Tummy Tuck: Your Week-by-Week Recovery Timeline

Week 1

• The first week of tummy tuck recovery will involve a lot of rest and relaxation. You won’t be able to lift anything over 5 to 10 lbs., bend over at the waist, stand for prolonged periods, or reach over your head.
• Mobility will also be difficult, and you’ll be slightly bent forward to prevent incision tension or damage. Because of this, arrange in advance for a friend, partner, or family member to help for the first two to three days.
• Starting on day 1 or 2, start taking very short indoor walks to prevent blood clots. Avoid other exercise until cleared to resume. Additionally, avoid straining or twisting, since these can damage the incision.
• Take care of your incisions as directed. You can start showering again on day 1 or 2, but follow your surgeon’s showering instructions as closely as possible.
• During week 1, you’ll wear a compression garment as directed to help reduce swelling and support the abdomen as it heals. Follow Dr. Golger’s instructions regarding how long and how often to wear your garment during each stage of recovery.
• Take all antibiotics as prescribed. Avoid alcohol and smoking until cleared, since these can negatively affect the healing process. You’ll also need to stay well hydrated and stick to a protein-rich diet.
• Discomfort, tightness, soreness, pain, and swelling are at their worst during the first three days. During days 4 to 7, swelling plateaus, soreness slowly decreases, and bruising shifts in color. Pain becomes more of a dull ache and less of a sharp sensation, so patients usually need less pain medication.

Traditional tummy tuck recovery may involve surgical drains that remain in place temporarily after surgery. Because Dr. Golger performs drainless tummy tucks using internal quilting sutures, patients do not need to manage drains or return for drain removal. This approach can provide a smoother, more comfortable recovery with potentially less downtime.

Week 2

• A week after the procedure, you’ll come in for your first follow-up appointment with your surgeon. This will allow the surgeon to examine the incisions and assess their healing.
• After seven to ten days, most patients can return to work and resume light activities. If your job is more physically taxing, you’ll need more time off to heal first. You’ll also be able to perform multiple daily 10-to-15-minute walks.
• At some point during week 2, pain will have decreased to the point where you’ll be able to switch from your prescribed pain medication to a non-NSAID over-the-counter option. Once you’re fully off opioid pain medications, you’ll be able to drive again safely (but make sure to check with your surgeon for clearance first).
• Swelling and tightness will also have started to decrease. Additionally, the abdominoplasty incisions will have started to heal. By the end of week 2, you’ll most likely be able to return to comfortably standing upright.

Week 3

• At this point, you won’t need pain medication, since discomfort will have greatly decreased. There will also be much less swelling and tightness. Continue wearing your compression garment as directed by Dr. Golger as your abdomen heals.
• By week 3, your incisions will have healed enough to start turning into pink or red scars. Dr. Golger focuses on minimizing scarring and keeping it well camouflaged. Make sure to avoid exposing your new scars to UV rays, and always apply a high-SPF sunblock to the area.
• Fully healed incisions will be ready for application of scar-reduction products. Consistently applying products like silicone gel or silicone sheet therapy as recommended can be very effective.

Weeks 4 to 6

• Your surgeon will most likely clear you to start performing light exercises at this point. This can include light elliptical work, walking, and stationary bike workouts. If you have a more physically demanding job, you may be able to return to it.
• Your need for compression will continue to decrease as healing progresses, based on Dr. Golger’s postoperative instructions.

Weeks 6 to 8

• Patience is key during week 6. You’ll come in for another follow-up appointment, where photos will be taken to capture your recovery progress and the appearance of your results.
• After week 6, you can slowly and carefully return to more physically taxing exercises and playing sports. After six to twelve weeks of healing, your surgeon may clear you to resume heavy lifting, core exercises, and high-impact exercises.
• Between six and twelve weeks, most swelling will have improved. You may also be cleared to begin massaging the scars to help soften and flatten the scar tissue.

Months 3 to 12

• You’ll come in for another follow-up appointment three months after surgery. Most of the swelling will have resolved by this point.
• Continue applying scar-treatment products for three to six months. After twelve months, scars should blend nicely with the surrounding skin.
• Residual swelling may be noticeable for six to twelve months. You may still experience some numbness around the incisions for up to twelve months, but it will fade over time.