The reason why you can't sleep on your side after a tummy tuck is that it creates too much tension in the surgical area and can be painful. Sleeping on your side after 3 or 5 weeks after the tummy tuck is even better. In addition to sleeping in the right position, it is also important to ensure a comfortable recovery.
Surgeons often recommend sleeping on your back while recovering from a tummy tuck, but you may be able to sleep on your side a few weeks after surgery.
Depending on the nature and extent of your procedure, you may need to continue sleeping on your back at a bent angle for about 3 – 6 weeks or longer. In some cases, patients who undergo a mini tummy tuck or less extensive procedure may be able to return to stomach-sleeping earlier.
How long do I need to wear compression garments following Tummy Tuck? Following a Tummy tuck surgery for your abdomen, you will be advised to wear compression garments for 6-8 weeks after the surgery.
Plastic surgeons recommend wearing a compression garment day and night except when bathing for the first 2 weeks after surgery. This period might vary depending on the procedure and extent of your surgery. After 3-6 weeks, you might be instructed to switch to wearing it for half the day.
During tummy tuck recovery, patients should plan to sleep on their back with their upper body slightly elevated. Just like walking at a slight bend, this modified sleeping position minimizes tension on the tummy tuck incision, reduces discomfort, and encourages proper healing and attractive results.
There are several treatments that can help ease abdominal tightness after tummy tuck surgery. This generally involves at-home care, like dry brushing and massaging. Both of these methods help increase blood circulation and prompts lymph drainage for natural detoxification.
Tissue damage.
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
We suggest scar massage many times throughout the day for 5-10 minutes each session. It is important to strictly follow your post-operative tummy tuck instructions. We encourage you to walk around immediately in the post- operative period.
This is a significant change in the muscle structure of the abdominal area. The body requires six to eight weeks to adapt, heal, and set the changes in a permanent, stable fixture.
Avoid abdominal exercises and strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 6 to 8 weeks. For 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain.
In the first week after tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella recommends patients take short walks of 10 minutes, gradually increasing this to one mile, twice daily by days 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Answer: Activity after a Tummy Tuck
Keeping patients from overdoing it can be a challenge. If you do too much too early you put yourself at risk for seromas, hematomas, or incision separation. Be careful and follow the instructions of your surgeon.
Answer: Tummy tuck muscle repair.
When the muscle repair comes "undone" it usually manifests as a bulge above the belly button. This can be accentuated by lying flat then lifting both your head and feet off the floor.
Answer: Pooch after tummy tuck
Fullness in the lower abdomen can be related to the intra-abdominal organs. This may be related to bloating of the bowels for example and not be related to swelling of the skin or tissues. Again, give it some more time and speak with your surgeon about your concerns.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
Because the fat layer is not addressed, some patients can end up having a boxy look after the tummy tuck. This means that the tummy is flat and firm, but they don't have any curves, and they look more or less like a box.
Answer: Why is Waist Bigger After Tummy Tuck
If it is soon after your surgery, this could be due to swelling. If it is more than 6 weeks after surgery, it is possible that you have gained weight.
A common sign of an undesirable tummy tuck is poor repositioning of the belly button. If you see that your navel is too high or too low, it might be that it's been misshapen, while pulling and tightening of the skin has distorted the original shape and position.
You CAN pull out the internal sutures. When we stitch you closed, your body needs to scar it into place to reinforce it. For this reason after a tummy tuck we don't let you do any exercise, heavy lifting, or straining for weeks.
No it is not common or easy to “rupture the internal sutures used in a tummy tuck”. This would require a lot of force/pressure. It can be seen however with severe coughing, straining, or lifting after surgery.
Eating Healthy After a Tummy Tuck
Start with clear liquids, then soft foods that are easy to digest. Anything packed with protein but low in sugar and carbohydrates is a good option. A protein shake is a great choice. Pack on the Protein: Protein aids in muscle, tissue, and skin repairs.
Adding fiber-rich foods to your post-tummy tuck diet is also recommended. Fiber helps minimize the risk of constipation, which can be an aftereffect of pain medication. Consider having some of these high-fiber foods: Whole grains such as cereals and brown or wild rice are good for digestion and can make you feel full.
Tummy tuck patients should strive to take in 60 grams of protein each day. Foods high in protein include poultry, fish, meat, nuts, yogurt, soy, dairy, eggs.