By week 3, most patients return to work and feel much better than they originally felt. Most patients will no longer need prescription pain relievers. Some people experience numbness or a pulling sensation for weeks or months after a tummy tuck, but this is usually normal and often goes away over time. Swelling and bruising may take up to three months to completely disappear, and the scar may take longer in disappearing.
After the procedure is over, the surgeon will discuss a more specific schedule for your recovery, but generally speaking, most patients start to feel more normal around eight weeks. Patients who undergo a tummy tuck may also experience a feeling of tightness in the abdomen because the skin has been cut and turned back to unite.
