Tummy Tuck Recovery Time

Tummy tuck is a major body contouring cosmetic procedure that involves a considerable recovery component. A dedicated surgeon will explain all aspects of the procedures, including recovery, to the patient at the time of initial consultation. Prior to the surgery or after the surgery, they will also provide care instructions to the patient and their caregiver.

The patient should have the commitment to diligently follow the surgeon’s instructions for a safe and speedy recovery. Judicious cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides tummy tuck surgery and other procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities in this part of the country.

Estimated Downtime

Each patient will go through a few days of downtime following tummy tuck, which can usually range for one to two weeks, depending on the surgical technique used. If the tummy tuck procedure involves only skin and fat reduction, but not muscle tightening, the downtime may be around one week.

To prepare in advance for recovery, a patient should apply for leave from their workplace well ahead of the surgery. They will be required to stay at home for at least one week, but the surgeon will encourage them to take short walks and perform light activities at home. This will help to improve blood flow in the incision areas and promote healing.

Early Recovery Experience 

The patient will receive instructions for how to manage the temporary drainage tubes that may be placed after tummy tuck. The patient should empty the drain regularly as instructed and keep the area free of contamination. The surgeon may also provide a compression garment, which should be worn at all times during the early recovery phase to help achieve firmer skin.

In the first few days, most patients will experience mild swelling, bruising and soreness in the incision areas. The surgeon will prescribe pain medications to keep the patient comfortable. Heavy lifting of weights and vigorous activities and exercises should be avoided for the first three to four weeks.

Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery and other procedures.

Minimizing Scarring

Tummy tuck surgery will inevitable involve some amount of scarring, but it is possible to make the scars less visible by placing the incisions in discreet locations. The patient should avoid direct sun exposure in the incision sites during the recovery phase. As directed by the surgeon, they may also apply silicone cream, silicone sheets or petroleum jelly to mitigate the appearance of scar tissue.

Refraining from Smoking

For a few weeks before and after the tummy tuck surgery, the patient will be required to avoid smoking. During the recovery process, smoking can cause a delay in healing because it interferes with the blood flow. Risks such as scarring, infections and other complications are higher if smoking is continued during the recovery period.

Patients should recognize that recovery is a vital part of the overall tummy tuck procedure. Long term success and sustainability of outcomes will depend on how well the patient recovers and maintains a healthy and active lifestyle.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Tummy Tuck Candidates

Tummy tuck surgery ranks among the more popular body contouring cosmetic procedures in the US. Both women and men can get rid of sagging skin and excess fat in the midsection with the help of tummy tuck surgery. However, it is important to choose the most appropriate candidates who have not benefitted from diet or exercise to improve their abdominal contours.

Dr. Landon McLain is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon providing a variety of cutting edge cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. Dr. McLain will carefully determine a patient’s candidacy before recommending tummy tuck surgery.

He provides tummy tuck to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations in this part of the country.

Who can benefit from Abdominoplasty?

Any healthy adult who is bothered by the appearance of sagging or loose skin in the abdominal area, or have loose or separated underlying abdominal muscles following a weight loss, can benefit from tummy tuck procedure. After a pregnancy, many women have weak abdominal muscles and stretched tissue. A tummy tuck can help them regain their pre-pregnancy figure in the waist area.

Although tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, but it can enhance contours around the waist when diet and exercise have not successfully improved the shape and contours. If the individual has stubborn fat pockets in the tummy area, they may benefit more from a combination of liposuction and tummy tuck. The cosmetic surgeon will make the final decision about an individual’s candidacy for tummy tuck.

Attributes of a Candidate

People with the following attributes typically make suitable candidates for tummy tuck surgery:

• The candidate’s general health condition is good, and they do not have any specific medical condition that could pose risk during surgery or recovery
• They suffer from loose or sagging skin in the abdominal area
• They have presence of excess fat tissue in the midsection
• They have realistic expectations
• They are committed to following the pre- and post-surgical care instructions and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle in the long run

Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

What a Candidate should Do

Tummy tuck surgery candidates should:

• Stop smoking for a certain period of time before and after the surgery as advised by the surgeon
• Disclose all relevant medical information that will help the surgeon to plan the tummy tuck surgery
• Refrain from taking any type of prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins before and after the surgery without the surgeon’s knowledge
• Not have plans for a pregnancy in the near future
• Not have plans to undergo a major weight loss procedure
• Choose tummy tuck only when they are fully convinced, and not under pressure or influence of others

Heredity

Some candidates suffer from excess fat in the abdominal area due to heredity factors. These candidates may be suitable candidates for tummy tuck even in their 20s or 30s because of the genetic predisposition.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery

Abdominoplasty, popularly known as tummy tuck surgery, is an important body contouring cosmetic procedure. Recovery is a significant component in such major procedures, and patients should take it with all seriousness. The surgeon will provide post-operative care instructions, which will make it easier for the patient to recover in time and with minimum risk of complications.

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of recover and the expected downtime. Working people and busy moms are usually more concerned about the downtime involved because they want to resume their regular routine as early as possible.

Dr. Landon McLain is a dedicated cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck and various other procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities and cities in The Yellowhammer State.

Recovery at Home

Most patients can return home the same day after tummy tuck surgery. In the first week, they should stay confined to the home and take plenty of rest. Short walks and light activities during this period are encouraged to promote blood flow in the incision areas. Downtime in abdominoplasty can range from 10 to 14 days, but if muscle tightening is not involved, the patient may resume normal routine faster.

Working people should preferably apply for leave from the workplace well in advance so that they can have a stress-free recovery time at home. The patient should stay sufficiently hydrated and eat a balanced diet. Intake of lean proteins may be increased to support healing. Strenuous activities and exercises as well as heavy lifting of weights should be avoided during the early recovery phase.

Drains and Sutures

The surgeon will usually place temporary drainage tubes under the skin in the incision areas before the bandages are applied. The drains should be kept free from contamination. The patient should measure and empty the drain every day as instructed. If the surgeon has provided a compression garment, it should be worn at all times during the recovery phase.

If the surgeon has placed traditional sutures to close the incisions, these may be removed along with the drains in about a week to 10 days after the surgery. Thereafter, many patients are able to return to their workplace, but should go through another week of lighter physical activity at work. Judicious and focused on his craft Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Diminishing Scar Appearance

Prior to choosing a procedure such as tummy tuck, the patient should have a clear idea that some degree of scarring will occur. However, a skillful surgeon will be able to minimize the impact by placing the incisions in discreet sites. On their part, the patient should avoid sun exposure in the incision areas during recovery. Petroleum jelly, silicone sheets, or silicone cream may be used to improve scar tissue appearance.

During the recovery period, the patient should be committed to refraining from smoking. Smoking can delay the natural healing process and increase the risk of post-op complications. The surgeon will give clear instructions about avoiding smoking during recovery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.