The rehabilitation process after abdominoplasty is quite long and sometimes very painful. This is understandable, because abdominoplasty is a full-fledged surgical operation with all the ensuing consequences. In the process of rehabilitation, in order to consolidate the positive effect achieved by abdominoplasty, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician.

Compression underwear after tummy tuck

An important element of the recovery period is compression underwear after abdominoplasty. It is usually a wide bandage encircling the body in the abdomen. Such underwear provides the necessary compression, accelerates healing and prevents swelling. Sometimes it is worn on a person immediately after an abdominoplasty, when he is still under general anesthesia. This allows you to protect the seams and swelling after abdominoplasty from excessive mechanical stress.

It usually makes sense to purchase at least two sets of supportive underwear, in which case it is easier to ensure that it is washed on time. Some types of laundry need to be air dried, and this happens quite slowly, so it is logical to have a spare set. In most cases, compression underwear is worn for at least 3-4 months after the abdominoplasty has been performed, the rehabilitation period for this plastic surgery is very long.

Compression garments are available in various sizes. Putting it on may seem a bit difficult at first, but practice solves this problem. It is usually easier to put it on in a standing position. Compression underwear should be completely smooth on the body, it is important to avoid any wrinkles and folds. Usually during the day it is required to correct the position of the linen on the body 1-2 times, as it gets a little off in the process of wearing. Compression underwear after abdominoplasty is actively discussed in the corresponding section of the forum of our website.

How to ease the recovery period after abdominoplasty

Immediately after an abdominoplasty, the abdomen is usually swollen and there may be a feeling of pulsation in the operated area. The doctor prescribes painkillers to the patient, which must be taken when severe pain occurs. It is important not to delay taking painkillers until the pain becomes severe. Early intake of analgesics can reduce their total consumption. Pain should not be tolerated, as painful sensations worsen well-being and slow down recovery.

The pain usually subsides within a few days, as does the swelling. Small bruises may remain, but they will also disappear in a few days. It is important to understand this in order not to become depressed and not to get upset in vain. The formation of hematomas and swelling is a completely normal consequence of surgical interventions, including abdominoplasty. It depends on the careful observance of the doctor's recommendations after how many days the swelling subsides and the hematomas disappear.

Upon discharge from the hospital, the attending physician provides the patient with detailed written instructions. The plastic surgeon provides his patient with a list of medications to take and detailed instructions regarding behavior, hygiene, wearing compression stockings and lifestyle in the coming weeks and months after abdominoplasty. In the event of any alarming manifestations and adverse signs, such as fever or bleeding from the incision, you should immediately notify the doctor.

• special diet throughout the rehabilitation prescribed by the surgeon
• a sharp limitation of motor activity in the first days after abdominoplasty
• a significant reduction in physical activity and lifting weights in the first months after surgery
• regular performance of special sets of exercises prescribed by a plastic surgeon
• smoking cessation throughout the entire rehabilitation period, as nicotine interferes with recovery processes
• refraining from sunbathing on the beach and in the solarium for a many-month recovery period, until obtaining permission from the attending physician
• avoiding saunas, hot baths and contrast showers for an extended period until a doctor's permission is obtained

Lifestyle during the rehabilitation period

If you are taking oral contraceptives, then remember that some antibiotics may interact with them in an undesirable way. Therefore, in addition to oral contraceptives, additional methods of contraception should be used. Of course, in the first weeks after abdominoplasty, most patients simply abstain from sexual activity due to malaise. Before resuming sexual activity, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that such actions are safe for the body.

Your doctor will often recommend that you place extra pillows under your head and shoulders for the first 2 weeks to keep your upper body elevated. In the first days after the operation, the patient should lie down a lot. In an upright position, pain intensifies and it is better to lie or at least sit. It is important not to overload your body and nervous system for the first time after the operation, you need to rest and sleep a lot, as this ensures an accelerated recovery after abdominoplasty.

In the first weeks after abdominoplasty, it is important to regularly measure the temperature. An elevated temperature usually indicates an infection or inflammation. The first time after surgery, the patient is usually prescribed antibiotics, which must be taken exactly according to the doctor's instructions. Even if a person feels normal, one should not arbitrarily reduce the dosage of antibiotics or stop taking them, as this is fraught with the development of an infection.

