Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedures are performed sometimes in a hospital setting with overnight stay and sometimes in a surgical center on an outpatient basis. Drain tubes are almost always used with tummy tuck surgeries and can be left in place for anywhere from five to ten or more days. The drain reservoirs must be emptied once or twice daily. The incisions at the belly button and lower abdomen should be cleaned and dressed daily with simple bandages. Pressure garments of a girdle type are used initially to help secure bandages and are vital once the drain tubes are removed to prevent accumulation of fluid or seroma formation beneath the abdominal skin. Garments are worn at least part-time for four to six weeks or more. This promotes the skin contraction and resolution of edema that will give the abdomen its smooth and flat final contour.

I typically see tummy tuck patients for follow-up one day, one week, two weeks and one month after surgery. I then ask them to return for late follow-ups at three, six and 12 months after surgery.