Following your tummy tuck procedure, you will be cared for in our recovery room by a licensed registered nurse, and you may be monitored closely overnight if needed. Following abdominoplasty, you will ususally go home with a friend or family member.We suggest taking fourteen days for recovery when feasible, although it is indeed possible to return to work or school as early as seven to ten days after your abdominoplasty (provided there is no heavy lifting involved). Small drain tubes are placed during abdominoplasty, and will be removed between the third and seventh day. With few exceptions, all sutures are dissolvable, and no suture removal in necessary. Light aerobic activity may begin at ten days, and more strenuous exercise is begun at three weeks. Light aerobic activity (elliptical or Precor, light treadmill walking) may be resumed as early as seven days following tummy tuck, and more strenuous activity is begun at three weeks (excluding abdominal and core exercises, which are resumed at six weeks). The final shape and feel is reached approximately three months after abdominoplasty. Your relationship withus does not end after tummy tuck surgery; he will see you often through the first weeks and months following your abdominoplasty, and will advise you on all matters in your recovery including exercise, activity, and diet.

The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation. Although you may not be able to stand up completely straight, it is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Any surgical drains probably will be removed within a week following surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. Depending on the abdominoplasty technique used, you may be instructed to wear a support garment for several weeks. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately one or two weeks.
You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. The bruising and much of the swelling will disappear over a period of weeks. However, it may be months before all swelling subsides and you see the final result of your abdominoplasty. You may also notice some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear to worsen before they finally begin to fade.
Tummy tuck is a procedure that will give you lasting results as long as you maintain a stable weight and do not get pregnant after the surgery.
The best way to maintain the results from a tummy tuck is to keep an active lifestyle and maintain a healthy diet. If you do this, then you will enjoy the benefits of your tummy tuck for a very long time!

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.