Recovery times vary from person to person but in general, it takes up to 1 week to get back on your feet and return to non physical work duties, around 2 to 3 weeks to return to normal daily activities 6 to 8 weeks to return to your normal workout schedule. Discomfort after this surgery varies greatly depending on the type of procedures that are included. A tummy tuck will have longer lasting discomfort, when compared to other surgeries, especially if there is a split muscle repair (aka rectus diastasis repair). Surprisingly, liposuction has the longest lasting discomfort and it can be sore to the touch often the longest. Fortunately, we have many tricks to help you feel more comfortable during recovery. This includes the use of local anesthesia during surgery and pain medications, muscle relaxants and compression garments after surgery. Cryotherapy and our IR sauna also offer great ways to get back on your feet quicker.
A few things you need to know about our approach to a Tummy Tuck:
What we treat: Pregnancy, weight loss, unwanted weight gain, and age related changes, can all negatively affect the shape and contour of your belly, hips, and lower back. By utilizing the most effective surgical and non-surgical options available, we can address and correct all of your abdominal concerns, including: stretch marks, loose and/or hanging skin, unsightly pockets of fat, stretched muscles and a bulging belly.
Muscle repair: Stretching of the abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) from pregnancy or weight gain, can drastically change the appearance of your belly and the functioning of your core. In our office it is standard to combine a rectus diastasis repair with a tummy tuck. This repair puts your core muscles back into their anatomically correct position which can drastically improve the strength and appearance of your belly.
Skin tightening: Loose skin along your belly, hips and lower back will often persist even with diligent attention to diet and exercise. Options for addressing loose skin vary based on the severity and location. From external skin resurfacing with Morpheus8, to in-office minimally invasive assisted liposuction with BodyTite, or a formal tummy tuck, we offer a variety of treatments to optimize your results.
Excess fat: Excess fat of the belly and waist is universally frustrating and often resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction, BodyTite, and tummy tucks, alone or in combination, will remove these areas of unwanted fat and restore your natural contour.