Overview
This guide explains how to care for yourself after your abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to support safe healing, reduce complications, and achieve the best possible result. Please follow these instructions carefully and contact My Imperial Care if you notice anything unusual.
Hospital stay and discharge
Our surgeons usually recommend staying one night in the hospital, with discharge the following day if your condition is stable.
Dressings, tapes and scar care
- Shower-proof tape dressings are applied after surgery.
- Keep these tapes in place for 4 weeks.
- After 4 weeks, remove the tape and massage the scar daily using Bio-Oil (available at pharmacies and supermarkets).
Binder / compression garment
- If you had a mini abdominoplasty, a girdle is applied immediately after surgery.
- If you had a full abdominoplasty, an abdominal binder is usually provided at your postoperative visit about one week after surgery.
- Wear the binder continuously for 4–6 weeks and remove it only for showering.
- The first time you remove the garment, have someone with you in case of dizziness.
Activity and sleeping position
- Sleep and rest bent at the waist, with your back elevated using pillows and your knees supported.
- You may sleep on your back or on your side in this position.
- Walk slightly bent forward for at least one week.
- Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds (2–3 kg) for the first 2–3 days.
- Avoid weight training, aerobic exercise, and high-impact sports for 4–6 weeks.
- Resume activities gradually and stop anything that causes pain.
Showering and hygiene
- You may shower 24 hours after surgery.
- Dressings are waterproof. Gently dab them dry after showering.
- Avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, oceans, and lakes until the incisions are fully healed and scabs have disappeared.
- You may use antibacterial soap gently over the area.
Pain and medication
- Pain is normal after surgery.
- Take all medications exactly as prescribed.
- Do not drive for 24 hours after anesthesia or while taking strong pain medication.
Diet
Follow a low-carbohydrate diet (maximum 30 grams per day) for the first 2–3 weeks.
This helps reduce fluid retention and swelling and allows results to become visible sooner.
Incision, skin and wound care
- Check the skin between the belly button and the incision three times daily.
- Contact us immediately if the skin becomes dark purple, grey, or black.
- Leave steri-strips in place until they fall off naturally.
- Do not cut or pull sutures.
- Small amounts of bleeding or oozing are normal. If bleeding increases, apply firm pressure for 20–30 minutes.
- Drainage tubes may be present and will be removed before you return home.
What is normal during healing
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tightness
- Numbness or tingling in the abdominal area, which may last several weeks or months
Contact us immediately if you notice
- Heavy or continuous bleeding
- Foul-smelling drainage
- Yellow or green discharge
- Fever above 38.3°C (101°F) with chills
- Increasing redness or warmth around the incision
- Rapid swelling on one side
- Skin discoloration around the surgical area
Smoking warning
Smoking significantly increases the risk of skin loss and delayed wound healing.
Do not smoke while your body is healing.
Clothing after surgery
- Wear lycra-rich sportswear as much as possible for the first 3 months.
- Two layers are ideal, such as a top and shorts or leggings.
Sun protection and skin care
- Your abdominal skin will be more sensitive to sunlight for several months.
- Use SPF 50 sunscreen.
- Apply moisturizing cream or Bio-Oil regularly.
- Avoid strong sun exposure for at least 6 months.
Contact – My Imperial Care
If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, contact us:
Email: support@myimperial.care
WhatsApp: +90 541 859 04 15