Body Lift – Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) After Surgery Guide

Why the Umbilicus Needs Special Care

During a full tummy tuck, the umbilicus remains attached to the abdominal wall while the surrounding abdominal skin is repositioned. A new opening is created in the skin, and the umbilicus is carefully secured within this opening.

Although the belly button usually heals well, it is one of the more delicate areas during early recovery. Its curved and recessed shape may also retain moisture more easily than the lower abdominal incision.

Mild swelling, firmness, scabbing, and temporary changes in shape or sensation are common during early healing.

• Avoid unnecessary or concentrated pressure directly over the belly button.
• Follow all dressing instructions carefully.
• Keep the area clean and dry.
• Do not remove dressings, scabs, or sutures yourself.
• Do not apply ointment, disinfectant, powder, or scar products unless instructed.
• Contact Evita Clinic if you notice increasing redness, persistent drainage, foul odor, wound separation, or dark discoloration.

Why the Lower Abdominal Incision Is Under Tension

During tummy tuck surgery, excess abdominal skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened. As a result, the long lower abdominal incision is naturally exposed to tension during the first several weeks of healing.

Standing upright, sitting, coughing, laughing, getting out of bed, reaching, twisting, and stretching may all place additional stress on the incision. This tension gradually decreases as the tissues heal and soften.

• Stand more upright gradually during the first several days.
• Do not force your abdomen into a fully stretched position.
• Support your abdomen when coughing or sneezing.
• Use your arms and legs when getting in and out of bed.
• Continue wearing your compression garment as instructed.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects.
• Avoid sudden twisting, reaching, or abdominal stretching.

Compression Garment

Your compression garment is one of the most important components of tummy tuck recovery. It provides support to the abdominal tissues while they heal and helps control excessive movement and swelling.

• Wear your compression garment continuously for approximately 4 weeks unless instructed otherwise.
• Compression helps control postoperative swelling.
• It supports the abdominal skin and deeper tissues during healing.
• Most importantly, compression helps reduce shearing movement between the tissue layers.
• Reducing tissue movement may help lower the risk of fluid accumulation and seroma.
• Compression may also reduce unnecessary tension across the lower abdominal incision.
• Do not stop wearing the garment simply because your pain or swelling has improved.
• Make sure the garment does not fold, roll, or create concentrated pressure over the incision or umbilicus.
• Contact Evita Clinic if the garment causes severe pressure, blistering, skin discoloration, or increasing pain.

Walking & Daily Activity

Gentle walking is encouraged soon after surgery because it improves circulation and helps reduce the risk of blood clots. However, more activity is not always better during early recovery.

• Take several short walks each day.
• Increase your walking distance gradually.
• Rest if swelling, tightness, or discomfort increases.
• Avoid long shopping trips and prolonged standing.
• Avoid heavy housework, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Avoid running, abdominal exercise, and vigorous exercise during the first month.
• Do not repeatedly stretch your abdomen to test how straight you can stand.

Dermabond Prineo® Skin Closure System

Your lower abdominal incision is usually protected with the Dermabond Prineo® Skin Closure System. This system combines medical skin adhesive with a self-adhering mesh to protect and support the incision during early healing.

• Do not remove Dermabond Prineo® yourself.
• No routine dressing change is required over the protected incision.
• Do not rub, scratch, peel, pull, or trim the mesh.
• Do not apply ointment, moisturizer, scar gel, silicone products, or disinfectant over the mesh.
• Slight lifting at the outer edges may occur and is usually not a problem.
• Do not place additional adhesive tape directly over loose Prineo® unless instructed.
• Your surgeon will determine when the dressing is ready to be removed.
• Contact Evita Clinic if the mesh becomes widely detached or if you notice wound opening, increasing redness, or drainage beneath it.

Showering

Showering is usually allowed approximately 2–3 days after surgery unless you have received different instructions.

• Allow clean water to flow gently over the incision.
• Do not scrub the incision or Dermabond Prineo®.
• Do not use a sponge, washcloth, or exfoliating product directly over the surgical areas.
• Gently pat the incision dry with a clean towel.
• Carefully dry the umbilicus after every shower.
• Do not leave wet gauze or a damp garment against the skin.
• Avoid bathtubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas until approved by your surgeon.

