The main recovery time required after a tummy tuck procedure is because of the muscle fascia tightening.
The skin portion of the procedure is almost painless, due to the nerves being temporarily cut; however, the most dscomfort comes from the tight muscles.
Not including the skin or fat removal part of the procedure will not add too much to the recovery period. You need to have an incision to repair the diastasis recti.
Instead of a lower horizontal abdominal incision, general surgeons would prefer a vertical incision, or endoscopic approach.
An endoscopic hernia repair will repair the hernia, if there is one; however, this will not address the diastasis recti and the abdomen bulging.
I would not recommend creating a vertical scar, since the tummy tuck scar can be well hidden, and you will get more benefits of skin + fat removal, along with repair of the diastasis recti. (Adil Ceydeli, MD, Panama City Plastic Surgeon)
If you are going to have repair of your muscles (correction of rectus diastasis), you might as well have the excess skin removed. An endoscopic approach to repair muscles is an option, however, if you have excess skin, you will not be happy with the residual excess skin even after muscle repair.
In terms of recovery, having the excess skin removed should not change your recovery for a tummy tuck. You need to speak to your plastic surgeon for your postoperative care plan. Usually, after any tummy tuck procedure, most plastic surgeons will have you walking flexed at your waist for 5-7 days.
You should be able to walk straight within one week. But no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks post surgery. It sounds like, in your case, having a procedure where your muscles are tightened is like buying a car without an engine. (C. Bob Basu, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
The skin removal is not what causes the recovery in the tummy tuck, it just causes the scar. The recovery is totally from the muscle repair and it is longer the more laxity you have (like you describe about yourself). An endoscopic repair has NO ROLE for you as it will just wind up with a huge mound of skin in the central abdomen when the skin is dragged there by the muscle repair. If you have extreme muscle laxity, you have extra skin and this needs to be removed. Remember the recovery for a tummy tuck is longer no matter what you do if your muscles are really lax. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery Time for Tummy Tuck Varies
I do not think you will be happy following an endoscopic approach to repair a 3-4 inch diastasis recti condition but rather will need a more traditional tummy tuck. However, some tummy tucks are easier for the surgeon and patient’s recovery alike. You are right, the more you are in ideal shape and appropriate weight on average the better the result and faster the healing period and less involved the surgery. To make the initial few days easier, I would consider using Exparel, a long acting local anesthetic your surgeon can use which eliminates the need for a pain pump such as the On-Q device Many patients are able to return to work and daily activities within 2 weeks of surgery. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months.
Abdominoplasty recovery can be in some cases slow and uncomfortable requiring more time for a full recovery for a tummy tuck. Light activity is comfortable in 10-20 days. Sports will be more comfortable after 6 weeks. When Can You Pick up your Children following Tummy Tuck.? Strenuous activity and the lifting of more than twenty pounds must be avoided for the first 6 weeks and I think that would include carrying your children.
Many patients are able to return to work and daily activities within 2-3 weeks of surgery if there is no strenuous activities (for example lifting more than 20 pounds). Since you work from home and the fact that sitting is a good position to take pressure off of our scar you can work from home just as long as you are not taking narcotic pain medicines (or you will likely make mistakes.)
Remember that there is great variability of healing times between patients, which will be prolonged if there are any complications. Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take several months. Abdominoplasty recovery can be in some cases slow and uncomfortable requiring more time for a full recovery (Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
The endoscopic tummy tuck is a reasonable approach for an individual with minimal to no skin laxity and a pure rectus muscle diastasis. It is rarely indicated after pregnancy and more commonly used for congenital rectus muscle diastasis repairs. (Otto Joseph Placik, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
A full tiny tuck is what you need. I use pain pumps which minimize the pain from the muscle repair. Don’t sell yourself short. An endoscopic won’t give you the result you want if you have had kids. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery for a tummy tuck after rectus diastasis repair
The recovery will depend more on the rectus diastasis repair and less on the method of repair. More likely, the traditional (non-endoscopic) approach will give a better result as it allows for removal of loose skin. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Any muscle repair requires recovery time
Endoscopic repair is rare but good for minimal skin excess. Then the incision can be shorter but the recovery time is no shorter. Anytime the muscle is repaired it is best to wait 4-6 weeks before any serious exercise or the repair may be compromised. Typically 1-2 weeks initial downtime with any tummy tuck. (David J. Levens, MD, Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon)
Mini tummy tuck with disastasis repair would be best option.
The diastasis repair is the major factor in your recovery time. Whether it’s repaired open or endoscopically won’t matter in the recovery. This is like having a hernia repair and usually means no straining, or heavy lifting for about 4 weeks so the repair can heal properly. Having a small amount of skin excised in addition would not prolong this recovery and would give you the full benefit of the tummy tuck whether its a mini or a regular one. Check with your surgeon if they use a pain pump for the early post operative period to maximize your comfort. (Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD, Boston Plastic Surgeon)