Walking straight after tummy tuck

Walking and Recovery after Tummy Tuck is Variable

Every body responds differently, both in terms of pain and general recovery after Tummy Tuck.

We encourage walking after Tummy Tuck to prevent complications like pneumonia and blood clots.

Standing straight is guided by how your body feels: don’t “push” it. Sounds like you’re doing well! Be careful: Most complications come from doing too much too soon.

Let comfort be your guide and remember you just had a big operation. Closely follow the activity guidelines provided you by your surgeon. (Paul C. Zwiebel, MD, Denver Plastic Surgeon)

Walking straight after tummy tuck surgery

After a tummy tuck, most patients have to walk in a somewhat flexed position so that they do not put tension on the wound closure. This usually improves over a few days. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Glad to hear that you seem to be having such a quick recovery. As other surgeons have noted, patients heal at different rates. In my experience it is not unusual at all that you can walk upright this early.

Very hard for you to know about the muscle repair, but it would be difficult but not impossible to affect the muscle tightening with laughing. The proof will probably be your result down the line and if the muscles bulge or don’t. (Byron D. Poindexter, MD, Reston Plastic Surgeon)

Walking upright after tummy tuck

Walking straight after tummy tuck procedure

It sounds as if you are recovering very well from your tummy tuck. All patients heal at different paces and have different pain thresholds.

I would encourage you to not overdo it and continue with light activity until medically cleared. You do not want to risk a wound breakdown or loosening of your muscle repair from too much activity early in the recovery process. (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

I no longer ask patients to walk “hunched over” after their TTs as I did many years ago. As soon as you are comfortable walking erect, you should be able to do so. If you are off pain meds on your third day post-op, it sounds as if you are recovering very nicely. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)

Everyone’s recovery is different

Walking straight after tummy tuck photo

Every patient recovers from surgery differently. Some people have great pain tolerances and some do not. Some people need more done in the same “tummy tuck” and some need less done. Some people have had multiple other procedures which cause a more difficult procedure.

I have some ladies who recovery in a week and have had patients take 6 weeks. It is really very variable. Try not to laugh and cough as this can be problematic to your recovery and result. It sounds like you are lucky to recover quickly! Don’t overdo more than your surgeon has told you. (Evan Sorokin, MD, Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon)

Recovery after tummy tuck

Walking straight after tummy tuck operation

It may take about one full week after a tummy tuck before you are comfortable and able to walk completely upright. Each day you should try and stand slightly straighter than the day before, but don’t rush it. Your body will tell you how far you can go each day.

Being slightly bent at the waist will take some of the tension off of the abdominal repair you underwent with the tummy tuck. Please consult with your plastic surgeon for more specific details regarding your recovery. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)