Drain Removal Site Care

Surgical drains remove fluid during the early healing period and help reduce fluid accumulation beneath the abdominal skin. They are removed when the drainage has decreased to an appropriate level.

• Keep each drain removal site clean and dry.
• Keep the waterproof dressing in place for the period instructed by Evita Clinic.
• A small amount of clear, pink, or blood-tinged drainage may occur temporarily after drain removal.
• Replace any wet or soiled gauze promptly.
• Do not apply scar gel or silicone products to an open drain site.
• Contact Evita Clinic if you notice persistent bleeding, increasing redness, pus, foul odor, or worsening pain.

Seroma After Tummy Tuck

A seroma is a collection of clear body fluid beneath the abdominal skin. It may occur after the drains have been removed while the deeper tissue layers are still healing.

Seromas commonly become noticeable during the second or third postoperative week, when patients feel better and begin increasing their activity.

Possible signs of a seroma

• A new or enlarging area of swelling
• Asymmetry of the lower abdomen
• A soft or fluid-like sensation beneath the skin
• A sensation of fluid movement when changing position
• Increasing tightness, pressure, or discomfort

How can you reduce the risk?

• Continue wearing your compression garment.
• Walk regularly, but avoid excessive or prolonged activity.
• Avoid heavy lifting and abdominal exercise.
• Avoid prolonged sitting or standing without changing position.
• Continue protecting your abdomen even when your pain and swelling have improved.

If you suspect fluid accumulation, send clear photographs or a short video to Evita Clinic. Some seromas may require examination and aspiration.

Learn more: Seroma after Tummy Tuck – What It Is and How to Manage It

Daily Umbilical Care

Check your belly button every day during the early healing period. Mild swelling, firmness, scabbing, or temporary changes in shape are common.

• Keep the umbilicus clean and dry.
• Carefully dry the inside and surrounding skin after showering.
• Do not pick at scabs or healing tissue.
• Do not insert cotton swabs deeply into the belly button unless instructed.
• Do not apply ointment, disinfectant, powder, or scar products unless recommended by Evita Clinic.
• Make sure your compression garment does not place concentrated pressure directly over the umbilicus.
• Follow any specific dressing instructions provided by your surgeon.

Contact Evita Clinic if you notice increasing redness, persistent drainage, foul odor, worsening pain, wound separation, or dark brown, purple, gray, or black discoloration.

After Dermabond Prineo® Removal

Once Dermabond Prineo® has been removed and the incision is stable, Steri-Strips are usually applied to continue supporting the lower abdominal incision.

At this stage, the incision may appear pink or red and may feel firm, tight, uneven, or temporarily numb. These changes are common during early scar maturation.

Steri-Strip Support

Steri-Strips provide external support to the healing incision and help reduce the mechanical forces that may cause a scar to widen.

• Apply each Steri-Strip perpendicular to the incision.
• Allow each strip to cross the incision at approximately a 90-degree angle.
• Leave small spaces between the strips for ventilation.
• Do not stretch the strips excessively during application.
• Apply the strips only to clean, completely dry skin.
• Keep the strips clean and dry.
• Replace them only when they become loose or detach naturally.
• Do not remove and replace them every day.
• Do not apply Steri-Strips over an open wound, drainage, blister, or irritated skin.
• Continue using Steri-Strips for several weeks or longer when instructed.

Learn more: Steri-Strip & Incision Support Guide

If a Small Wound Opening Occurs

Small areas of delayed healing may occasionally develop along the lower abdominal incision or around the umbilicus. This does not automatically mean that the area is infected or that the surgery has failed.

Small wound openings may be related to tension, swelling, moisture, friction, increased activity, reduced local circulation, or individual healing differences.

• Send clear photographs to Evita Clinic for evaluation.
• Keep the area clean and dry.
• Reduce activity and unnecessary stretching.
• Continue appropriate compression unless it causes direct pressure or friction over the wound.
• Use Betadine®, antibiotic ointment, gauze, or another dressing only when instructed.
• Do not apply silicone gel, scar ointment, or silicone sheets over an open wound.
• Do not place Steri-Strips directly over drainage or irritated skin unless specifically instructed.
• Do not pick at scabs, yellow fibrin, or healing tissue.

