A tummy tuck can be a life-changing procedure for many people. Whether you have loose skin that you cannot get rid of or you need a boost of self-confidence, a tummy tuck can help. However, this is not an easy procedure, and the recovery can be tough. The following are some things you can expect as you recover from your tummy tuck:

Phase One of Recovery

After you are discharged from the hospital, you will ride home. You need someone to drive you home and to be there to help you for a few days if possible. You will still have drainage tubes in place. You will be sore and your mobility will be limited. You will notice some tightness around your abdomen, and you may walk in a hunched position for a few days. Make sure to stay on top of your pain medication during this phase of recovery.

Phase Two of Recovery

After a couple of weeks, you will still be sore. You may want to have someone come to your home to help with some of your more strenuous household duties. You will need to still be off of work at this point. You should avoid any heavy lifting and physical exercise. At this point, you can probably begin to drive again and do some light housework or light physical activities, but take it slowly and stop if you begin to feel pain. You should notice your posture begin to straighten during this phase.

Phase Three of Recovery

Several weeks later, you will go to a follow-up appointment with your doctor to ensure everything is healing properly. At this point, you may be able to go back to work unless you have a very physically demanding job. You might notice you have some constipation. This is usually due to taking pain medication. To help this, drink a lot of water and take stool softeners.

Phase Four of Recovery

Several weeks after phase three, you should be feeling better. Your incision will still be healing at this point. Do not take a bath in a tub or go swimming until your doctor gives you the green light to do so. Your incision can get infected easily if it is not healing. You should be able to start exercising again at this point but start out slowly. You should discuss this with your doctor to ensure you are healing properly.