Recovery time after an abdominoplasty
When can I get back to normal activities following any cosmetic procedure is a very standard question.
Of all the cosmetic procedures performed by a plastic surgeon an abdominoplasty can require the most recovery time.
In general there will be temporary suction drains in place as well as a pan pump. These are generally removed in 7 to 10 days. The pain from an abdominoplasty comes from the plication of the anterior rectus fascia.
This is the layer that gives support to the abdominal wall. Some patients have difficulty with turning, walking, bending and lifting for the first 5 to 10 days.
Every ones experience with an abdominoplasty will be different. I have had some patients that take no pain medications while others want medication for the first 4 – 6 weeks.
Pain and recovery generally follows a bell shaped curve and most patients will find themselves taking pain medication night and day for the first 2 – 3 days then maybe night only for the next 2 – 3 days.
If you have more of a desk type job you can expect to be back at work in 10 to 14 days, for a more manual labor type job you will need 4 – 6 weeks before you are back to normal activities. (Jeffrey Zwiren, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Abdominoplasty and back to work?
Returning to work after any operation involves discussion with your doctor about your work and exactly what is planned. A tummy tuck can be a simple mini procedure or it may be a 4 to 6 hour surgery involving skin, muscle repair, belly button relocation, local liposuction etc etc.
So lets assume you have a major full fledged surgery and that you do fairly heavy work. I think you need to plan 3 weeks off before you return. Sometime employers will allow you to return to light duty early (2 weeks). At 3 weeks your wounds are very strong and assuming a strong muscle repair was done I allow full and unrestricted activity at 3 weeks.
At three weeks things may hurt when you do them but you will not hurt yourself. Taking Advil helps but of course narcotics are not allowed at work. Talk to your doctor and see what is planned. Be sure and explain the exact nature of your work. (George Commons, MD, )
Recovery after tummy tuck
Most patients are back to work within 1-2 weeks after a tummy tuck. If your job requires strenous exertion, as you indicated, you would likely need closer to 4 weeks before returning to work. (Arnold S. Breitbart, MD, FACS, Long Island Plastic Surgeon)
Houston Abdominoplasty
My patients typically walk into the office after two days. We use exparel that gives 72 hours of comfort. It’s a local anesthetic. That said, return to work for a administrative person can be in as little as 7-10 days or in your case I’m guessing 4 weeks.
I’ve found that lower BMI patients rebound a bit faster and have fewer complications. I published a paper last year that also shows fewer complications when the procedure is performed completely as an outpatient. (Clayton L. Moliver, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Ask your doctor
You are paying your doctor to fully inform you and to operate on you. Ask your doctor not a bunch of stranger. No matter how good we are, we don’t know what your doctor has planned for you and what their post op orders and expectations are. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
One month for post op recovery is enough for getting a wonderful results for heavy workout.