Shower Rules

Hold that shower thought! You'll need to wait until day 3 post-op to get your shower groove on.

During your shower, keep the waterproof tape on both the navel area and any spots where drainage tubes are in place. Once you're fresh and clean, just replace the old waterproof tape with a new one.

Sensations & Healing

If you've had liposuction along with your tummy tuck, expect some bleeding from the incision site for 1-2 days.

If you notice any blood or reddish fluid, don't fret!
It's all part of the process. Just wipe it away gently with clean gauze or a cloth. And pro-tip: a waterproof pad on the bed will help keep things neat and tidy while you sleep.

The drainage tube will be removed when the daily output dips below 50cc.

As for stitches, you'll usually be ready for their removal between 4-5 days post-op, but depending on your healing pace, it could stretch to 7-10 days. Also, it's pretty standard for your skin to feel a bit numb in the treated area.

Compression
Garment Wear

You're in this garment for the long haul-or at least for a month.

Wear it around the clock, and make sure it's wrinkle-free, because wrinkles can lead to bumps and lumps in the surgical area.

Need to take it off? Lie down and ask for a helping hand.

Taking off the garment can cause a blood pressure drop, making you dizzy. To avoid this, it's best to lie down when taking it off and have someone assist you.

Scar Care

You'll have stitches at both the navel and drainage tube sites, which can usually be removed about 7 days after surgery.

Depending on your healing speed, this can extend to 10-14 days.

Below the abdominal incision, a Dermabond adhesive is applied, so no stitch removal is needed there.

To make that scar fade away, applying scar-softening ointment will help.

Managing Swelling

Expect to bid a slow goodbye to swelling over the course of about 3 months.

Individual experiences vary, but generally, it'll take around 3 months for the swelling to significantly reduce.
For the full reveal of your new contour, you'll need to be patient for about 6 months.

Alcohol & Smoking

Please avoid drinking and smoking for a month post-surgery.

Consuming alcohol and tobacco can negatively affect bleeding, wound healing, and can increase the risk of infections. For the best recovery, it's advised to abstain for a month.