Question:
How painful is a tummy tuck?

   — Denise Z. (posted on March 21, 2003)

March 20, 2003
A tummy tuck wasn't that painful to me. It really depends on how well you can take pain. I had my tummy tuck a year ago and the pain was bearable. In fact I really didn't need any pain medication at all, but I have a high tolerance for pain.
   — Sharon T.

March 20, 2003
I am 2 weeks post tt today. I had two wisdom teeth removed at the same time and that hurt far worse than the tuck did. The tuck definitely hasn't been painless though! The first 2 days hurt quite a bit. I went back to work full-time one week post-op and got the first of 2 drains taken out yesterday. That hurt! It's all been very tolerable to this point though and VERY worth it for me! I'm thrilled with the results! I got the anchor incision and have taken pics, so if you'd like so see them - e-mail me.
   — Karla K.

March 20, 2003
I have a high tolerance for pain and the tummy tuck was the most painful surgery I've ever had. I don't want to scare you, just want you to know the truth. In the past 18 months, I've had Lap RNY and Lap Gallbladder removal and did not need pain meds after either. I definitely needed my pain meds after the tummy tuck. But it really only hurts when you move and it gets better every day. Just remember to take your pain meds as scheduled to stay ahead of the pain - don't wait until you're hurting to take them. I'm 10 weeks post-op tummy tuck today and the only time I have pain now is when I sneeze, but it passes pretty quickly. Best of Luck!
   — Stephanie S.

March 20, 2003
Hi Denise I am 5 weeks post op tummy tuck. I didn't have a normal tummy tuck though, they went all the way around because I Was a big girl .. all the way around. I also got lipo in my flanks (lovehandles) and legs. I had a tough time with the pain because I had so much done. I got plenty of drugs though. You need to rest and take it easy. I went back to work pretty quickly ( a week later) with 4 drains and all which was interesting. Email me if you want to chat. [email protected]
   — Jennifer L.

March 21, 2003
Hi, I had a panni done - cut from hip to hip. I was the least painful of all the surgeries I've had done. Like everyone else said - take your pain meds on schedule so you are ahead of the pain cycle. I was back to work in 2 weeks, no complications.
   — connie m

March 21, 2003
You're likely to get answers all across-the-board to your question, because everyone's individual pain response differs, and you have to factor in the skill/experience of the surgeon as well as the type of incision involved. In my case, I had an anchor-incision panniculectomy (no underlying muscle revisions involved) and I thought that it was by far the most "comfortable" major surgery that I had ever had....even less uncomfortable than my lap RNY, which at the time, I thought was a breeze! To have had such an extensive incision, plus 4 drains, I anticipated being miserable. However, I remember telling my husband that "this doesn't feel any worse than a bad paper-cut!" I also had a brachioplasty at the same time, and felt that that procedure was nearly painless as well. I was up walking in the room the evening after this 5 1/2 hour surgery, and was back to work full-time in an office position in 10 days, drains in place (also completely painless). Perhaps I just have great pain tolerance, but my experience was great and so are the results! :-) Best wishes!
   — Diana T.