How to Recover From a Tummy Tuck – Fast

A tummy tuck, otherwise known as an abdominal reduction surgery or abdominoplasty, is a major surgical method for smoothing and flattening the stomach by taking out excess skin and fat, leaving the muscles of the abdominal wall tightened.

The procedure usually lasts about two to five hours and may have temporary side effects such as soreness, swelling and numbness of the abdominal skin. Since it is a major surgery, initial recovery might take two to four weeks. You can do strenuous activities in four to six weeks. However, the flattening and fading of the scars may take a few months to a few years.

Following the operation, the doctor will require you to spend at least another night in the hospital to recover from the anesthesia. Once you are discharged, let someone else drive you home and assist you in your activities for a few days. You need to take a leave from work and stay at home without doing any heavy lifting or exercise for the next weeks, allowing your body to fully heal.

Wearing a compression garment is also a requirement to support your abdomen and lessen the discomfort and swelling. Apart from this, your doctor will prescribe some medication to ease the pain from the swelling.

Gradually, your skin around the abdomen will heal, with your scars slowly fading and flattening out. The fastness of your recuperation from the surgery will depend on your physical form prior to the treatment. For those who were not in a good physical condition, it may take awhile to get better.