Planning ahead is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth recovery after plastic surgery. Whether you’re just starting your research or you’ve already scheduled your procedure, these 5 tummy tuck recovery tips will help you prepare for the journey ahead.
At Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, we combine expert surgical technique with a specialized Rapid Recovery Program to make healing as efficient and comfortable as possible.
1. Follow Your Pre-Op Instructions Carefully
The best recovery begins before surgery. Dr. Parker and our nurse educators will guide you through a detailed one-hour-long, personalized Pre-Op Education Meeting 1 to 2 weeks before your tummy tuck. This covers everything from what to bring on surgery day to what medications to take and to avoid, as well as what the details of recovery should be like. Be sure to:
- Stop smoking (if applicable) well in advance
- Prep your home with healthy food and recovery supplies
- Arrange for help with childcare, errands, and lifting duties
2. Set Up a Comfortable Recovery Area
Before your procedure, create a dedicated space where you can rest comfortably with everything within reach. Stock it with:
- Loose, easy-to-remove clothing
- Gauze, wipes, and compression garments
- Entertainment (books, movies, podcasts)
- Medications and plenty of water
Pro tip: Keep your phone charger, snacks, and pillows close by!
3. Move—But Don’t Overdo It
Light walking helps prevent blood clots and boosts circulation, so we encourage you to get up and move gently within 24 hours. But don’t rush back to your regular routine too quickly. With Dr. Parker’s Rapid Recovery protocol, most patients can:
- Return to desk jobs in 1 to 2 weeks
- Resume light exercise in 2 to 3 weeks
- Begin regular workouts in about 4 weeks
Following these recovery stages is key to long-lasting tummy tuck results.
4. Embrace the Rapid Recovery Program
Our Rapid Recovery approach includes:
- Medications given before, during, and after surgery to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain
- Exparel® or similar injections into the areas of muscle tightening during surgery for long-lasting pain relief
- Anti-nausea medications for early mobility
- Three postoperative manual lymphatic drainage massages by specially trained Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapists at the Parker Center Med Spa to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain
- State-of-the-art silicone-based scar creams for improved healing
This program reduces pain, shortens recovery time, and improves your overall experience. It’s one of the reasons our patients often return to daily life faster and more comfortably than expected or seen elsewhere.
5. Trust the Process
You may feel impatient as swelling subsides and your results evolve, but your final outcome will be well worth the wait. Stick to your care instructions, stay hydrated, and resist the urge to do “too much, too soon.” Consistency and rest are vital to your recovery and results.
For those concerned about noticeable scarring after a tummy tuck, our scar care protocols start early with proactive planning (such as drawing the incision line beneath one of your own low-rise bottoms) and continue with meticulous, multi-layer incision suturing by Dr. Parker during your procedure and scar creams postoperatively. Dr. Parker will monitor your healing carefully after surgery to be sure your scars continue to fade and mature as time passes.
Due to Dr. Parker’s attention to detail in incision design and location, careful wound closure, and postoperative regimens to optimize healing, your scars should heal as inconspicuously as possible. Other physicians, such as gynecologists, who see Dr. Parker’s patients after surgery frequently comment that they have never seen such beautiful, well-concealed, and barely noticeable incisions.
Personalized Support for Every Step
When you choose Parker Center, you’re never navigating the tummy recovery process alone. From the moment you schedule your consultation to your last follow-up, we’re here to ensure your comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Start your journey today by requesting a consultation or call our office at (201) 967-1212.
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