What Happens During Abdominoplasty?
During surgery, your surgeon will make an incision across the bottom of your abdomen. They will remove excess skin from the area and tighten the muscles of your abdomen. You will be given some type of anesthesia so you do not feel anything.
What to Expect Immediately After
Immediately after abdominoplasty, you will stay overnight or for several days, depending on various factors. If your surgery was performed using a local anesthetic, you can go home the same day as your surgery. Either way, you must wear garments to keep the swelling down.
What to Expect in the Following Weeks
Several factors can impact your recovery time. These include how much skin was removed, what surgical techniques were used, your height and weight, and how well you follow after-care instructions following surgery. However, during the weeks following your surgery, there are a few things that you should expect.
One week after surgery, you will have drains in place that you need to look after. You will also see some swelling and may experience pain. Medications can be used to lessen the overall discomfort that you feel. You will also be given antibiotics to prevent infections.
Two weeks after surgery, you should be able to return to many of the activities you engaged in before surgery, including driving. You may be able to take a bath at this time.
Between two and four weeks after surgery, you may be able to return to work and resume all of your normal activities. This can include light exercise and going out shopping. You may also be able to remove the garments.
After around eight weeks, you may start to feel like yourself again.
Contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery to Schedule an Appointment
It is vital that you have a thorough understanding of what is required of you during and after the procedure to ensure your best chances of success. If you are interested in discussing whether abdominoplasty surgery is right for you, contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery at 636-896-0600 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment to discuss your options.