Abdominoplasty

After Surgery

After the surgery you may be swollen and in pain, which can be controlled by medication. Depending upon the type of surgery performed, you may be released within a few hours, or remain hospitalized for up to 3 days. Your doctor will give you instructions in your post-operative care.

Although you might not be able to stand up straight, you should start walking as soon as possible to reduce the risk of blood clots. Surface stitches will be removed within a week; deeper sutures protruding through the skin will be removed in 2 - 3 weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.

It may take weeks, even months, to fully recover from surgery. The better your physical condition is prior to surgery, the shorter the expected recovery time. Some people return to work within a couple of weeks; other people can take up to a month to recover enough to return to work.

A low-impact exercise program, such as yoga, will help you heal faster, reduce swelling, tone the muscles, and lower your chances of blood clots. Getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet will also help you to heal faster.

A word about scarring: your scars may appear to worsen during the first three to six months. This is normal, and will be only temporary. Expect it to take several months or up to a full year for the scars to flatten, and lighten in color. While scars will not be noticeable under clothing, even when wearing a bathing suit, they will always be visible on the skin.

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