How to Recover from a Tummy Tuck

My why? This is my tummy tuck guide for mothers and women. I wanted a tummy tuck for many years. I used to believe having the tummy tuck was out of reach because I knew it was pricey, and I did not have the resources to fund this operation. I am 42 now, but a decade ago, I had the idea of getting a tummy tuck; it was on my wish list. No matter how much weight I had lost, I had sagging skin. I had four kids and, in my case, had diastasis recti abdominis. Diastasis recti abdominis is when the growing uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen during pregnancy. This can cause the two large parallel bands of muscles that meet in the middle of the stomach (rectus muscles) to separate by an abnormal distance.

I had the opportunity to have this procedure at no cost through a research facility researching FDA-approved drugs for pain management. Before you go off the hinges, I did not jump at this opportunity. I had known about this program for a few years before I decided to do it. I knew of two other people who underwent this procedure for a mini tummy tuck; I researched before making the decision. The tummy tuck is not offered all year round; they perform other operations for case research. In 2021 I called the research study and asked which studies they were conducting. The abdominoplasty was one of them; I signed up for a consultation to see if I would make a good candidate for the case study. I was approved as a candidate, and my operation was scheduled. I was scared to have this procedure done even though it was what I had wished for. Well, guess what happened? I canceled my operation because I was afraid. They added me to the waiting list; I needed more time to think about it.

I decided to go within myself to hatch out a plan if this was the right thing for me. I was at odds with myself and my divine creator for wanting this procedure. I thought I was defaming my body by having this procedure. I decided to have many internal talks and prayers with God, ancestors, spirit guides, and angels about my hesitance. I wanted a sign, a confirmation to deny or allow this to happen. I thought about it, prayed, and even cried; this was therapeutic. In the meantime, while I was waiting for my answer, I followed my intuition. Something told me inside to begin loving on my pooch of saggy skin. I’d loved my body before but not like this; this time, I had to concentrate only on my stomach.

This is how I began embracing that area; I took a spiritual bath with a recipe of essential oils and herbs from my garden and added Epsom salt for cleansing. I spoke to my Solar Plexus Chakra (abdomen) from that space to apologize for not taking care of her and for neglecting her in all the ways, I did. After apologizing to her, I began to thank her. I thanked my womb and abdomen for carrying my full-term babies and miscarriages. I thanked her for keeping me safe and healthy. I embraced all the emotions and thoughts flooding my heart with empathy for not seeing the value in myself. After the bath, I oiled my body with almond oil and shea butter, and I sent her love with gratitude. I felt like I needed closure before I could proceed with the surgery.

After the bath, I was more intentional about loving my abdomen. I did this by wearing my clothes differently. I used to mask her by wearing oversized t-shirts over my stomach and never wearing tight clothes or tucking in my shirts. I would do anything to avoid people seeing my pooch. After the spiritual bath, I had a new leash on loving that part of my body. I began wearing clothes that did not mask my stomach and felt proud to do so. While the days turned into weeks, I waited. I waited for more answers while embracing myself in a new way. The research center called; they had an available spot for the operation. I declined a second time because it was during Christmas vacation. I had plans to take my kids to see their grandparents in another state. At first, it was hard to say no, but then I went within myself and knew that I trusted God enough to know that what was meant for me would reach me.

After declining the operation twice, I continued to do the inner work of fully accepting all areas of my body, including what I called problem areas. I noticed I was building more self-confidence through self-acceptance. The new year approached 2022, and by this time, I had come to terms that I would not get the call, and that was okay too. Well, I got a call in January about another opening available. My mindset was different this time; I decided easily and checked in with my internal self. I accepted the invitation to have this procedure done.

I want to share my takeaways and tips with you before and after my tummy tuck. I am not a licensed physician, and you should consult your doctor for all your treatment before and after the procedure.

