Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

Tummy tuck recovery timeline is the most important part of planning your surgery. abdominoplasty patients must know every detail of their recovery process because recovery is the time that your body is going to do a lot of healing after the surgery.

If you are considering whether to have an abdominoplasty with our medical team or not, you should know every single necessary aspect of the recovery period. During recovery, our highly experienced surgeon will carefully check on your condition both while you are hospitalized in Iran, and also when you go back to your home country. We will notify you of the recovery timeline and the latest information through CRM system, on a regular basis (same as for tummy tuck day by day trip plan). This following up will continue 2 years after your surgery and you can cancel this service whenever you want. Your recuperation will depend on different factors. These factors include: age, weight, tummy tuck type and etc. In this article, tummy tuck timeline, do’s and don’ts are listed, including: medications, exercises, food and diet, sleep, working and etc.

1-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline Day 1, right after the surgery

After performance of the surgery by the hands of your chosen surgeon, our specialists bandage your abdomen and give you a compression garment to wear right after the surgery. Our agents will provide whatever you need such as medications and hospital pack, prior to the surgery. Usually, a tummy tuck surgery does not need hospitalization but if your surgeon deems it necessary, you will stay at the hospital overnight.

Compression Garment

during the post op phase of any cosmetic surgery, including tummy tuck, surgeons prescribe to wear a compression garment or a binder. The compression garment will tighten your belly to maintain the shape and contours, and also in order to reduce swelling, soreness and pain. You should wear a compression garment 24 hours a day till the six week to speed the recovery period.

Small Drains

Tummy tuck drains are thin clear tubes that reduce swelling, and empty the fluid behind the incision and the injured area. The surgeon will attach the small drains to your belly only if it is necessary. These tubes remain about 7 days after surgery, and should be cleaned several times a day. Your surgeon will clearly instruct you how to clean the tubes and empty the pouch several times a day. These drains may cause mild discomfort which is completely normal.

2-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline, Week 1

The first week is the most uncomfortable week of a tummy tuck surgery. In the first 7 days, you will experience swelling, blood clots, soreness, and infections more than any time in the whole recovery process, which is completely normal, and a part of the healing process. You will stay in Iran during the first days of recovery, and will be carefully and regularly checked by our surgeons.

• Bruising, Redness and Swelling

These are the most common side effects of any surgery, especially tummy tuck. These side effects may be really disturbing in the first week, but will reduce a few days later. Bruising, redness, swelling, and soreness are normal side effects of the operation. After the surgery, healing compounds are accumulated under the incision to speed the recovery period. In order to lessen the swelling and soreness, your surgeon will prescribe a compression garment to control fluid build-up, and must wear it all day until week 4.

• Discomfort

Mild pain is normal at the first days of the recovery, and swelling will remain until the third month. When you stand up, you may feel some sort of pulling in your belly area, and will make you hunch until a few days. Your doctor will prescribe you the necessary medications to help reduce discomfort. Also, our agents will help you follow your doctor’s instructions and prepare the necessary items. If you feel any severe pain, don’t hesitate and inform your surgeon immediately.

• Medications

Your surgeon will prescribe certain medications to reduce the soreness and swelling. If you carefully follow your doctor’s instructions during recovery, you will end up feeling less pain and soreness and be taking less medications. One of the most important medications is antibiotics. A vast and invasive incision will be left on your body, and increases the risk of bacterial infections. Sticking to your schedules and taking the antibiotics will make you infection free and ease the process. Moreover, if deemed necessary, your surgeon will prescribe you other medications which include: ibuprofen or naproxen if you don’t bleed (take 1-2 days after surgery), and NSAIDS to reduce swelling and pain.

• Walking

Any type of exercise, including walking, are restricted during recovery. When you exercise, or do any strenuous activity, it will lead to abdomen muscle tightening, and might ruin the contours in that area. So running, aerobics, long walking and lifting are forbidden in the first week. However, the doctor advises to walk for about 15 minutes daily. Light and limited walking is good for the circulation, and will reduce swelling and the risk of forming blood clots during recovery. You can lift light weights and run after 3 or 4 weeks of recovery.

• Post-surgery diet

Diet after surgery is less limited, but your stomach may not appeal to any type of food. On the first days, drinks such as water are beneficial. After that, you could try dairy products such as yogurt and cheese, until your appetite is normal again.