Scar Care After Tummy Tuck

Scar healing is a gradual biological process. Even after the incision has completely closed, the lower abdominal and umbilical scars continue to change and mature for many months.

Long-term scar treatment should begin only after the incision is completely closed, dry, and stable.

• Continue using Steri-Strips for several weeks or longer as instructed.
• Do not apply scar gel, silicone products, or ointment to an open wound, scab, drainage, blister, or irritated skin.
• Silicone sheets may be useful for the long, relatively flat lower abdominal scar.
• Silicone gel may be more convenient around the belly button and other curved areas.
• Begin scar massage only after the incision has completely healed and when advised by Evita Clinic.
• Protect the lower abdominal and umbilical scars from direct sunlight for at least 6 months.
• Remember that scars may remain pink, red, firm, itchy, or slightly raised during the first several months.
• Most scars continue to soften, flatten, and fade for approximately 12–18 months.

For detailed instructions about Steri-Strips, silicone therapy, scar massage, sun protection, raised scars, and long-term scar maturation, please review:

Scar Management Guide

Simple Healing Timeline

What Is Normal During Recovery?

During tummy tuck recovery, it is common to notice:

• Swelling and bruising of the abdomen
• Firmness beneath the skin
• Tightness across the lower abdomen
• Difficulty standing completely upright during the first several days
• Temporary numbness or altered sensation of the lower abdomen
• Swelling, firmness, or scabbing around the belly button
• Mild pulling sensations when standing or stretching
• Uneven swelling between the right and left sides
• Firmness or temporary irregularity along the incision
• Gradual improvement over several weeks to months

These changes are generally part of normal healing. Swelling, firmness, sensation, and abdominal contour improve gradually rather than all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I stand up straight?

Most patients gradually stand more upright over the first 1–2 weeks. Do not force yourself to stand completely straight if doing so causes significant pulling or discomfort.

How long should I wear my compression garment?

Most patients wear their compression garment continuously for approximately 4 weeks unless instructed otherwise. Some patients may need longer compression depending on swelling, seroma risk, and healing progress.

When can I shower?

Showering is usually allowed approximately 2–3 days after surgery unless you have received different instructions. Gently dry the incision, drain sites, and umbilicus afterward.

Why does my abdomen feel tight?

Tightness is expected because excess skin has been removed and the abdominal skin and deeper tissues have been tightened. It usually improves gradually over several weeks to months.

Is it normal for my abdomen to feel firm?

Yes. Temporary firmness is common as swelling resolves and scar tissue develops beneath the skin. The abdomen gradually softens during recovery.

Why is one side more swollen than the other?

Mild asymmetry of swelling may occur during early recovery. However, rapidly increasing or fluid-like swelling should be reported to Evita Clinic.

When can I drive?

You may drive when you are no longer taking sedating or narcotic pain medication, can sit comfortably, and can safely turn, brake, and control the vehicle without significant pain.

When can I exercise?

Gentle walking is encouraged soon after surgery. Running, strenuous exercise, abdominal workouts, and heavy lifting should usually be avoided for approximately one month or until approved by your surgeon.

When can I begin scar treatment?

Scar gel, silicone sheets, and scar massage should begin only after the incision has completely closed and the skin is dry and stable. Do not apply scar products to an open wound, scab, drainage, or irritated skin.

When will I see my final result?

The abdominal contour improves immediately after surgery, but swelling and firmness continue to change for several months. The long-term contour is generally assessed between 6 and 12 months, while scar maturation may continue for 12–18 months or longer.

When Should I Contact Evita Clinic?

Please contact Evita Clinic if you notice:

• Increasing or spreading redness around the incision or umbilicus
• Increasing warmth, swelling, or pain
• Persistent or active bleeding
• Pus or foul-smelling drainage
• Rapidly increasing or fluid-like abdominal swelling
• A sensation of fluid moving beneath the skin
• Rapidly enlarging wound separation
• Dark brown, purple, gray, or black discoloration around the umbilicus or incision
• High fever or chills
• Severe or worsening pain
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf swelling
• Any concern about your wound, drain site, compression garment, or recovery