You may notice some temporary signs of discomfort after your tummy tuck such as: an inability to stand fully upright for a couple of days or weeks, pain and bruising for a few weeks, swelling for several weeks or months, and numbness, a pulling sensation, and/or tightness and pain when you cough for weeks or months.
WHAT DOES A TUMMY TUCK SCAR LOOK LIKE?
Our surgeons will use special care and expertise to minimize the appearance of your scar. The size of your scar depends on the type of tummy tuck you have and the amount of skin we remove. In either case, we will make the incision where many undergarments and swimsuits will cover it.
Mini tummy tuck scar — This procedure will have a shorter horizontal scar just above your pubic mound (skin above your pubic bone).
Full tummy tuck scar — This procedure will have a longer horizontal or U-shaped scar above your pubic mound. This may stretch from hip bone to hip bone. If we create a new opening for your belly button, you will have a small circular scar too.
Your tummy tuck scar will thin and fade gradually over the course of one year. However, it will always be visible. For the best results, make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions for tummy tuck recovery.
TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY TIME
Your plastic surgeon will see for you regular follow-up visits during your tummy tuck recovery, supporting you through it all. The most important thing to remember is that you should follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions closely.
Recovery time for a tummy tuck varies, depending on factors like:
- the type of tummy tuck you have,
- your age and health, and
- following aftercare instructions.
In general, you can expect to: see an improvement in your abdomen’s appearance soon after your procedure. It will progress gradually as you are able to stand taller and your swelling and scars fade.
return to work as early as two weeks after surgery. If your job involves lifting heavy objects daily, you will need to wait four to six weeks.
- feel like yourself again around two months after surgery.
- resume all activities three months after surgery.
- see your scar fade over several months to one year.
SUPPORT YOU’LL NEED AFTER SURGERY
It is important to have friends or family that will support your social and emotional health as you heal. You will need someone at home that can help you after your tummy tuck surgery — for at least a couple of days, but ideally much longer. Some of the reasons include:
- difficulty moving around when you return home from surgery. Walking, standing for a long time, bending, and lifting may all be a challenge.
- bending quickly or lifting too much — even a small child — can stretch or reopen your incision and prolong bleeding and swelling.
- not being able to drive for two weeks after surgery.
Sister Kay McNaught 