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Abdominoplasty (Full Tummy Tuck) Aftercare

Recovery guidelines for full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and achieve optimal results. This is major surgery with a significant recovery period.

Typical Recovery Time: 6 months for full recovery, 2–3 weeks off work

When to get help — your traffic light guide

Green

Tell us at your next appointment:

Anything else that is niggling or worrying you — no concern is too small. Mention it at your next appointment, or call us during office hours.

Reviewed 4 July 2026 · v1.0

Your information leaflets

Related Information Leaflets

These are separate information leaflets about the procedure itself — not the aftercare instructions below.

How to Use This Information

The advice below is based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written abdominoplasty aftercare information. It is general guidance for the average patient and may be adapted by your consultant for your individual circumstances.

Full tummy tuck is major surgery with a significant recovery period. The first 2 weeks are the hardest - it gets much easier after that. Be patient with your body and don't hesitate to contact us with concerns.

Always follow the specific instructions given to you on the day of your surgery. If there is ever a difference between this guide and your consultant's instructions, follow your consultant's written or verbal instructions and contact us for clarification.

Recovery at a Glance

  • Days 1–3: Significant pain, very bent posture — Rest, strong painkillers, gentle walking
  • Days 4–7: Still bent, improving slowly — Continue compression stockings
  • Week 1 (End): Nurse appointment scheduled — Outer dressings removed
  • Week 2: Less bent, still swollen — Remove paper tape, light activities
  • Weeks 3–4: Walking more upright — Start scar care if wounds dry
  • Week 6: Nearly normal posture — Can start gentle exercise
  • 3 months: Most swelling gone — Resume normal activities
  • 6 months: Final result — Full recovery

Before You Leave the Hospital

  • Painkillers: Make sure you have your painkillers before you leave — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you.
  • Compression Stockings: Fitted before discharge. These are essential for preventing blood clots — wear them day and night until you are fully mobile, for most people around 3 weeks.
  • Follow-up appointments: You will be given a card with details of your first nurse appointment (usually end of week 1) and contact details if you have concerns once you get home.
  • Getting home safely: You must have someone to take you home and a responsible adult with you for the first night.

Understanding Your Full Tummy Tuck

During your procedure, we performed:

  • Excess skin from above and below belly button removed
  • Abdominal muscles tightened (if separated)
  • Belly button repositioned
  • Liposuction to flanks if needed
  • Hip-to-hip scar plus scar around belly button
  • This is more extensive than a mini tummy tuck and recovery takes longer.

Your Painkillers

Every medicine you go home with is clearly labelled with its dose and how often to take it, and your nurse will go through your painkillers with you before you leave.

Take them as directed on the label. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together. If your pain isn't controlled despite taking your painkillers as directed, contact us.

Compression Stockings and Garments

Compression Stockings (REQUIRED)

  • Wear day and night until you are fully mobile — for most people around 3 weeks
  • They matter most while you are less mobile than usual
  • Prevents blood clots
  • Fine to remove for washing
  • Compression Garments (OPTIONAL)
  • Not required - no proven benefit and may increase DVT risk if too tight.
  • If you choose to wear one, it must not be tight or restrictive and should feel comfortable. Stop if causing discomfort.
  • Your compression garment should have:
  • High waist support
  • Adjustable closures (hooks or velcro)
  • Breathable fabric
  • Comfortable fit (firm but not painful)
  • Available online from Lipoelastic or Macom (use code QUABA for discount), or department stores like M&S, Tesco, Asda.

Belly Button Care

Your belly button has been repositioned and needs special care throughout your recovery.