To achieve the best results, you must go on a special diet, a diet both before and after the surgery.

• Sleeping Position

After having a tummy tuck, resting and having a good sleep is essential. To feel comfortable, you should lift your head and knees/feet. You could put pillows under your head and knees to elevate them. Also, you could use recliners, and sleep in a bent position with your head and legs elevated.

• In-Flight Care

Before flying back to your home country, you will stay in Iran for a week. In this week, the agents will take care of you regularly. You will both enjoy your time in Iran and decrease the risk of forming blood clots and vein thrombosis. Also, you should wear a compression garment during the flight, which will reduce swelling and increase circulation.

3-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline, Week 2

Bruising and soreness will decrease significantly in the second week. Swelling, also, will reduce, but will not completely fade. You must keep wearing the compression garment, following the instructions and taking your antibiotics. Light exercises increase circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots, but you still can not do any vigorous activity. Most of the patients claim they were feeling much better after the first week and could return to work after about 2 to 6 weeks.

4-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline, Month 1

At the end of the first month of recovery, results will start to seem visible. Pain, bruises, and soreness are almost gone, and you will feel much relieved. Swelling, however, might stay up to a few months during recovery, but will be significantly reduced with good care. You are able to start light exercises, but you are not able to do any type of strenuous activities, such as weight lifting and sit ups until month 2 or 3. You can also resume the consumption of alcohol and smoking in moderation.

5-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline, Month 2-3

By the second and third month of recovery, pain and soreness will completely go but still swelling may remain until a few months and come and go. At this time, you are allowed to not wear the compression garment anymore. To control the inconsiderable swelling, you could try wearing shapewears that provide slight tightening around the belly

6-Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline, Month 4-12

6 to 12 months after the procedure, swelling will be completely expunged and there is no need to wear shape wares anymore. You can now see the actual results and body contours of the surgery by swelling reduction. On the other hand, numbness in a certain area is not unusual and may remain for one year or even longer. If deemed safe, you can return to heavy exercises such as heavy weight lifting and push ups.

7-Advised Diet in Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

There is no doubt that you should feed your healing tissues with good food after the surgery. Also, sticking to a strict diet plan before the procedure is a must. Patients who stick to a strict diet, both before and after the surgery, will experience less pain, and achieve the results much quicker. It is necessary to replete your diet with high quality food such as proteins, vitamins (especially vitamin C), omega 3, antioxidants, and other types of useful nutritions to heal your body as fast and possible. We list some of the most important food, nutrients, and tips below to confer to your recovery.

• Drinks

Try drinking soft drinks such as water. Water is the most important fluid in order to promote healing. You should drink at least 2 litres of water (about 9-10 cups) each day, because drinking a lot of water will help to reduce swelling and ease the recovery period. After a few days you can try drinking other types of drinks like milk. It is important to keep in mind that you should not use drinks high in sodium and carbs, especially in the first days. Both carbs and sodium will increase inflammation and will make swelling last even longer.

• Foods

Consume lots of veggies, proteins, and vitamins to boost up your healing. Proteins are really essential and are the key for regaining health, because they will heal the injuries, especially in the muscles and boost up muscle and bone recovery. Food such as eggs, meat, and milk are great supplies and are helpful for the healing process. Try consuming low carb and low sodium nutrition such as fruits, which are high in vitamins.

• Nutrients Supplement

Nutrients such as vitamins are necessary during recovery. Although, always consult with your surgeon first if you want to take any medications. Essential nutrients after surgery to promote healing are vitamin C, E, and certain minerals. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli are high in vitamin C. Consuming too much vitamin E may damage your health. Minerals which may help regaining health are iron and magnesium. You can try taking high quality multivitamins as a good source of the essential nutrients.

• Alcohol

Drinking alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, will leave adverse effects after a tummy tuck. You should not drink alcohol 1 week before the surgery, and 2 weeks after the surgery. The reason is because drinking alcoholic beverages will lead to massive bleeding, and will interfere with some medications prescribed by your surgeon.

• Salt

Avoid any type of food which is high in salt. Salt will result in extensive bloating and swelling, something you are avoiding by wearing a compression garment and taking medications. So it literally makes your effort futile, and will decrease the recovery speed.

