What to organise at work and at home in the weeks before abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after pregnancy.
Pregnancy stretches the abdominal skin and can separate the abdominal muscles. These are normal changes, and many women never need an operation for them. For women who are planning abdominoplasty after pregnancy, the weeks before the operation are the time to organise work, help at home and the house itself, because lifting, driving and getting around are restricted afterwards. This checklist sets out what to arrange and when, starting 1 to 2 months before surgery. The time frames in it are general. It does not decide whether surgery suits you. That is decided at consultation, after a GP referral.
What is inside
- The operations: general time frames for the hospital stay, time off work and driving after limited, full and extended abdominoplasty
- What can be involved: repair of muscle separation (diastasis recti), ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy (VASER liposuction), hernia repair where present, and what happens to a caesarean scar
- 1 to 2 months before: blood tests, a medication review, a current GP referral, time off work and stopping nicotine
- 2 to 3 weeks before: another adult to help at home, and transport to hospital, home again and to your early follow-up visits
- The final week and your home: meals, groceries, pet care, your bedroom and living room, medications within reach, and clothing that goes on without bending
The checklist is emailed, usually within a few minutes. Check junk if not received. A member of my team may call to confirm it arrived and answer questions about the consultation process. Occasional educational emails follow. Unsubscribe at any time. By requesting the checklist you confirm you are 18 or over. See our privacy policy.
Before deciding on surgery, read my overview of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) after pregnancy, including the risks and recovery.