A patient can return home following a tummy tuck procedure. Patients should wear an abdominal binder or garment for four to six weeks, which should be tight-fitting but not uncomfortably tight. The following day, Dr. Perez-Gurri will do a follow-up examination at home or in the hospital. It is recommended that patients use a recliner and prop pillows under the thighs and head to allow the body to bend at the waist and to keep tension off the suture line. Within 24 hours of a tummy tuck procedure, the patient should start walking short distances around their home.
Most tummy tuck patients return to work and can drive within two weeks. If the job requires strenuous physical activity, patients should wait three to four weeks. After six weeks, exercise can be resumed, and regular household chores can be performed after three weeks. Every patient will experience a different recovery process, and Dr. Perez-Gurri will provide you with specific instructions and timelines based on your individual needs.