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A 41-year-old member asked:

How long does it take for a tummy tuck to heal?

9 doctor answers16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Timothy King
22 years experience
A few weeks: The initial healing phase takes about 3 weeks. However, healing continues for several weeks after that and the scar will continue to mature for many months.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Michael Bermant
Plastic Surgery 45 years experience
Tummy Tuck Recovery: Healing and recovery after tummy tuck depends on the problem to be treated, surgical techniques, skill of surgeon & many other factors. http://plasticsurgery4u.com/tummy_tuck/bruising_swelling_recovery_gallery.htm is a photo gallery leading to many photos and videos demonstrating the typical healing for my tumescent tummy tuck. Watch how they move during recovery. Part 1 of 2.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Michael Bermant
Plastic Surgery 45 years experience
Tumescent Tummy Tuck: Part 2 of 2: here is an extraordinary series of photos and videos documenting the recovery healing of a belly dancer after tumescent tummy tuck showing progressing of her muscles healing: http://plasticsurgery4u.Com/tummy_tuck/video_bellydancer_tummytuck.Htm do not just stop on that page, check out the other pages showing amazing set of videos showing her progressing and experiences.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Eric Chang
Plastic Surgery 24 years experience
Depends: Typically 3 to 4 weeks but possibly sooner and possibly longer. Also, depends on what you mean by healing - most patients can return to a desk job after about 3 to 4 weeks. Scarring maturation takes much longer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. ELizabeth Kinsley
Plastic Surgery 36 years experience
2-8 weeks: 2 weeks for most to return to a desk job. 8 weeks to resume all strenuous activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. John Di Saia
Plastic Surgery 33 years experience
Tummy Tuck healing: A tummy tuck is not completely healed for a year after it is performed, but it feels pretty solid at 6-8 weeks. At that point most patients are back to most of their normal activities.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Otto Placik
Surgery - Plastics 36 years experience
2 wks to 3 months: While many patients can return to light duty activities within 2 weeks after surgery many patients will, take up to 3 months to fully resume all activities without restriction.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Tom Pousti
Specializes in Plastic Surgery
Depends...: The answer to your question depends on how you define “healing”. The incision line will continue to strengthen and improve in appearance over the course of the 1st year postoperatively. Likewise, the appearance of the abdominal wall generally improves over the course of the 1st year also. However, majority of healing/swelling resolution occurs within the 1st few months. Best wishes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Larry Nichter
Plastic Surgery 38 years experience
TT recovery: Abdominoplasty involves a recovery period of 10 to 14 days longer than most plastic surgical procedures. Initial discomfort and decreased mobility is typical.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A member asked:

How long does it take for recovery on a tummy tuck

6 doctor answers10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Stephen Metzinger
Plastic Surgery 40 years experience
Tummy Tuck Recovery: Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty recovery can vary based on the size of the incision, the type of muscle plication and the amount of liposuction done with the procedure. It takes one year to see the final result(complete healing). After about six weeks you are back to exercise assuming no adverse events or complications. Drains are out at 2 weeks post op and you can resume some activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:

How long does the tummy tuck take?

6 doctor answers11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Kuhn
A Verified Doctoranswered
39 years experience
2 hours: The tummy tuck takes about 2 hours. The actual name is called panniculectomy. Insurance usually covers this procedure when the following condition is met: chronic rash confirmed with photos and treated by antifungal by pcp for 3 months. Other symptoms which justify a medical reason to remove the pannus (the overhanging skin) might include lower back pain or abdominal wall hernia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:

How long does it take for your skin to feel normal after a tummy tuck?

6 doctor answers12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Timothy King
22 years experience
Usually 1 week: If by "normal" you mean not stretched out, then that feeling usually resolves in about 1 week. The entire healing process takes several weeks and the scar will continue to change for many months.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:

How long does a tummy tuck last?

8 doctor answers20 doctors weighed in
Dr. Timothy King
22 years experience
Depends: A tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal wall under the skin. If a patient does not get pregnant again or does not gain a lot of weight after the surgery, it should last many (20+) years.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

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What are the dangers/side effects of tummy tucks (witch hazel)?
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Do tummy tucks (witch hazel) hurt? Will they remove stretch marks?
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Last updated Mar 22, 2020

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