Daily Routine

  • Clean with cotton bud
  • Use warm soapy water
  • Remove any crusting gently
  • Pat dry thoroughly
  • Check for signs of infection
  • Watch For
  • Redness spreading
  • Smelly discharge
  • Increasing pain

Scar Care

Your Scars

  • Hip-to-hip horizontal scar
  • Circular scar around belly button
  • Usually hidden by underwear
  • When to Start (Week 5): Only start scar care when wounds are completely healed.
  • Scar Care Routine
  • Step 1: Apply Micropore Tape — Use 3M micropore tape from pharmacy; Leave on 3–5 days; Can shower with it on
  • Step 2: Remove and Moisturise — Use plain moisturiser (E45, Aveeno, Bio-Oil); Leave exposed 1–2 days
  • Step 3: Repeat Cycle — Continue for 4+ months. Stop tape if irritation occurs.
  • Scar Timeline
  • 3 months: Scars still pink/red
  • 6 months: Significant fading
  • 12 months: Final appearance

Activity Resume Timeline

  • Showering: Day 1 — Pat dry carefully
  • Driving: Weeks 2–3 — When comfortable with emergency stop
  • Office work: Weeks 2–3 — When can sit comfortably
  • Physical work: Weeks 3–4 — No heavy lifting
  • Walking exercise: Week 2 — Build very gradually
  • Light exercise: Week 6 — Start gently
  • Running/cycling: Week 6 — If muscles not tightened
  • Swimming: Once wounds are fully healed — usually around 6 weeks
  • Heavy lifting (over 10kg): 3 months — 6 months if muscles tightened
  • Sit-ups/abs exercises: 6 months — Especially if muscles tightened
  • Flying (short): 2 weeks — Under 3 hours
  • Flying (long-haul): About 4 weeks — UK guidance after surgery; keep hydrated, move regularly, wear flight socks. Flying sooner? Discuss it with us first

Lifestyle Guidelines

✓ DO

  • Walk regularly but stay bent initially
  • Wear compression stockings until you are fully mobile (for most people around 3 weeks)
  • Many patients find sleeping propped up on a couple of pillows (or in a recliner) most comfortable at first
  • Keep belly button clean daily
  • Eat high-fibre foods
  • Take laxatives preventatively
  • Be patient - recovery is slow
  • Listen to your body
  • ✗ AVOID
  • Smoking or vaping nicotine for at least 4 weeks
  • Alcohol for 3 weeks
  • Heavy lifting for 3 months
  • Forcing upright posture early
  • Straining when using toilet
  • Sit-ups for 6 months
  • Swimming until wounds are fully healed (usually around 6 weeks)

Understanding Your Results

Swelling Timeline

  • Weeks 1–2: Maximum swelling
  • Month 1: 50% reduced
  • Month 3: 80% reduced
  • Month 6: Final result
  • Normal Experiences
  • Tummy feels hard and swollen
  • Worse swelling in evenings
  • Morning appearance most accurate
  • Numbness from belly button to scar
  • "Pins and needles" as nerves heal
  • Shooting pains (nerves reconnecting)

Exercise Recovery

If Muscles NOT Tightened

  • Week 6: Walking, light cardio
  • Week 8: Gentle gym work
  • Month 3: Full activities
  • If Muscles WERE Tightened
  • Week 6: Walking only
  • Month 3: Light exercise
  • Month 6: Full activities including abs

Recovery Timeline

What's Normal

  • •Significant pain and tightness
  • •Very bent when walking (like sitting in invisible chair)
  • •Extensive swelling
  • •Bruising, especially at sides
  • •Blood spots on dressings
  • •Difficulty getting in/out of bed
  • •Mood changes

Your Care Routine

  • •Take strong painkillers regularly
  • •Wear your compression stockings day and night
  • •Walk bent over - don't force straight posture
  • •Walk around home every 2–3 hours
  • •Many patients find sleeping propped up on a couple of pillows (or in a recliner) most comfortable at first
  • •Shower carefully (OK if outer dressings get wet)
  • •Get out of bed: roll onto side, use arms to push up, swing legs down, stand slowly while staying bent

Pain Management

  • •Take painkillers on schedule (don't wait for pain)
  • •Use cold packs on abdomen (over garment) for first 48 hours
  • •Report uncontrolled pain immediately

Follow-Up Appointments

Week 1 (Days 7–10)

First post-operative nurse appointment to check healing and wound progress.

  • Outer dressings removed
  • Wounds checked
  • Paper tape (steri-strips) or glue tape left on
  • Belly button stitches removed
  • Questions answered

Further nurse reviews — as needed

Some patients need further nurse reviews. If so, the nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.

