Recovery After Tummy Tuck

• Dr. Yates will reach out via the Symplast app.  Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
• MEDICATIONS - follow the medication instructions.  Take the antibiotics until they are gone unless there is reason not to.   Neurontin (Gabapentin) is helpful for nerve pain but not absolutely necessary if you find it is too sedating.   Stool softeners should be taken if there are any concerns of constipation.   Treat constipation aggressively, even with suppositories if you haven't had a bowel movement within a couple of days of surgery.    Avoid narcotic pain medications as able preferring either Ibuprofen or Celebrex and Tylenol.   NO marijuana while on pain medications.
• ACTIVITY - Get up and walk but you will be slightly hunched over at the waist.  Gentle flexing around 15 - 20 degrees is sufficient
• You will gradually stand more upright over the first TWO weeks
• EXERCISE - No exercise at all for 3 weeks.   Low impact exercise such as walking and very light weight lifting is OK at THREE weeks.
• Full Exercise resumes at SIX weeks
• SLEEPING in a recliner is ideal, propped up with pillows under the head and knees is sufficient if a recliner is unavailable
• BLEEDING AND BRUISING - A small amount of incisional bleeding is normal
• Bruising and swelling are normal and will last for days to weeks
• DRAINS - If drains are used make sure you are stripping then and recording output. Drains typically stay in for about a week. They are ready to be removed with the drainage is less than 30 cc in a 24 hour period.
• GARMENT - Take the garment off to shower.   BE VERY CAREFUL when removing the garment as we have found this is a common time for patient to faint.   Get up slowly, with assistance and near a bed or a chair
• GARMENT - The first garment will be worn for THREE weeks.   At that time most patients find it comfortable to wear something like Spanx, Flexees, or other stage 2 garments.
• FOAM - We will often place foam beneath the garment on the lower belly.   This is an area that is prone to a greater degree of swelling and we have found foam helpful to limit this.   When used, foam should be worn for the first week and can be removed to shower
• SHOWER - You may shower 1-2 days after surgery.   Water directly over the incision and drains is fine
• SUTURES - All incisional sutures are internal and do not need to be removed
• TAPE or GLUE - The incision will be covered with incisional tape or adhesive glue.   Leave this undisturbed.   The tape will be removed at 3 weeks.
• LYMPHATIC MASSAGE - Lymphatic massage is helpful to control swelling and speed up recovery and is highly recommended.   In some cases it may even contribute a better final outcome.   This should be started within the first week and the first treatment can be as early as the day after surgery.   We keep a list of local massage therapists if you need help finding one
• Your next visit is at three weeks. In-person or via app.