For many, the appearance of your stomach can cause severe insecurity and loss of self-confidence, impacting the kind of clothes you wear or activities you’re willing to take part in. While for some, a tummy tuck is an ideal weight-loss treatment, for others it can be a treatment to target loose or sagging skin following pregnancy or weight loss.
Whatever the reason, if you’re researching tummy tuck treatment (also known as abdominoplasty), you’ll likely have some questions regarding the treatment itself, recovery, and managing pain. All of these are normal and it’s important any queries or concerns you have proceeding treatment are answered so you can feel confident abdominoplasty is right for you.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is a surgical treatment that involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightening the abdominal wall to help patients achieve a slimmer, more contoured torso. This treatment is suitable for both men and women of all ages, though depending on the circumstances of your case, there may be alternative treatments (like liposuction) that may be more appropriate for achieving your desired results. Since every case is different, we’ll conduct a thorough review of your circumstances in your initial consultation, where our expert abdominoplasty surgeon, Mr James Murphy, will get to know your, your insecurities, and your priorities to determine which approach is right for you.
If abdominoplasty is right for you, you will have two options: a full abdominoplasty or partial abdominoplasty.
During both treatments, you will be under general anaesthetic and an incision will be made between the hip bones. We will then carefully separate the skin from the abdominal wall to reveal your abdominal muscles before tightening the muscles by pulling them closer together and stitching them into their new position. Any excess skin and fat will be removed and we’ll pull the skin down and stitch it into place.
Tummy tuck recovery time
Following treatment, you will require 1-2 nights’ stay in our state-of-the-art facility at Spire Manchester Hospital where you will be looked after by our aftercare team. You will require someone to collect you from the hospital and complete recovery will take a couple of weeks for most patients, though you may need up to a month to rest and recuperate fully depending on your healing.
For a few days post-treatment, your abdomen will appear swollen and you may not feel able to stand straight. Nevertheless, you must start walking as soon as possible since this will reduce the risk of blood clots post-treatment.
To help you heal properly, you will be required to wear a support garment for 2-3 weeks and before you’re discharged from our care, we’ll give you all the necessary knowledge and advice to ensure you’re taking care of yourself and maximising your chances of healing quickly. You’ll be advised on showering, changing your dressings hygienically, and how to check for infection around your healing scars.
Most patients find they can return to work after a couple of weeks of rest and recovery, though this can vary and it will be several weeks before you can drive or begin exercising. Once you’re fully recovered post-treatment, a healthy lifestyle involving a balanced diet and regular exercise will help you achieve long-lasting results from both a full and partial abdominoplasty.
Managing pain after a tummy tuck
Typically, patients will experience pain and discomfort in the abdomen for the first few days post-treatment. This is completely normal, but to help you manage this, we will prescribe the necessary pain relief before you leave our care and provide detailed instructions to help you take this properly.
It’s also common to experience pain when coughing or taking deep breaths for a couple of weeks after your tummy tuck since these actions naturally tighten the abdominal muscles and can make you feel sore.
The support garment we provide to you to wear for a few weeks following your abdominoplasty will help to ease pain by providing support to the abdomen and reducing swelling. Though you will find all your pain eventually subsides until you’re comfortable living life normally and can return to all your typical activities.
Considering abdominoplasty?
If you’re considering abdominoplasty to remove excess skin or support you on your weight loss journey, book your consultation now using the form below. Your initial consultation is the perfect place to get more information about the treatment, recovery, pain management, risks, and any other questions you may have to help you start your tummy tuck journey worry-free.