Around 6 months — surgeon review (final follow-up)

Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.

Note: Your appointment schedule may vary. Always follow the specific dates and times given in your appointment card. Contact us if you need to reschedule.

Source: hospital aftercare leaflet · Last reviewed: 4 July 2026 · Version 1.0

Your emotional recovery

How you feel matters too

An emotional dip in the first weeks after surgery is common and usually passes. We've written honestly about what to expect, what helps, and where to find support.

How you might feel after surgery →

Post-Operative Checklist

  • Make sure you have your painkillers — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you
  • Compression stockings fitted
  • Follow-up nurse appointment booked (end of week 1)
  • Transport home arranged
  • Responsible adult staying with you first night
  • Emergency contact numbers saved in phone
  • Understand wound care instructions
  • Belly button care explained

Wound Care Instructions

  • Keep incisions dry until drains are removed
  • Empty drain bulbs 2-3 times daily and record output
  • After drains removed, gently clean incisions with mild soap and water
  • Keep belly button clean daily with cotton bud
  • Apply recommended scar cream or silicone strips after wounds dry (week 5+)
  • Watch for signs of infection around incision sites
  • No baths, swimming, or hot tubs until wounds fully healed (approximately 6 weeks)

Pain Management

  • Take your painkillers as directed on their labels — every medicine you go home with is labelled with its dose and frequency, and your nurse will go through them with you before you leave. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together
  • Take prescribed pain medication as directed - don't wait for pain to become severe
  • Significant discomfort is expected for first week, especially when moving
  • Dihydrocodeine is essential in the first week, especially if muscles were tightened
  • Use cold packs on abdomen (over garment) for first 48 hours
  • Walking short distances helps reduce pain and prevents blood clots
  • Tightness and pulling sensations are normal
  • Pain improves significantly after first week

Activity Restrictions

  • Avoid heavy lifting for the first 6 weeks, then build up gradually — take it more slowly (up to about 3 months) if your muscles were tightened
  • No driving for 2–3 weeks (until off pain medication and can move comfortably)
  • Light walking is encouraged from day 1 to prevent blood clots
  • Avoid bending, stretching, or straining for 4–6 weeks
  • Return to work: 2–3 weeks for desk jobs, 6–8 weeks for physical work
  • No exercise except gentle walking for 6 weeks
  • No sit-ups or direct abdominal exercise for 6 weeks; if your muscles were tightened (plication), build core work back gradually from about 3 months — your surgeon will guide you at follow-up
  • Gradually resume normal activities after 6 weeks with surgeon approval

FAQs

Why am I so bent over?

The skin has been pulled tight. Standing straight too early can damage the repair. Your body naturally protects itself by keeping you bent. Without muscle tightening: 2–3 weeks. With muscle tightening: 3–4 weeks or longer.

When will I stand normally?

Most patients stand straighter by weeks 2–3 if muscles weren't tightened. If muscles were tightened (plication), it may take 3–4 weeks or longer. Don't force it - let your body guide the process.

Why does my tummy feel so hard?

Swelling creates firmness in the abdomen. This is completely normal and will soften gradually over 3–6 months as the swelling reduces.

Is the numbness permanent?

No, numbness is temporary. It takes 6–12 months for full sensation to return. Some areas may always feel slightly different, which is normal.

When can I sleep on my stomach?

Whenever it's comfortable — there's no strict rule. After a tummy tuck that's usually a few weeks away simply because of the tightness. Many patients find sleeping propped up on a couple of pillows most comfortable at first.

Why is my swelling worse at night?

Fluid accumulates during the day. Morning appearance shows your true progress. This is completely normal.

Can I wear normal clothes?

Wear loose clothing for 3–4 weeks. You can transition to normal clothes as swelling reduces.

Can I have lymphatic massage?

Yes, we have no objections if you wish to arrange this yourself. Many patients find it helpful for reducing swelling after tummy tuck. Wait until after your first nurse appointment (week 1) and ensure your therapist is qualified and experienced with post-surgical massage.

Download Guide

Download Abdominoplasty PDF

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Need Help?

0131 376 3785hello@waterfronthospital.co.uk