Tips for Recovering from a Tummy Tuck

Making the decision to improve your body image by getting a tummy tuck is one of the best things you can do for your confidence, self-esteem, and health. You’ll love your slimmer silhouette and your ability to participate in so many more activities. Maybe that’s why it remains one of the top five plastic surgery procedures performed every year. 

But, before you get to the point where you’re trying on smaller sizes and playing tennis, you have some serious self-care ahead of you. 

Frederick H. Watkins, MD, with practices in Rockville, Maryland, and McLean, Virginia, is the go-to choice for those looking for a safe and effective way to change their waistlines for good. He’s professional, compassionate, and personable, so you can count on him to come alongside you from start to finish with expert care. 

A big part of your successful tummy tuck depends on you. It’s important to follow Dr. Watkins’ instructions and to not rush the recovery process. If you’re patient, you’ll end up with beautiful abs for years to come. Here’s how to get them.

Manage your expectations

We know you’re excited about flattening your stomach, and you can’t wait for the day when you look in the mirror and see a new you. And that day is not far off, but it may be about a month and half down the road. 

Starting with the day of your surgery, you’ll need to set realistic goals about what you’ll look like when you get home, how you’ll feel, what steps you’ll need to take to optimize your results, and how long it will take to fully recover. Dr. Watkins will discuss all this with you during your initial consultation and throughout your time together.

Things to consider about your tummy tuck recovery

During a tummy tuck procedure, also called abdominoplasty, Dr. Watkins removes excess fat, tissue, and skin to tighten up the abdominal walls and provide a flatter stomach. It’s a fairly invasive procedure that takes about 3-4 hours, and your body will respond as it normally would when trauma occurs. 

Even if you opt for a less invasive mini tummy tuck, you can expect to feel the effects afterward. 

Use pain medication

Everyone has a different ability to tolerate pain. If you need pain medication for a few days after your surgery, Dr. Watkins can prescribe it for you. Many people opt out of prescription pain medications and do well with over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen.

Take care of your wounds

As with all surgeries, there’s always a risk of infection, so you’ll need to keep the surgical site clean and dry. Dr. Watkins will place a small drainage tube at the site to allow excess fluid to escape for the first few days. He’ll show you how to take care of it and drain it as necessary.

He may also prescribe anticoagulants to help your blood clot and promote healing, and an antibiotic to ward off infection. 

Wear a compression garment

To keep your muscles and other abdominal tissues in place after surgery, Dr. Watkins recommends wearing a compression garment. He’ll let you know how long you may need to wear it depending on your unique condition.

Curb your activity

A tummy tuck involves cutting, poking, prodding, and repositioning your muscles and skin and then stitching them back up. Because of this, they’re bound to be a bit sore. So you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for about six weeks to give them time to knit back together. 

Following surgery, you’ll need plenty of rest, so you should make plans to take some time off work and other physical duties. However, you shouldn’t stay completely sedentary. Light walking will help keep your circulation going and promote healing.

Take care of yourself

There are many things you can do to pamper yourself and give your body the best chance at a full and speedy recovery, including:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Drinking green tea to boost your immunity
• Applying cold packs to reduce swelling
• Positioning your body to avoid excess inflammation
• Praying or meditating to keep you mind and body calm

Recovering from your tummy tuck surgery shouldn’t be hard, but it should be intentional. By letting yourself heal gradually and not rushing the process, you’ll see the body of your dreams in no time.

To learn more about tummy tucks or to schedule a consultation, book an appointment online or over the phone with the practice of Frederick H. Watkins, MD, today.