Tummy Tuck Post-Operative Care

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Diet

    There is no restriction on your diet.  You may notice that your intestines may be temporarily inactive after your surgery.  You may have to start out with fluids and progress to your regular diet as tolerated.  It is still important to maintain a healthy diet even after your surgery.

Activity

    You will be able to get up and out of bed the day after your surgery.  You will notice that there is some tension and tightness around your abdomen.  You may not be able to stand completely upright for the first few days.  You will be asked to wear an abdominal binder for approximately 6 weeks.  You should refrain from any strenuous activity for the first few weeks.  After six weeks, you will be back to your normal daily activity.

Wound Care

    You will have stitches along your bikini line.  These stitches will dissolve by themselves.  The stitches around your belly button will be removed in 7-10 days.  You will also have drains placed in the wound at the time of surgery.  These drains will be removed when the drainage has slowed down to the appropriate volume.  This usually takes about one week.  The skin on your belly will feel numb after the surgery.  Most of the numbness will disappear with time.  The scars that you have along your bikini line may be initially red in color and raised.  They will usually lighten in color and soften with time.  This may take several months.

Disclaimer:  This informational tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) site is intended solely to provide a basic understanding of tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty).  The information on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery shared by the author may differ from the views on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) of your plastic surgeon.  Results from tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery can vary from one person to another.  This tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) web site is in no way a guarantee or warranty of the results you might obtain from tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery.  For additional information on tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery contact your Plastic Surgeon or the American Society of Plastic Surgery.