Doing a tummy tuck soon - any advice?

[Nothankyov]

That’s it really. For those of have done one do you have any advice for me or any info on how you got on! I would love to know people’s experiences!

Get in some peppermint tea or cordial for the painful post op gas pains.

Oh - are they as bad as if you had a c section?

Bump

Yes they are. My friend had terrible post op gas pains and very bad bruising. You should get a post op care leaflet. Arnica cream helps with bruises.

I was very well medicated following my tummy tuck and can honestly say I didn’t really have any pain but I was uncomfortable and struggled with that

How long were you uncomfortable for? And did your scar heal well?

Not really fussed with bruises as I know they will fade - but I had quite a hard time with gas post c-section and worried about that. But my mom keeps saying that I will be well medicated - so I suppose that’s a plus.

Post c-section I took Wind-Ezr gel caps. They helped. Placebo effect maybe, but they did help. Ask if they would help you. Peppermint cordial does help: it’s the weird shoulder stabbing pains that got me.

mmhh - shoulder pain? Why would that be?

Also just read on another thread how they were left with new stretch marks scars after the tummy tuck and how bad the recovery was… 🥴. I keep going back and forwards on this. I have my second consultation in July and will then be booked in then. Don’t know…

gas - it can move around

It’s the best thing ever, you won’t regret it! Drink loads of water to keep your bowels moving. Good luck x

Referred pain. Gas can move about, or press on nerves so you can pain elsewhere. It doesn’t last long, just can be painful so prepare.

Be absolutely vigilant about monitoring and protecting the wound. Do not wear any kind of clothing that puts pressure on it/rubs it for at least the first 3-4 weeks. Stretchy soft natural fabrics (think cotton trousers with elastic waistbands, loose fitting dresses, and cotton knickers). Wear all your waistbands above the incision so there’s minimal chance of them rubbing and causing trauma to the incision.

Get some neutral unscented soap or shower gel for the first month too, don’t spray body sprays or anything like that either.

I would probably also get hold of some hibiscrub (chlorhexidine) and dilute it to to 1 in 10 with tepid water for cleaning around the wound.

Gas pain shouldn’t really be an issue as they aren’t opening your peritoneal cavity so won’t be touching your intestines at all. That said, you don’t want to be straining to poop post-op and depending on what analgesia you’re on have a low threshold for using laxatives to keep things moving with minimal effort!

Keep well hydrated and nourished to give your body the ingredients to heal. Follow all the care instructions you’re given post-op to the absolute letter esp regarding lifting etc.

Good luck!

@Nothankyov I'm on day 4 of my recovery, feel free to DM me with any questions! So far I’ve found the recovery is easier than the c section. For context, I walked the school run the morning after my surgery, which is a 2 mile round trip, I’ve been upright since the evening of my surgery, and my pain has been minimal. I had the tummy tuck with lipo to flanks, but no muscle repair.

I’ve been taking stool softeners since the day of surgery but still haven’t been yet 😬 but I’m not in discomfort (yet) and have been eating less and moving less than usual, so that’s perhaps why.

Like I say, happy to answer any questions you have about the short term recovery as I go along.

I am 14 days PO after FDL, muscle repair and lipo.
I have had excellent pain relief and this has helped my recovery. Codeine, paracetamol and liquid morphine.
also 14 days of heparin injections and 7 days of antibiotics.
Do drink plenty of water as this really helps with inflammation and wear compression socks for 2 weeks.
keep your compression garment (faja) on for 6 weeks. I wear mine 24 hours a day.
I had bed rest for the first 7 days. Getting up every hour for 10 mins.

I sleep propped up on pillows with 2 pillows under my knees.
if you are having drains consider buying a drain holder so you don’t need to carry it.

Thanks all! Really helpful stuff here!

@Nothankyov it really was the best thing I’ve ever done!! I absolutely adore my flat stomach. Good luck but any questions please feel
free to dm me x

I have a high pain threshold and will keep going through most things but I couldn’t move or even get out of bed for long for about three weeks after mine.

Do you need liposuction / are you having it at the same time?

Thank you I will.

Haven’t seen the surgeon in person (will do so in July) only had a zoom consultation so far - but I have one of those apps that measures my BMI, body fat and subcutaneous fat and I’m all in the healthy range. It’s really the fold over I don’t have crepe skin either. So hoping not.

From what I’m gathering it’s really different to everyone. I recovered very well physically from my c section even though it was very traumatic so hoping that is a good indication.

I was so shocked at how much trapped wind in a shoulder hurts, far more than my wound!

Me too. It hurts so much!