What Happens During the First Week of Recovery from a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
Mon 31st Aug 2026
If you’re considering a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), it pays to know as much as possible about early recovery so you can prepare thoroughly, avoid any surprises and relax into your first post-op week. This article tells you what you need to know.
Your recovery will depend on the type of Abdominoplasty procedure you have. There are various types of Abdominoplasty procedures, and the one chosen for you will depend on your requirements and clinical suitability. Below are the most common types of procedures:
- Mini Abdominoplasty — Addresses a small amount of loose skin below the navel, with a shorter horizontal scar.
- Standard Abdominoplasty — Removes loose skin below the navel, with a longer horizontal scar and an incision around the navel.
- Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty — Suited to significant excess skin, particularly after major weight loss, with additional vertical skin removal.
- Open Book Tummy Tuck™ — A complex reconstructive technique for significant excess skin, particularly after massive weight loss, with additional skin removal in the entire abdominal region.
If you are having a Mini Abdominoplasty, your recovery time will be significantly shorter than if you’re having a more extensive procedure like a Fleur-De-Lis or Open Book Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty). To keep things simple, we’ll discuss recovery in terms of a Standard Abdominoplasty.
Your Abdominoplasty Surgery
Dr Eddy Dona performs his Abdominoplasty surgeries at either Westmead Private Hospital or Norwest Private Hospital in Bella Vista. Your Abdominoplasty will be performed under general anaesthesia and may take anywhere between three and six hours.
Most patients spend one or two nights in hospital, depending on the extent of your surgery.
Your First 48 Hours
As with any surgery, your Abdominoplasty will leave scars. During your initial consultation, Dr Dona would have carefully discussed this with you, so you are fully informed. If you are having a Standard Abdominoplasty, you’ll have an incision running approximately from one hipbone to the other. This incision can usually hide under most underwear. You’ll also have a small circumferential scar around your navel. (Keep in mind, if you are having a more extensive procedure, such as the Open Book Tummy Tuck™ (Abdominoplasty), you will have additional scars.)
When you wake from surgery in the recovery room, you’ll be positioned with your hips slightly bent to minimise tension on your wound. You’ll have dissolvable internal stitches, waterproof dressings, a compression garment and usually one or two surgical drains. These drains help prevent fluid from accumulating in the surgical area.
You’ll also have an IV drip, urinary catheter (so you don’t need to get up to go to the toilet), oxygen and leg compression devices. These help keep you comfortable and allow the nursing team to monitor you closely during your early recovery.
Once you have stabilised, you’ll be wheeled back to your hospital room where you’ll continue to sleep off your anaesthetic.
Your first day of recovery is often compared to recovering from a cesarean section. Some discomfort is to be expected, but your anaesthetist will provide plenty of medication to help alleviate it. It’s also normal to feel sore, tired and restricted in your movements, as your tummy has undergone a fairly significant procedure and both your skin and muscles have been tightened.
Most of your initial sensations will settle over the following days. However, expect your abdomen to feel quite tight for the first two weeks. During this time, it will be too difficult to stand upright, and you should walk in a hunched-over position, gently shuffling your feet. As the days pass, you will become more upright, but don’t force things.
While in hospital, you’ll be allowed to shower with assistance, as long as you keep your surgical incisions dry (they must remain dry for the first week after surgery).
Constipation is common after surgery, due to the strong pain medications and lack of activity, both of which slow the bowel. You’ll be given a constipation medication called Movicol to help. Depending on how your body responds, you may wish to take it for a few days when you return home.
When you leave the hospital, you’ll receive standard discharge medications, which typically include pain medication, antibiotics and blood thinners. Please take these as prescribed.
Returning Home
Arrange a Driver: Arrange for someone to drive you home. If you live alone, ideally you should have someone stay with you for the first couple of days.
Have your house prepared: Organise your home before surgery so that, when you arrive home, you are well equipped for your first week of recovery. For example, you’ll need fresh, clean sheets on the bed, sleepwear, comfortable clothing, reading material, prepared meals in the fridge and so on. You can read more about preparing your home for surgery here.
Rest, but get up often: During your first few days at home, rest often, but get up regularly to take small steps. This encourages circulation, helps prevent stiffness and aids in healing. Dr Dona does not want you to stay in bed the whole time, as this will not help healing. However, if you feel tired, listen to your body and let yourself sleep.
Return to the clinic: You’ll also return to the clinic for your first post-operative appointment, where we remove your dressings, assess your wounds, and begin your personalised heaLED™ Post-Operative Care Program.
A significant part of this program is LED light-based therapy. This helps reduce inflammation and swelling, ease discomfort, speed tissue regeneration, and promote smoother, more refined scars. Most Abdominoplasty patients have two to three sessions a week for several weeks to assist with healing.
No heavy lifting: Avoid lifting anything heavier than about two kilos.
No reaching up: Do not raise your arms above your head as this strains your chest and abdominal incisions.
Continue wearing your compression garment: Your compression garment helps reduce post-operative swelling and inflammation, improves comfort, and supports your healing tissues and muscles by applying gentle, consistent pressure to the treated area. It provides a stable environment for healing tissues and muscles to adhere properly, minimising the risk of complications and helping ensure a smooth recovery.
Sleeping: Rest on your back with your head and knees elevated. This is best achieved by elevating the head of your bed with a brick under each foot. Then, place pillows under your knees to keep your legs bent. Sleeping this way will take pressure off your midsection.
Find out More About an Abdominoplasty
If you’re considering an Abdominoplasty, your first step is to book an initial consultation with Dr Eddy Dona. Dr Dona is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who has dedicated his career to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since 2007.
He has a special interest in Body Contouring procedures (including Abdominoplasties) and is renowned for his work in this area. Dr Dona is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).
Dr Dona has also pioneered the Open Book Tummy Tuck™ (Abdominoplasty), an advanced Abdominoplasty procedure specifically designed to address the complex abdominal wall reconstruction needs of individuals after drastic weight loss. You can read his published article on the Open Book Tummy Tuck™ (Abdominoplasty) here.