• Sugar and Saturated Fat

You should avoid foods high in sugar and saturated fat. These foods will lead to bloating and inflammation. Moreover, they are low in specific nutrients and will not help you recover. Besides, the reason why you have had a tummy tuck is to reduce fat, so consuming fatty foods after the procedure is inconsistent.

8-Daily Activities in Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

You need about 1 to 2 weeks of recovery to start activities again. After this period of time, you can resume light exercises such as walking. But any type of strenuous and vigorous activities and exercises are prohibited until week 6 or 7. Some activities and their healing time are listed below.

• Sleeping

You should rest and get enough sleep after any surgery, especially a tummy tuck for the first weeks. Your sleep position should also be regarded. You will sleep in a reclined position and avoid sleeping flat for about one month after the procedure.

• Moving After Surgery

You must walk every day during recovery to promote circulation and reduce the risk of forming blood clots. Moving daily will also speed healing. You should follow your surgeon’s instructions all the time carefully. Light exercises are advised at the first two weeks to reduce pain and swelling, and resume strenuous activities such as heavy weight lifting from week 6 or 7.

• Getting Back to Work

Patients usually need 2 to 6 weeks of recovery to feel well enough for work. Although, this time depends on the level of activity involved in your job. If it includes strenuous activities, then you might need to wait until month 2 or 3 to completely recover.

• Driving

At the first week, there is a need to drive to your hotel, or anywhere else, so you should not worry about it. You will use Flora’s VIP transfer during the first week of staying in Iran. You can safely drive after the first week, when you come back home.

• Taking a Shower

You can gently take a shower after 36 hours of healing, but bathing is still prohibited, because you might increase the risk of infections around and under the incision. You should also avoid going to the pool and jacuzzi.

• Sexual Activities

It is best to wait until the second month, when the swelling and pain has reduced. Having sex before the first month may increase the risk of developing haematoma, or any kind of disease related to swelling. Also, sexual activities are risky for the incisions and wounds, and may lead to infection. Wounds are completely healed and strengthened at week 6.

• Smoking

If you are a smoker, you should not smoke 2 weeks before and after the procedure. Even smoking after the second week of recovery is still dangerous because it may leave adverse effects. If you smoke prior or after the surgery, you should expect some catastrophic effects. Smoking at that period of time slows healing and causes skin necrosis.

9-Exercising in Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

Physical activities can be resumed as you heal. Light exercises are always an important factor for achieving the best possible results after a tummy tuck. We list some important physical activities and their limitations.

• Walking

Take it slow. You need some time to rest and heal. After the first 24 hours, the only allowed exercise is to walk for about 15 minutes in one or two hours. You can’t stand straight after the surgery, and will feel an extensive pulling feeling in your abdomen. Because of this pain, you should maintain a bent position and hunch while you walk and lie down.

• Running

While running, the abdominal muscles might get taxed. Your muscles are still not only not repaired, but also are in danger of damage and destruction. It is a must to wait until the 6^th week to resume distance running. Moreover, you should not suddenly jump into your previous running routine. Try increasing the speed and intensity gradually for the best results and less side effects.

• Aerobic and Cardio

After the surgery, it takes a few weeks for your muscles to heal. In order to resume your cardio and aerobic plans, you need to wait 2 more weeks after muscle recovery. Eventually, after about 6 weeks, you can resume light exercises such as water aerobics and very light cardiovascular activities.

• Lifting

After about 6 weeks of recovery, you can restart strenuous activities such as weight lifting, running, and cardiovascular exercises. Though, it is advised that patients resume these activities at 25 percent of their previous workout plans, and increase the intensity step by step.

• Swimming and Contact Sport

 Wait a minimum of 5 to 6 weeks, depending on the recovery speed, to go to the pool or jacuzzi. Your muscles need to repair and you should avoid swimming at that time. Also, the water may increase the risk of infection around and under the healing incisions.

The most important part of your recovery is to observe the dos and don’ts on their certain time. Considering that we will inform you about the exact details of your recovery timeline through the CRM system for 2 years, you can pass this process perfectly.

If you have any questions from Flora’s medical team regarding tummy tuck, or any type of cosmetic surgery, feel free to ask and get a free online consultation with our surgeons. Our experts and agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you, and provide any necessary information for a tummy tuck, achieving the best results, and accommodation in Iran.