Tummy tuck is an excellent procedure improve your abdominal contour. If you have a demanding job and any lifting in the early recovery can cause great discomfort and a prolonged recovery.
I would recommend one month off before you can get back to your typical duties. (Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery time for tummy tuck
My magic number for resuming strenuous activities for any procedure that I do is three weeks. I tell my patients that they can do routine things when they feel up to it but no heavy lifting or other strenuous activity for three weeks.
That protocol has worked for me for 24 years without any problems. (Edwin C. Pound, III, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy recovery
Several things to consider especially with your job. Most people are doing pretty well within2-3 weeks postoperative. However everybody’s recovery is a little different in terms of pain tolerance and energy level.
If you have a severe diastasis and need an aggressive fascia repair for both comfort and healing of the repair,strenuous lifting might take you a month or two in a worst case scenario. Also if you are on routine long flights you should talk to your doctors regarding DVT/PE prevention (Robert Savage, MD, Wellesley Plastic Surgeon)
Realistically 6 weeks.
You will hear similar responses from all of us, but realistically, assuming uncomplicated healing, it will take about three weeks to feel about 75% recovered, and another three weeks to get to about 95%, including the lifting of most or all post-operative restrictions and the ability to resume exercise, jogging, etc.
Because of the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) which exists with any lengthy surgery, we recommend avoiding any long flights or road trips about a week before your surgery, which could increase your risk, and staying very well hydrated right up to your surgery.
We also recommend attention to your bowel regimen to avoid postoperative constipation, which is common for many reasons including the use of narcotic analgesics and relative immobility for a few days after surgery.
You should have a responsible adult with you by your side for about a week after your surgery, and you should, of course, be in the hands of a board certified plastic surgeon with lots of experience with abdominopaslty and body contouring surgery, and preferably a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and/or American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). (Ram Kalus, MD, Mount Pleasant Plastic Surgeon)
Return to flight attendant duties after a tummy tuck
The issue for you will be fatigue as well as ability to lift 40 pounds. If you have long distance flights that include stop-overs, especially in foreign countries where you have to deal with customs and security, or cross-country flights with 3 hour time changes, plan on 6 weeks – you are likely to be too tired to do such flights before then. You can always go back to work earlier, if you recover faster. If you have short flights – especially short hop round-trip flights, 4 weeks should be fine.
Be sure to wear knee high compression hose and a compression garment or girdle at work – being on your feet all day will lead to lower body swelling for 3 months after a tummy tuck. (Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Time off after TT
In my patients and own experience, you will need at least 4 weeks before doing heavy lifting. (Laura Carmina Cardenas, MD, Mexico Plastic Surgeon)