Among our many patients at Pacifico Plastic Surgery in New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, tummy tuck patients may in fact be the happiest. After one precise and elegant surgery, stretch marks, loose skin, and unsightly “pouches” all start to disappear—leaving you with a flatter and firmer tummy to flaunt in the summer months.

As miraculous and amazing as a tummy tuck procedure may be, it’s a surgical operation that requires rest and relaxation if you’re to recover in an optimal fashion. Generally, you need one to four weeks of R&R to fully heal from your surgery and return to your everyday activities.

Your Symptoms Post-Surgery

After you wake from your tummy tuck, you’ll likely be feeling a mixture of soreness and tightness in your muscles. At this stage, we tend to administer medicines to alleviate any lingering pains or discomforts.

Though some of our patients stay overnight following their tummy tuck surgeries, the majority do get discharged on the same day as their procedures. Before you’re officially discharged, we’ll see that you have a friend, family member, or caretaker ready to safely transport you home and settle you into bed.

Depending on your physical health and the scope of your tummy tuck surgery, you may wish to be accompanied and monitored over the next 24 hours. Dr. Pacifico and his staff will ensure that you have detailed postoperative instructions to guide you at every stage of your recovery.

Your Initial Recovery

Naturally, you’ll want to be resting as much as you can in that first week after your tummy tuck. It can’t go overlooked though that you also need to be mobile. If it’s feasible for you, do get up and walk every three to four hours, aiding your body with circulation.

When you lay down to nap or sleep during these first two days home, elevate your head slightly. Grabbing two pillows will probably do the trick for you. An ideal posture goes a long way towards accelerating the healing process while keeping pressure off your abdomen and muscles.

During this process, you’ll want to strictly follow your regimen of medications and drink a healthy amount of liquids.

Your Doctor’s Orders

If you ever wish for more instruction, Pacifico Plastic Surgery is happy to answer your questions. At our surgical centers in New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, we handle everything from a tummy tuck to liposuction, and a breast augmentation to a facelift.