Answer: Postop fatigue for number of days after abdominoplasty is common. After surgery the body investors energy in healing the operative site. Patients often feel listless and require excess sleep. Sleep is much as you wish but you should but periodically to exercise the extremities.
Answer: Tired after tummytuck
You will typically lose a little blood during the procedure which can tire you out a bit. It also takes a while to get over the effects of general anesthesia.
It's normal to feel tired while you are healing. It can take 5 to 6 weeks for your energy to return. You may not be able to stand up straight when you first come home, but this will improve. You'll need to get up and walk every day to regain your normal movement.
It takes six weeks for the body to heal from cosmetic surgery. Swelling may last several weeks, but most patients are fully recovered in three months or less. At this point, it's safe to begin exercising and resuming normal activities. We may make more specific recommendations based on your health and desired results.
Eat Foods High In Protein & Drink Plenty Of Water After A Tummy Tuck. Patients should pack lunches and snacks that are high in protein. High protein foods give enough energy to get through the day. Eating proper amounts of protein is also essential for the healing process.
Tiredness, exhaustion, or severe and prolonged fatigue are common after surgery – even minor surgery. This is, in part, due to the effects of anesthesia, which often wear off more slowly in older people.
Most patients return to work after a tummy tuck within 7-10 days and resume strenuous exercise in about 4-6 weeks. By 3 to 6 months post-op, most patients are enjoying their permanent results.
In the first week after tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella recommends patients take short walks of 10 minutes, gradually increasing this to one mile, twice daily by days 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Walking after tummy tuck surgery is important; each day following your procedure, you should walk a little bit longer and a bit farther, to increase your strength and facilitate healing.
Answer: Activity after a Tummy Tuck
This is common after surgery that goes well and has very little pain. Keeping patients from overdoing it can be a challenge. If you do too much too early you put yourself at risk for seromas, hematomas, or incision separation. Be careful and follow the instructions of your surgeon.
Fatigue is normal following surgery and it should improve day after day as your body begins to heal itself. In general, it takes one week per day in the hospital to feel back to normal.
It's not uncommon for people who have a tummy tuck to have a smaller appetite for the first three to six months following their surgery. The tightening of skin and muscles in your abdomen may cause your stomach to feel constricted, encouraging you to eat less.
Tissue damage.
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
You should be on a flexed position after a TT, if you are on a sit make sure your legs are elevated, but don't forget to get up and walk as much as you can.
One to Three Months After Surgery
Many will still experience swelling in the months following a tummy tuck. You may also feel a numbness, pulling sensation, or experience bruising in your abdomen area. The incision should be fully healed, but it's possible your remaining scar will still appear red and raised.
Sleep is very important
The importance of rest after surgery is stressed by doctors because your body is going to do a lot of healing while sleeping. After all, your body does the majority of its healing while you're asleep. It's important that you're able to take a nap whenever you need to.
Get Plenty of Rest. With any major surgery, it's important to stay in bed as much as possible for at least 24–48 hours after the procedure. Some surgeries may require even more patient bed rest. Sleep if you feel tired and be sure to move slower than your usual pace.
Uncomplicated major surgery is followed by a pronounced increased feeling of fatigue extending throughout the first month in about one-third of patients.
Tummy Tuck Recovery FAQs
In general, you need to keep a straight abdomen with slight bending while recovering after your tummy tuck. You should avoid bending over too much (e.g. to pick up your child) for the first 4-6 weeks after your abdominoplasty.
Surgery is an ordeal, so take it easy. Rest when you are tired, eat well and get as much gentle exercise (such as walking or swimming as directed by us or your physician) as possible. Physical activity helps combat fatigue. The latter is an essential part of successful postsurgical rehabilitation.
Rest—give your body time to heal.
After surgery, you may need to recover for two to three weeks or longer, depending on the procedure. Even if you start to feel better, don't jump back into your old activities at your former pace. Follow your healthcare team's advice for how long you need to take it easy.
Anesthetic drugs can stay in your system for up to 24 hours. If you've had sedation or regional or general anesthesia, you shouldn't return to work or drive until the drugs have left your body. After local anesthesia, you should be able to resume normal activities, as long as your healthcare provider says it's okay.