Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightening the underlying muscles to create a smoother, firmer, and more toned abdominal contour. Your midsection plays a central part in your body’s appearance, posture, and core strength. Proper post-operative care is crucial to protect your incisions, support healing, and ensure optimal recovery.
Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions closely is essential for optimal healing and achieving the best results.
Post-operative instructions for Abdominoplasty
After the surgery
- You will stay in bed for the next 24 hours with a couple of pillows popped under your knees and head to prevent stretching the stitches. Only get up to use the restroom with assistance.
- The initial days may be challenging, and you will find movements painful as your midsection heals and the tissues adjust after the surgery.
- When you first return home, you may not be able to stand fully upright and might need to walk slightly stooped or bent at the hips for a few days. It helps reduce tension on the suture line. This is completely normal and will gradually improve as your abdomen heals.
- You will go home wearing a compression garment or an abdominal binder after your Tummy Tuck. You must wear it all the time for as long as your surgeon says. It helps control swelling and fluid build-up, supports the healing tissues, and maintains the new contour of your abdomen during the recovery period.
- After 24 hours, you may resume gentle, light activity. This improves blood flow to your abdomen, reduces stiffness, and aids in healing, making your midsection more comfortable as it recovers.
- Your surgeon may place drains in your wounds that exit through the skin. These drains may stay in for as long as seven days and will be removed by the surgeon when the amount of drainage slows.
- You will be asked to monitor and record the amount of fluid from each drain, so your doctor can track your recovery and ensure proper healing.
It is essential to get up and walk a little every day to regain your normal movement. Move your legs and feet to prevent blood clots. Lying in bed all day is not good for recovery.
Caring for your incisions
- Abdominoplasty incisions are typically closed with sutures, which may be dissolvable or removable, depending on your surgeon’s technique.
- Dissolvable stitches are absorbed by the body over time and do not require removal. Removable stitches are usually taken out within 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, during a follow-up appointment.
- Your incisions will be covered with sterile dressings to protect the stitches and promote healing. It is important keep the stitches clean and dry to prevent infection, minimize scarring, and achieve smooth, even abdominal contours as your body heals.
- Change dressings as directed by the doctor. Keep an eye on drainage or bleeding and report any unusual or excessive changes to your surgeon right away.
- Sitting may be uncomfortable or challenging in the first few days due to your recently operated abdomen. Take your time and use proper support to avoid putting strain on your incisions and healing tissues.
- Avoid smoking and all nicotine products after surgery. They can increase the risk of complications and may affect the results of your procedure.
- Do not expose your body to the sun for several weeks after surgery, and wear clothes that cover your abdomen when going outdoors. Even a mild sunburn can worsen swelling or irritation of your incision, leading to delayed healing and risk of infection.
- Do not apply any lotions, creams, or ointments on the treated area that have not been prescribed by your doctor. They can be harmful to the fragile healing tissue.
Keep your incisions clean and dry. If they rub against clothing, you can cover them with a sterile gauze bandage for protection and comfort.
What to expect?
- Pain – Some pain, tightness, and soreness are normal after Abdominoplasty. The first few days might be tough, but they will gradually improve and lessen over the next couple of weeks as your body heals.
- Swelling – Swelling in the surgical areas is common. It usually starts subsiding within a few weeks. It also varies from person to person. Keep wearing your compression garment as directed by your doctor to reduce swelling and promote healing.
- Bruising – You will notice bruising around the incision areas, which may extend to the lower abdomen or hips. Most bruises start healing in 2 to 3 weeks. They will change color from a purplish color to a yellow or green shade as they start to fade.
- Bleeding – You may find small amounts of blood or oozing from the incision in the first 24–48 hours. Use dressing as instructed to manage it. It is not serious unless it turns excessive.
- Irregular bowel movement – You may experience irregular bowel movements right after your surgery. This is not unusual. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. Take a fiber supplement daily to help support healthy digestion. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, call your doctor. They may recommend a light laxative to provide relief and ensure safe recovery.
Your abdomen may feel firm, tight, or slightly lumpy as the tissues heal and swelling begins to subside. Over the following weeks, they will soften, revealing a smoother, firmer, and more toned abdominal contour.
What to eat?
- It is best to start with a light, low-fat diet after surgery to help your digestive system recover.
- You can eat a normal diet if your stomach tolerates food and you feel comfortable eating.
- Focus on eating fiber-rich foods to prevent constipation.
- Include protein in your diet to encourage healing.
- Avoid greasy, heavy, spicy, or overly processed foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, as it can lead to nausea and dizziness. Make sure to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Stay away from alcohol for at least 2 weeks or as directed by your doctor.
Medications
- Take all the medications as prescribed by your doctor, including pain-relieving medications and antibiotics. They reduce discomfort and prevent infection.
- Always take your medications with food to prevent nausea and vomiting.
- Do not take any other medications without consulting your doctor.
- Only use the scar gels or other topical creams your surgeon has prescribed. Using other medications can delay healing, irritate the incision, and affect your final results.
Showering after Tummy Tuck
- You may shower or sponge bath the day after the operation with assistance and wash your skin with soap and water.
- Avoid soaking the incision or submerging the drains.
- Pat dry your skin gently after washing to protect your healing tissues and prevent irritation.
- Stay away from bathtubs or Jacuzzis until your incisions have healed or you have been cleared by your surgeon.
Physical activity
- Refrain from all strenuous activities in the initial weeks after your Tummy Tuck. Stress on your abdominal muscles or vigorous activity could stretch or break the stitches.
- You can start with minimal activities, with a period of rest from the second week.
- You will be able to return to light activities and work 2 – 4 weeks after surgery. By the third week, you can go back to part-time work if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort.
- Do not push, pull, or lift more than 5lbs of weight for 6 weeks or until cleared by your surgeon.
- It will take at least 6 – 8 weeks before you can resume physically demanding activities, depending on your comfort level and healing process.
You can get back to normal life and activities as you regain your strength and your incisions heal. Your surgeon will guide you on when you can return to work fulltime based on your health and the type of work you do.
Range of motion
- During the first few days after surgery, abdominal tightness and soreness may affect your range of motion. You will find bending, twisting, or reaching out uncomfortable as your muscles and tissues heal.
- With time, as swelling decreases and your tissues recover, your range of motion will improve. Your surgeon will guide you regarding gentle stretching and light movements to help restore flexibility, reduce stiffness, and encourage overall recovery.
- Avoid overextending or sudden movements for the next 4 to 6 weeks or until your surgeon approves.
Conditions that require emergency care
Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Temperature above 101.8°F
- Shakes and chills
- Intense pain in your incision site that does not subside with medication
- Red, swollen abdomen which feels hard and warm to the touch
- Bright red blood from the incision site
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Signs of allergic reaction, such as itching or rashes
Seeking prompt medical assistance plays a crucial role in preventing complications and ensuring a safe and successful recovery.