Activity: Most patients are ready to return to most aspects of normal daily activities 7 days following surgery.After coming this far, you do not want to undo all the great work you and your surgeon have done.Įnsure you make note of the following during week 2 of your tummy tuck recovery: While some restrictions are lifted after week 1, it is still important to take it easy and follow your surgeon’s instructions. Remember, discomfort, bruising, and swelling are to be expected, but if you begin to experience fever, nausea, unusual pain, or redness around the incision site, contact your surgeon. Patients should stay hydrated and maintain a diet that is low in sodium to reduce swelling.In most cases, patients can take a shower a day or two after surgery.It is critical to minimize swelling, support healing, and maximize results. A post tummy tuck compression garment should be worn at all times during the first week following the surgery, and as often as possible for the following 6-8 weeks.Bandages on the incision site should be replaced, and the area around the incision gently cleaned, every other day following surgery.Most patients require drains for the first few days after surgery, which are removed about 5 days after surgery. A drain is a device that directs excess fluid away from the incision and out of the body.Any activity involving lifting and carrying, driving, exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol should be avoided. On day 3, activity is encouraged but should be limited. Bed rest is recommended for the first 2 days after your tummy tuck procedure.What does a tummy tuck recovery day by day timeline look like in the first week? Here’s what to keep in mind: This will not only help heal your incision heal and reduce swelling more quickly, but it will also help to maximize your tummy tuck results. Week one of tummy tuck recovery involves getting plenty of rest and following all of the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. During your pre-operative appointment, you will receive prescriptions for oral medications to take prior to surgery to reduce the likelihood of infection as well as prescription pain medications to help you manage your discomfort. It may take several hours for the anesthesia medication to wear off, so expect to be groggy for a while.ĭiscomfort is also to be expected, which can be managed with medications. Therefore, you must have someone to drive you home after surgery and take care of you afterward so you can rest for the remainder of the day. Tummy tuck procedures are performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. However, in most cases, there is a relatively predictable tummy tuck recovery timeline.

Request a Consultation Your Week by Week Tummy Tuck Recovery TimelineĪs you read the tummy tuck recovery week by week details below, understand that the healing time for every tummy tuck is different and depends upon the extent of your surgical plan.

Day 3 tummy tuck recovery