Tummy tuck recovery

I'm considering getting a tummy tuck, but several friends have said that I'll spend 6 weeks hunched over and in a lot of pain. Is this true?  If so, is there anything I can do to help speed up the recovery time?

Thanks so much.
Carol

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Carol,

A tummy tuck is a relatively superficial operation involving skin excision and tightening of the rectus fascia (the tendinous layer over the abdominal muscles).  The actual rectus muscles are not touched.  It is a procedure I perform frequently.  

I find the the use of a girdle placed immediately after the procedure as well as appropriate pain medication if sufficient to make most patients very comfortable after this surgery.  Most of the patients I treat have suprisingly little discomfort after the surgery and within one week after the procedure (when the drain is removed) are virtually pain free and stand upright.

Howard L. Rosenberg, M.D.

[Carol A]

Thank you SO much!!  This is amazing - I was too embarrassed to ask my doctor about this in person. I guess I didn't want him to think I'm a woos. You will never know how much this has helped!!

THANK YOU!

[grillita]

I'm 41 years old and I had twins 13 yrs. ago, i want a tummy tuck, I want to know what the risks are and the recoverty period I really want to do this in order to be happt with the way i look again.

any Info. will be greatly apreciated.

[bfc]

I had a tummy tuck.  I won't lie.  It was painful recovery!  The percoset I was given made me nauseous and tired and I rented a hospital bed for the recovery as laying flat was not possible for the first little while.  My surgeon told me that my abdominal muscles had been pulled off the abdominal wall and that he had to sew them back into place so perhaps my recovery was a little rougher than some but still........ if you REALLY feel you need to have this done, it's worth it! I don't regret it!  (just wish he'd done lypo on my hips while he was at it!)