Case #5003
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A woman in her 20s and mother of three with a lower-abdominal bulge from rectus diastasis underwent a diastasis repair.
A 29-year-old mother of three who had a visible bulge of her lower abdomen without any excess fat and with minimal skin laxity. Dr. Azadgoli performed a rectus diastasis repair through her previous C-section scar.
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Why this approach
The decisions that shaped this surgical plan.
- Pregnancy-related anatomy informs the plan: rectus separation, skin laxity, and breast tissue volume change all factor in.
Pre-op preparation
What to do before surgery. Specific to this case.
- Discontinue blood thinners (NSAIDs, aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E) two weeks out. Acetaminophen remains safe; the full list is reviewed at pre-op.
- Nicotine in any form — cigarettes, vapes, patches, gum — paused six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows wound healing.
- Set up a recovery zone with easy access to water, medication, and comfortable seating. Avoid stairs when possible the first 72 hours.
- A driver is required the day of surgery and a responsible adult should stay with you the first 24 hours.
- Hormonal stability and lab values confirmed before surgery. Nursing-friendly scheduling and meds are coordinated when relevant.
Recovery timeline
Milestones specific to this case. Individual recovery varies.
- Day 1–7
Light activity, hydration, and elevation. Expect peak swelling between days 3 and 5, then a gradual easing through the end of the week.
- Week 2
Patients off prescription pain medication, walking 1–2 miles daily, and back to most light household activity.
- Week 4
Most patients back to gym cardio at 50 percent intensity. Scar massage protocol begins. Driving restored if not already.
- Week 6
Standard clearance milestone. Patients return to most exercise, gym work, and sleeping in any position.
- Month 3
Most patients consider this the "final result emerges" milestone. The remaining 10 percent of refinement plays out through month 6.
Continued care
Recommended aftercare, skincare, and MedSpa services for Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty).
- Abdominal binder continuously for 6 weeks
- Walk bent forward at the waist for the first week to protect the muscle repair
- Drains typically removed at days 5–10
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy when recommended — improves perfusion at the closure
- Medical-grade silicone sheeting along the hip-to-hip incision
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for scar healing
- SPF 50+ on the scar for 18 months
- Fractional laser along the abdominal scar after 3 months
- Indiba radiofrequency for skin tightening
- Lymphatic drainage starting week 2
- Coordination
Hormone status reviewed during recovery; nursing-compatible protocols if relevant.
Post-pregnancy hormonal shifts influence healing and skin behavior.
- Skincare
Sun avoidance and SPF protocol extended through month 12 to minimize scar hyperpigmentation.
Younger skin pigments scars more reliably under sun exposure.
