Your Guide to Tummy Tuck Recovery
When planning to have a tummy tuck, one of the most important things to educate yourself on is the recovery period, as this is key to optimal results! Planning for your recovery before surgery will not only help results-wise but also put your mind at ease, knowing what to expect as your body heals.
Preparing for Tummy Tuck Recovery
It helps to prepare for your tummy tuck recovery by making any necessary arrangements and purchasing any supplies you may need ahead of time. These include:
- Nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals
- Comfortable clothes
- Entertainment (movies, books, etc.)
- A ride home from the procedure
- Assistance caring for children or pets as needed
What is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?
You can anticipate giving yourself one to two weeks for recovery after your surgery. Dr. Bachilo implements a therapeutic medication regimen so patients can maintain their comfort and reach the best possible results through their recovery. These medications will be provided before surgery, so you have them on-hand and ready upon your arrival home.
Because Dr. Bachilo uses long-acting pain control injections, you can expect very little to no discomfort throughout the recovery process. It’s normal, however, to feel some tightness and see some bruising and swelling, which quickly dissipates.
Drainless Recovery
If you’ve been looking into traditional tummy tuck surgery for a while, you may have come across the recovery process of drain care post-surgery. Drains do just that- drain out excess fluid after the operation. However, these require daily maintenance.
Dr. Bachilo prefers a drainless tummy tuck approach, in which dissolvable tension sutures are used to prevent fluid accumulation. This results in a simpler recovery process without the need for drains. Not only are drainless tummy tucks less complicated compared to a traditional tummy tuck, but we also see a faster recovery time, as well as smoother healing of scars.
Compression Garments
If necessary, our office will provide a compression garment or abdominal binder, which helps to reduce swelling and encourages proper healing.
Returning to Work after a Tummy Tuck
Our tummy tuck patients are typically ready to return to work a week after their procedure. If your job is physically demanding, however, you could expect about two weeks before you return to your routine.
Exercising after a Tummy Tuck
After your surgery, we encourage light activity, but it’s important not to perform any activity that is considered too strenuous. This includes your regular exercise routine, which you should avoid for 4-6 weeks following the surgery. When you are ready to start exercising again, start slowly, and pay close attention to how you feel so as not to overexert yourself. Listening to your body is key!
Minimizing Tummy Tuck Scars
Scarring is a trade-off with tummy tuck surgery, but thankfully, incisions are made strategically so that scars are hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. Besides, there are methods to minimize scarring as much as possible, which include medical-grade silicone, creams, and other products as well as in-office treatments through our medspa.
Follow-Up Appointments
Whereas most plastic surgeons only provide a few follow-up appointments, Dr. Bachilo offers complimentary long-term follow-ups. During your appointments, Dr. Bachilo will check in on your healing and educate you on how best to minimize scarring as well as answer any questions or concerns you may have. You can rest assured that you will be taken care of throughout the entire process and reach your ideal results.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about tummy tucks and find out if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure, schedule a consultation at Glamour Plastic Surgery. Call our office at (713) 766-4643 or request an appointment online to get started.
