Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty Palo Alto & San Jose – Tummy Tuck Recovery

Detailed tummy tuck recovery information is provided below. Patients can also visit our center serving San Jose and Palo Alto area.

Mini Abdominoplasty – Palo Alto & San Jose

Mini tummy tucks are recommended if only a small lower abdominal skin excess is present. A mini tummy tuck has a quicker recovery. After a mini tummy tuck procedure, moderate discomfort can be treated with oral pain medication. Patients can usually return to work a week after surgery.

Standard Abdominoplasty – Palo Alto & San Jose

After standard abdominoplasty patients should take care in movement for the first week, walking in a somewhat forward flexed position at the waist. Patients can expect more freedom of movement during the second week. Most are able to drive and move about fairly normally in 8-10 days, and should anticipate ten to fourteen days off work. No aerobic exercise is permitted for six to eight weeks. Additionally, home assistance is required for two full days. Home help should be available twenty-four hours a day for the first three days, and some patients may prefer a professional aftercare facility instead of home recovery. A pain pump which administers a small amount of long-acting anesthetic continuously for three days under the skin of the abdomen can be very helpful. The majority of my patients choose to stay at home after their procedure, and the pain pump helps make this more comfortable.

Extensive Abdominoplasty – Palo Alto & San Jose

An extensive abdominoplasty usually requires the patient to take two weeks off work and social activities. Home help will be needed for the first 2-4 days, and it is often best to stay in an aftercare facility for the first 1-2 days. An extensive abdominoplasty would be a patient who had significant liposuction of the waist, flank area, and started with a relatively larger amount of fat and skin. When abdominoplasty is combined with breast surgery, such as augmentations or lifts, an overnight stay might be recommended as well.

Endoscopic Abdominoplasty – Palo Alto & San Jose

Recovery after this procedure is the same as mini- abdominoplasty recovery.

A tummy tuck is that it is a superficial operation that does not require cutting through the abdominal wall or muscle, which is necessary for an abdominal hysterectomy, or a bowel operation. Therefore, the recovery is much quicker, and the patient is usually able to eat and drink immediately after surgery. During the tummy tuck consultation at our San Jose and Palo Alto area center, Dr. Lowen will discuss all aspects of the surgery in full detail and answer all of your questions.

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