A Good Tummy Tuck Recovery Begins with Good Planning

Close up of a woman's bare abdomen.Recovering from any type of surgery can be a daunting prospect for many patients. Drs. Richard Bendor-Samuel and Louis Boileau and their team at The Landings Surgical Centre in Halifax, NS, can help you prepare for your tummy tuck procedure so you know what to expect before and after your surgery. Knowing how to prepare and following your at-home care instructions will help improve the speed and success of tummy tuck recovery and overall healing.

Planning Your Recovery

A good recovery begins with good planning. Before your scheduling a surgery, you will need to meet with one of our surgeons for an in-depth consultation. During this discussion, Drs. Bendor-Samuel and Boileau will want to know as much as they can about your medical history in order to minimize risks, prevent complications, and determine the ideal time for your surgery. Once they have established this information, they can begin to design a treatment plan and prepare you for what to expect in the weeks after your surgery.

Ensuring good health ahead of time is one of the most important steps in minimizing post-operative complications. Because fluctuations in weight can undermine your results, it is especially important for patients to reach a steady weight before their surgery. Furthermore, our doctors will ask that you abstain from cigarettes and nicotine as well as certain hormonal supplements or medications in the weeks leading up to your surgery and for 4 weeks after you surgery in order to reduce their effects on the healing process. 

Immediately After Your Surgery

In most cases, tummy tucks patients stay overnight at our lovely waterfront location in Halifax. We perform most tummy tucks under a general anesthetic and provide overnight accommodations at the Landings Surgical Centre. You will rest overnight under the care of a registered nurses who will ensure that you are comfortable during your stay. Before leaving our private surgical facility, our doctors will provide you with a compression garment to reduce swelling, pain medication to ease discomfort. Patients will also receive specific instructions on the best way to care for the incision sites. You will typically be asked to come back at one week after the surgery and then again one week later to monitor your recovery. Further scheduling will depend on how well you heal. Scheduled appointments are usually at six weeks, three to four months and one year postoperatively.

Recovering from a tummy tuck can be exhausting, but with thorough preparation, we can help minimize complications and maximize your results.

As with most surgeries, patients should expect some swelling in the first few weeks of recovery. If your procedure includes liposuction, bruising is fairly common, as well. However, if you notice a notable increase in pain, swelling, or redness, you should contact our office as soon as possible. 

How Long Will My Tummy Tuck Recovery Take?

The length of recovery varies from patient to patient, but depends heavily on the type of procedure and how closely patients follow their post-operative instructions. For example, because a mini tuck focuses on the area below your navel and requires only one set of incisions, patients can return to some activity within three to seven days.

For patients undergoing a standard or a more extensive tummy tuck, recovery is usually longer. Both of these more invasive options require the placement of drainage tubes and weeks of limited activity. While patients who work an office job can usually return after two to three weeks, those with more physically demanding jobs may need up to four to six weeks to recover fully. 

Learn How to Prepare for Your Procedure

Recovering from a tummy tuck can be exhausting, but with thorough preparation, we can help minimize complications and maximize your results. If you are interested in learning more about tummy tucks and the recovery process, contact our office online or call (866) 928-0023 to schedule a consultation.

Our office is designed to feel warm and welcoming

The Landings Surgical Centre

Our surgeons have the training and expertise to provide the beautiful results you deserve. Drs. Bendor-Samuel and Boileau are members of several esteemed organizations, such as:

  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Canadian Medical Association

Schedule a consultation online or call us at (902) 492-2007 to learn more. Our Halifax practice provides convenient care for patients from Prince Edward Island and nearby areas.

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"Our doctors and staff are professional, friendly, calm and courteous. They have an excellent rapport with each other and work very much as a team." Beth Macourt

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