During your procedure, dressings and bandages might be applied to your stomach. You might also be wrapped in a compression garment or elastic bandages to reduce swelling in the abdomen after your surgery. Your medical team at Buckhead Plastic Surgery will send you home with detailed care instructions. It is important that you have someone to stay with you, especially your first night and day after surgery.
It is not uncommon for thin plastic tubes to be placed to drain excess liquid away from the areas where the incisions were made. These drains help to reduce swelling, and you will be sent home with specific instructions on how to care for them.
You will also likely wear an abdominal binding garment for 6 weeks after your surgery. This helps to offer additional support to the muscles as they heal as well as keeping swelling to a minimum. It’s recommended that you take it easy for at least 6 weeks after surgery to allow your muscles and tissues to heal correctly. It’s also recommended that you sleep at an incline for the first few days following your surgery. Also, you mustn’t drive for a few weeks while you heal.
The hardest part of recovering from a tummy tuck procedure for most of our patients is that they have a desire to do too much too soon. While some activity is good, and it’s recommended to move around lightly. It’s easy to overdo it and end up sore and overly tired. It takes a while for your muscles to heal fully.