subject: What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like? [print this page] Having a tummy tuck may be your dreamHaving a tummy tuck may be your dream. If you want to get rid of that extra fatty tissue that does not seem to go away no matter how much your diet or exercise, this may be the procedure for you. Your doctor can provide specific information about what this procedure will include and what you can expect as a realistic outcome. However, what many people fail to do is to talk to their doctor about the recovery period. This is the period of time immediately following your procedure and over the next few weeks. What will it be like?
What to Expect
Every person's reactions and outcome from the tummy tuck procedure will be different. However, many people will have significant success with this type of procedure. They will have the ability to ask as many questions as they would like with their doctor prior to having the procedure, too. You should know exactly what to expect. However, there are some things to keep in mind heading into this procedure.
Most often, you will have bandages on the area after your procedure. You may or may not need to change these. Do so as your doctor recommends. You may also have to wear an elastic bandage or a compression garment around your midsection for a few days. This reduces swelling and aids in healing.
You may have drains. These drains are small tubes that exit from the body and drain into a little collection bulb. This helps to encourage fluids to drain from the incision area and thus speeds up recovery.
Your doctor will tell you how to care for the area specifically. This will include what medications, if any, to apply to the area, how to clean the site and how to handle any signs of infection you may notice.
You will need to spend up to a week or longer relaxing and minimizing the amount of strain on this area of your body. The extensiveness of your procedure will determine how long you must remain in the hospital and how the procedure will heal. Do not push yourself.
You will want to discuss with your doctor the need for additional treatments including the removal of stitches.
Your doctor will tell you what to expect from the tummy tuck after the procedure is over. However, it is up to you to follow your doctor's advice. Doing so will help to speed up your recovery and keep any complications to a minimum. This procedure can be very invasive and as such, there are risks to it. The best way to avoid them is to follow your doctor's recommendations.
