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Many patients wish to undergo this surgery, because of its excellent results on the abdomen. However, you are worried about when you will be able to return to normal life after the surgery. Below, we explain the entire process of recovery of an abdominoplasty.
After two months, most patients lead almost normal lives. But the recovery time for abdominoplasty is variable. It depends on many factors, such as:
Achieving a proper recovery from abdominoplasty is possible if you know what to do at all times. It is necessary that you go to all the revisions that are indicated by your surgeon.
Supervision by a specialist is key to success. Before surgery, he or she will tell you how many weeks of sick leave you will need. After the operation, he/she will tell you which activities you can and cannot do.
Following your surgeon's instructions is essential to avoid complications. A very accelerated recovery can cause the wounds to open up.
On the contrary, a very slow recovery can facilitate fluid accumulation (seromas) and thrombi. Adequate follow-up prevents many problems.
During the first 3 months, the abdomen will be somewhat swollen. From the sixth-eighth month the swelling will have practically disappeared. The skin will adapt to its new contour, creating the result you expected.
The first weeks after surgery, the abdomen should be relaxed. This avoids complications and the scar recovers as it should. Therefore, for the first 3 weeks, we recommend walking with the waist slightly bent.
From approximately the fourth week you will be able to walk completely straight.
In the recovery of an abdominoplasty, the discomfort is usually moderate and lasts about a week.
To control the pain, we will prescribe several painkillers. As the days go by, you will need much less medication.
During the first months, it is normal to notice strange sensations or slight discomfort in the operated area, without this meaning anything dangerous.
Since the first week is the most painful, we provide you with technologies such as the pain pump. This is a device that you can carry at home for the first 5 days after surgery. This pump provides you with analgesic medication in your vein, greatly improving your well-being.
Abdominoplasty, in expert hands, produces spectacular results. The main advantage over other techniques is the disappearance of the hanging skin of the abdomen. Eliminating that sagging skin will give you greater mobility, less sweating and skin infections.
Correcting rectus diastasis will strengthen your abdominal wall, creating a slimmer waist, without bulging. You will gain strength and flexibility in the abdomen, as well as better posture.
The love handles located around the waist will also be reduced, especially if we combine the abdominoplasty with liposculpture. These fantastic benefits require a lot of patience on your part, since they are not fully appreciated until the 6th-8th month.
The first two weeks it is normal to observe bruises on the body. During the whole first month, the swelling in the abdomen is considerable. This swelling may make you doubt about the final result, but it is simply a normal phase of the postoperative period.
The scars can give problems during the first days and even open up (dehiscence). During the first months they may be raised or reddened. Rest assured, after a year they will look much better.
By knowing how long it takes to recover from a tummy tuck you will understand that it is a process that requires care and with the right attention will pass without problems.
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