A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure where excess fat and skin tissue are removed from the lower and middle abdomen. This type of plastic surgery is ideal for men and women who desire to have a flatter and firmer belly.
A tummy tuck is not recommended for individuals who want to lose weight but instead are already at or near their ideal weight. A person often chooses it after an immense amount of weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
A mini tummy tuck can dramatically tighten your waist muscles, narrow your waist, and drastically reduce the look of a protruding lower belly. The number-one question asked by a majority of patients who are seeking this treatment is, “Will my mini tummy tuck be painful?”
Will There Be Pain During the Mini Tummy Tuck?
At the start of a tummy tuck, either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia will be administered. Local anesthesia numbs the surgical area to any pain, and general anesthesia puts the patient under completely to avoid pain. This will mean that the surgical process itself will be completely painless
Will I Experience Pain During the Recovery Process?
Some degree of pain and discomfort is normal during healing after a mini tummy tuck. Dr. Martin will prescribe painkillers to patients in order to make the recovery process more comfortable and less painful. You must take these as prescribed and follow the rest and aftercare tips as advised.
Do not give in to the temptation to take over-the-counter pain medications. These may cause post-surgical complications. Always consult with Dr. Martin before taking any over-the-counter drugs.
The stomach walls are tightened during the surgery. As a result, after surgery, many patients report minimal discomfort around the incision area and in the center of the abdomen.
The extent of pain will also depend on the details of the mini tummy tuck. For instance, a drainage tube may be placed in the surgery area and left there for up to a week. The fluid coming out of the drainage tube will provide an indication about how you’re healing. You can expect some soreness around the drain site.
A majority of patients report intense discomfort on the day directly after the tummy tuck. A large percentage of this irritation and soreness will subside within the week after surgery.
To recover faster and minimize the pain and discomfort, Dr. Martin will recommend that you take a week off of work. This is an excellent chance to kick up your feet and catch with friends and perhaps watch some movies.
At the end of the first week, you will experience a noticeable decrease in discomfort around the surgery areas. The feeling of tightness will persist for a few more week; this is entirely normal.
When Can I Resume My Activities?
If you are an active individual, you may return to your physical fitness routine within six weeks. However, you must avoid severe physical strain such as lifting weights. Physical strain may cause shooting pains, which is a sign of your body telling you to take it easy for just a little while more.
Keep in mind that your abdomen contains core muscles used for almost every activity. While engaging in daily chores, you may feel some abdominal soreness. Rest assured, this is expected and completely normal. Your body will happily adjust to your smaller core area in just a few short weeks.
Set Up Your Consultation
For more information on mini tummy tuck recovery, contact our office and set up a consultation with Dr. Kurtis Martin, an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.