Do your research. I researched what the procedure entails, the doctor reviews, aftercare, recovery time, materials I need to recover, pain management, and much more. I did not join any Tummy tuck forums;. However, they are available; I chose not to enter any because, with the good outcomes, there are also scary testimonials, and I did not want to be frightened by the procedure.
I bought some recovery materials I saw on most people’s lists for recovery. Look into leaving the hospital with a dress or gown that opens in the front. You will have a binder wrapped around you with two drains attached for fluid drainage.
After the surgery, I invested in lymphatic massages post-surgery; ask your doctor what you can do to yield the best results.
Make sure you have a supportive friend or family member to drive you to and from the hospital and be with you for a minimum of two weeks. This varies with different people, I have small kids at home, and the two weeks were perfect before I had to take the reigns back.
In my experience, the roughest patch is the first five days. Everyone’s pain threshold is different. It will be painful to cough and sneeze; the nurses recommended I use a pillow for the cold and cough on my stomach. You will experience shallow breathing due to the procedure, and I was sent home with a handheld respirator to help expand my lungs, or I could develop pneumonia. The doctor gives you a pain management prescription, which varies per patient. I was precsribed tylenol and ibuprofen for pain management. I spent three days in the hospital, and my pain was managed well.
After the procedure, follow your doctor’s protocol. I was encouraged to walk on the second and third days in the hospital or be at risk for blood clots. It is recommended to sleep with your legs elevated to help avoid blood clots and help with the healing process. I slept on a recliner with my legs elevated, then I transitioned to my bed, laying on my back with my legs elevated. I slept with my legs elevated for a while until I was comfortable.
I was sore is the best way I can describe the pain. I moved slowly and carefully to get up with assistance from the nurse to potty. Please do not trouble yourself with underwear the first week or more; bending up and down is uncomfortable.
Do not be alarmed after the surgery. You will walk with a hunch like an older person. This goes away in about two weeks; this also varies but do not be alarmed; this is normal. Do not force stretch yourself to walk upright. I walked hunched over for more than two weeks; it was a process to straighten my back and ask your doctor. I walked a few steps daily and had to sit down because my back would ache when I first got home.
Make sure before you return home you have pre-cooked meals or someone to cook for you. All you will be able to do is rest laying down or sit up, and do minimal walking at first.
I saw my surgeon five days post the surgery, he removed the drains and the binder to see the results, and he will give your protocol for healing the area. I also purchased a phase 1 Compression garment from the office, a Columbian faja. This is an excellent time to ask all your questions. After the binder is removed, you can begin wound care.
I saw my surgeon one week and five days post-op, and he said “that everything was healing fantastically” he said I can now begin scar treatment, and I was fitted for a phase 2 compression garment. He said I did not have to dress my wound with the bandage, but I did anyway as security; I did not want the skin irritated by the compression garment.

Healing protocol supplies for my incisions and recovery:

-Juven drink twice a day

-Ginger and Tumeric tea with manuka honey and raw honey daily; here is the recipe

-Lemon water

–Premier protein shakes or makes your protein smoothies; that’s what I did

-Sea moss gel I added in my smoothie

-Hospital Respirator provided by the hospital

-Walking, I was terrified of getting clots. I made sure to walk

– Wedge Pillows or elevation pillows for legs to avoid blood clots

Motorized uplift Recliner (optional)
I avoided dairy, gluten, and junk food as much I could
Drink Juven to heal nerve tissue
Eat a high-protein meal plan
Medical manuka honey for wound care called First Honey
Large bandaids
2-4 large bandages to wrap around the waist
Walker ( I did not order one, but this would have come in handy)
Arnica tablets for bruising and swelling; I took these for three weeks
Scar gel strips
Polysporin ointment
Bras that clasp in the front
Nightgowns or dresses with a zipper or buttons in the front
Vitamin E oil for scar area
I hand-washed my private area in the sink; I took my first shower two weeks after surgery. I decided to wait that long.
More than one compression garment. I had one for the tight daytime and one for the nighttime that was snug and comfortable.
Compression Garment
Lipo foam (place inside compression garment and ease the soreness greatly)
Lipo Board
Certified Massage therapists for Lymphatic massages

I am now five weeks after my surgery, and I feel great. I feel better each day that passes. I attribute this to following my doctor’s protocol meal plan, being gentle with myself, and following my intuition. I wear my faja all day, every day, and I remove it at night and wear a light compression garment not to cut off circulation when I sleep. My back is straight now, and I treat my scar daily with the doctor’s advice of using scar strips. It is normal to feel numb in areas of your stomach, which is why research and aftercare are necessary.

My biggest takeaway about this surgery is that I still have a while to recover. Many platforms suggest it can take up to a year to see the results you want and feel like yourself again. It is essential to invest in aftercare treatment to yield the best results, and I can’t wait to provide more updates.

I am slowly embracing my new body; I love the results. I tried on my old clothes four weeks after surgery; my clothes fit better and were loose. Embracing a new physical form of yourself is a spiritual journey of awareness. I am happy things happened the way they did.