty clinics will offer you packages including all the necessary services.

READ: How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost? – World Prices

Healthy Diet and Bed Resting

You should drink plenty of water to flush your body of toxins and reduce swelling after the surgery. Keeping your diet as healthy as possible is another key recommendation for the recovery period. Adding the fresh fruits and vegetables to your regular diet contribute the faster healing. Losing weight is not recommended during your recovery time. Also, if you are a smoker, you should avoid smoking.

Post-Recovery Period of Tummy Tuck

You will need to wear a compression garment during the recovery period. Recovery duration can vary from two weeks to two months. During this time, you should avoid strenuous activity and avoid lifting any heavy objects. With their doctor’s permission, you may return to work 1 week or two weeks after the surgery. After eight weeks, you can go back to normal daily activities including lifting.

You may experience swelling and numbness for months after the surgery. It’s normal to have bruises in your abdominal area. You may have fluid-filled swelling above the scar, but this will disappear gradually. Likewise, your scar may be red and raised, but it will fade in time, as well. Keep in mind that, tummy tuck scars won’t be fading in a short period. But it starts to get better in a couple of months. Try to protect your scar from sunlight; otherwise, your wound may get darker.

Eventually, you will see the shape of your new body. However, the tummy tuck procedure is a serious procedure, and you may not recover completely in this stated time. You may not be able to go to the gym or perform hard-core exercises for a long period. Although the recovery period is usually shorter for a mini tummy tuck procedure; you’ll still need to avoid tiring and vigorous activity and exercises and heavy lifting for at least six weeks after the surgery.

Patients Have Different Recovery Periods

However, tummy tuck recovery time can change depending on each individual. The length of the recovery period will depend on several factors, including your age, health, and body weight. It also depends on the type of tummy tuck you have. Therefore, recovery from tummy tuck surgery is different for everyone. Your doctor will provide you with vital post-op information. You only need to follow the instructions during the recovery period.

READ: Tummy Tuck Surgery – Top 5 Things You Should Know

This content is edited by Flymedi Medical Editors in 2023.