After removal of excess skin and subcutaneous fat, tension is created, so special attention should be paid to how to sleep after abdominoplasty. The main part of the load falls on the area of ​​tissue connection in the seam area. To reduce this load and reduce pain, the patient after the operation is placed on a couch with legs bent at the knees. In this position, it is possible to reduce the load on the seam and prevent its divergence.

When can I sleep on my side after tummy tuck?

You can sleep on your side after abdominoplasty after the first day of your stay in the hospital. Provided that an elastic bandage is worn that creates a certain pressure on the anterior abdominal wall, this position will not lead to complications.

It is allowed to roll over on the stomach after 4 weeks. By this time, the skin adapts, the tension becomes weaker. In addition, the risk of suture divergence is reduced, as the incision area gradually heals.

Of great importance in the process of rehabilitation is the observance of a number of rules in the usual way of life.

1. The diet should include foods that are easily digestible. Weight gain is undesirable and reduces the effectiveness of the result.
2. Physical activity is excluded for 7 days. After that, it is allowed to do household chores that are not related to lifting weights and overstretching the anterior abdominal wall. Return to sports training is allowed after 3 months, the load should be minimal, classes are held in a bandage.
3. After abdominoplasty, you can sleep and walk in a half-bent position. Adaptation of the skin and strengthening of the seam occurs within 1-2 weeks.
4. Lymphatic drainage massage and microcurrent therapy will help relieve swelling and stagnation of the lymph.

Regime restrictions are temporary, their observance is rewarded with the acquisition of a slender, toned figure and ensures an effective and long-term result of the operation.

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat in order to reduce and tighten the abdomen. Tummy tuck is most popular among women who have recently gone through childbirth, as pregnancy can drastically change the appearance of the abdominal area. Abdominoplasty will tighten the abdominal muscles, which are usually weakened as a result of pregnancy. Both men and women who have recently lost weight resort to the operation.

Preoperative consultations

During preoperative consultations, the patient discusses with the doctor the medications and supplements taken, the medical history. Both of these aspects must be considered in order to assess the risks of potentially dangerous blood clots and excessive bleeding during surgery. Smokers should stop all nicotine intake at least three months prior to surgery and continue to abstain during recovery.

Many patients don't realize that nicotine can seriously impair the body's ability to heal itself.

Smoking interferes with very important functions: the ability of cells to divide and grow, and the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria that can lead to infections. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, making it difficult for red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the skin cells at the incision site. When oxygen delivery is inhibited, it can significantly delay healing. In addition, if white blood cell function is impaired, the patient is much more likely to develop an infection that can lead to serious complications.

In order to minimize the risk of developing blood clots, patients will be asked to stop taking birth control at least two weeks before surgery. You should also stop taking anticoagulants, hormones, or supplements such as fish oil in order to minimize bleeding during surgery.

Understanding the entire abdominoplasty process from preoperative planning to full recovery can play an important role in the success of the operation.

This knowledge can help patients feel confident in their decision and help achieve the best possible outcomes.

Abdominoplasty procedure: step by step

Tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia. The following is a general overview of how the operation is performed.

1. The patient is given anesthesia.

2. The surgeon makes one incision from the pelvic bone to the pelvic bone. A second incision is made to free the umbilicus from the surrounding tissue.

3. Working through the incision, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical abdominal muscles.

4. The surgeon pulls the muscles close together and stitches them together in the new position. This provides strong support for the abdominal wall and narrows the waist.

5. The surgeon spreads the skin over the new base structure and removes excess skin.

6. The surgeon forms a new hole for the navel, the navel is fixed in a new place.

7. Finally, the skin flap is finally stretched into place, drainage tubes are inserted and bandages are applied.

Rehabilitation after abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck almost always involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and other tissue, along with tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles. It requires internal and external healing.

The degree of surgical intervention is a determining factor in determining the rehabilitation time required after the procedure.

There are three main types of abdominoplasty:

• mini,
• standard,
• extended.

The mini tummy tuck focuses on the area below the navel. The operation usually involves an incision located between the pelvic bones, some tightening of the abdominal wall, and removal of excess fat and skin. After surgery, it only takes about a week to avoid physical activity before patients can resume normal activities.

