Mini Tummy Tuck Post Operative Care is an important part of your final outcome.
Recovery from a mini tummy tuck can take approximately two weeks. For the first few days, the stomach will be sore and swollen because you just had surgery on your abdominal muscles. Limiting movement as much as possible will allow your body to heal. Sleeping in an upright position will also help to eliminate any tension around your midsection. In about a week, you will be able to resume your regular daily activities.
During the first six weeks, refrain from vigorous exercise. You will continue to experience swelling; however, it will slowly dissipate as time passes, revealing your ultimate results. Once you’re feeling better, begin to incorporate short walks to circulate your blood and consider returning to work and other daily routines.
Before you are discharged home, you will be given post operative care appointments to come and see the nurses one week after surgery and another appointment to see Anna after one month. This may vary depending on your specific circumstances. It is included in the pricing of the surgery.
You will also be given a post operative care information sheet and telephone numbers for you to call in case of any query you may have once at home.
Anna recommends that patients wear the abdominal binder/corset/garment provided for 4 weeks following surgery and should be worn as much as possible for the first 10 days (day and night).
A softer garment could be worn if the postoperative one is too uncomfortable after 2 weeks, for a period of 6 to 8 weeks.
Providing it all heals normally no dressings are needed after 2 weeks. Anna recommends application of micropore or silicone tape to the wounds for six weeks to prevent early stretching of the scars.
Time off work and return to activities
Recovery may vary between patients. In general, allow 3 to 4 weeks.
Some patients can return to work after 4 weeks, however, if your work requires a lot of physical activity (heavy lifting, bending and stretching) then you may require a longer time for your post operative care.
Day 1 to 4 of post operative care
Take it very easy!!!You will need plenty of helpers to do things for you. You should not be looking after any young children or doing any housework.
Day 4 to 15 of post operative care
No housework please. No bed making, stretching or picking up heavy objects.
You should be able to walk a distance at 7 to 10 days, short walk to the park etc, although you may still be uncomfortable.
By the end of the second week, you should be virtually pain free.
Week 3 onwards of post operative care
If all wounds are fully healed you should be able to increase activity, ie swimming. However, you should start at a lower intensity to what you were doing before and gradually build up.
Aerobics, steps, cycling etc should be avoided for 8 weeks. When you start, always begin with a lower intensity to what you were used to before the surgery and gradually build up.
Sexual activity usually it is best avoided for the first 2 to 3 weeks.
By 8 weeks you should be back to normal.
Driving
Always check with your insurance company. You should be pain free and able to do an emergency turn before driving.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