A standard abdominoplasty is similar to a mini tummy tuck, but may involve intervention above the navel. A major abdominoplasty usually involves liposuction and other treatments applied to the area of ​​the fat folds at the waist, the so-called "love handles". Both of these procedures may require weeks of minimal activity after surgery.

Both standard and extended tummy tucks often require the placement of drainage tubes to help prevent blood and fluid from accumulating at the incision site. The tubes are usually removed after a few days.
Rehabilitation after abdominoplasty will take some time and will not always be pleasant.

Abdominoplasty, especially extended, is a serious surgical intervention.

The patient only learns during recovery how often he uses the abdominal muscles every day!

Stitches may be removed 5-10 days after surgery, but may be left on for 2 weeks or more. Some parts of the incision may heal faster than others, so the surgeon may remove some stitches and leave others a little longer.

The skin on the abdomen may lose sensitivity. This is a normal consequence of abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty involves separating the skin from tissues and redistributing it. This means that some nerves have been cut. The sensations usually return gradually over several months. Sometimes the first sensation in numb areas is itching or tingling. There is a possibility that the sensations in the skin will not fully return.

Bruising and swelling are normal after most surgeries. Gradually swelling and bruising disappear. To reduce swelling, the surgeon may recommend crus massage or physiotherapy. Manual massage is possible 3 weeks after the operation.

When a patient leaves the hospital or surgical center, they should receive a list of post-operative instructions and general recommendations for recovery from plastic surgery.

Recovery time after abdominoplasty varies from person to person. The patient may need up to 6 weeks for proper healing if they have had an extended tummy tuck and other surgeries. Another determining factor is the type of activity. If the patient does desk work, he is likely to be able to return to work earlier than the gym teacher or postman.

Medications during rehabilitation

Immediately after the procedure, edema develops in the operated area. The patient may experience throbbing pain. Painkillers will help stop the pain that is preventing healing.

It is important that the bowel remains able to move after an abdominoplasty, so surgeons recommend that patients take laxatives for the first week after surgery. Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juices to stay hydrated, at least 8 glasses a day, or even 16 after liposuction! This is a great help in maintaining regular soft stools.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to further reduce the risk of infection. If you are taking contraceptives, be aware that some antibiotics can interact with them.

Temperature must be measured regularly! An elevated temperature may indicate an infection.

Limitation of physical activity

Sleep should be in such a way that the head and shoulders are in an elevated position for 7-14 days. Two or three fluffy pillows can be used to support the head. Some pain medications can cause drowsiness. The body will waste energy on recovery, which can also cause drowsiness. Sleep is conducive to healing.

Additional pillows can be placed under the knees. This may help prevent some stretching of the new abdomen.

Depending on the extent of the surgery, minimization of physical activity may be required for 3 days to a week or more.

The patient will be asked to walk a little every day for the first week, increasing the amount of walking in subsequent weeks. Walking helps prevent blood clots and relieves swelling. By performing simple daily tasks, patients can further reduce their risk of developing blood clots. Of course, a patient who had surgery days ago should not lift a heavy bag of groceries, but getting up and going to the kitchen for a glass of water will be useful.

Resuming training is usually allowed by surgeons no earlier than 3 weeks or more after abdominoplasty, depending on the degree of surgery.

Scars after abdominoplasty

During recovery after any degree of abdominoplasty, it is very important to avoid placing any stress on the incisions, which can cause complications such as wound opening and infection.

Scars in the healing process go through a series of changes before they are completely healed, which can take several months. The scars will look ugly for about 3 months after the operation. They tend to be red, thick and raised. If the patient is cold, they turn gray-violet.

The period during which the scars smooth out and disappear can take up to one year.

Most doctors take great care in placing the incisions well below the bikini line so that they remain hidden even on the beach! But it is necessary to protect fresh scars after tummy tuck from exposure to the sun.

Silicone sheets can be used to help prevent keloids from forming. The silicone sheet is used only after the wounds have closed.

Water procedures after surgery

Patients are advised not to take a bath or use a hot tub, as sitting in stagnant water can cause incisions to become infected. While the incisions are healing, swimming should be avoided. Some surgeons allow patients to shower 2-3 days after surgery. At the same time, it is recommended not to remove compression underwear or take a shower under a light stream of water. Patients may feel dizzy or unsteady in their legs due to medication, so care must be taken when showering. Patients can ask someone to help them or just stay in the bathroom during the procedure.