Reverse Tummy Tuck Recovery: Supportive Garments, Incision Care and Returning to Lifting

She stood sideways in the bathroom mirror the morning after her final consult, pinching the fold of skin just below her ribs. Years of weight change had left the lower belly firm and flat, but the upper abdomen had a soft apron that no plank, no crunch, no clean-eating streak had ever touched. The surgeon had used a term she had never heard: reverse abdominoplasty. What she wanted to know had nothing to do with the operating room and everything to do with the six weeks after it.

That is the honest shape of most questions about reverse tummy tuck recovery. People want to know when the tight band under the bra line will feel normal, how to keep an incision clean when it sits in a warm skin fold, and when they can hoist a toddler or a grocery bag again without fear of pulling something loose.

The answers are more measured than the glossy brochures suggest, and they are worth having before anyone books a date.

What is a reverse tummy tuck and what actually happens in surgery?

A reverse tummy tuck, also called an upper or reverse abdominoplasty, removes loose skin from the upper abdomen by pulling it upward rather than downward. Abdominoplasty is the medical word for surgical reshaping of the abdominal wall, and the reverse version simply flips the direction of the lift.

In a standard tummy tuck the surgeon cuts low across the bikini line, frees the skin up to the ribs and draws it down like a bedsheet. Mayo Clinic describes how that approach can also tighten the vertical abdominal muscles and reposition the belly button. The reverse procedure works from the other end. The incision follows the crease where the breast meets the chest, known as the inframammary fold. The surgeon lifts the skin between the navel and the ribs, trims the excess, and stitches the remaining edge into that crease so the scar sits where a bra band naturally falls.

Several practical details follow from that anatomy. The belly button rarely needs moving because the tissue below it stays put. Muscle repair, if a surgeon judges it necessary, is less common than in a full abdominoplasty, since the classic separation from pregnancy usually sits lower. Some people have liposuction added to smooth the flanks. In many cases the operation is combined with a breast lift or reduction because the incision lines overlap.

Surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes a couple of hours, though timing varies with what is combined. The NHS notes that tummy tuck patients often stay in hospital for one or two nights, and small drainage tubes are sometimes left in place for a few days to collect fluid while the raw surfaces knit back together.

Who is usually a candidate for reverse abdominoplasty, and who is asked to wait?

Surgeons tend to suggest this operation for a fairly specific pattern: skin laxity concentrated above the belly button, often after major weight loss, a previous standard tummy tuck that left the upper abdomen soft, or age-related thinning of the skin. If the looseness runs the full length of the abdomen, a conventional approach or a combination procedure is more often discussed.

Mayo Clinic lists circumstances in which a surgeon might advise caution or delay for any abdominoplasty. A body mass index above roughly 30 is one, because higher body fat raises wound-healing and clot risks. Plans for future pregnancy are another, since stretching the skin again can undo the result. Smoking is a third; nicotine constricts small blood vessels and starves the healing edge of the incision. Most surgeons ask people to stop for several weeks before and after surgery. Chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease do not rule surgery out, but they change how the team plans anesthesia and recovery.

Weight stability matters more than the number itself. The NHS advice on cosmetic surgery is clear that results hold up best when weight has been steady for some time, and that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss treatment. Someone still losing weight is generally asked to wait until things plateau.

There is one candidate-specific consideration unique to the reverse technique. Because the scar lands in the breast crease, people with very little natural fold or with very small breasts may find the scar harder to hide. That is a conversation about trade-offs, not a disqualification, and it belongs with the treating team who can examine the tissue in person.

How long is reverse tummy tuck recovery? A realistic timeline

Nobody can hand you a calendar and promise the dates, but the broad arc is well described. The NHS says it can take about six weeks to recover from a tummy tuck, and the reverse version follows a similar rhythm because the healing biology of a long incision is the same wherever it sits.

The first two or three days are about anesthesia wearing off, learning to move with a tight upper abdomen and managing drains if they were placed. Many people find sitting up from lying down the hardest single movement, because it asks the freshly closed skin to stretch.

By the end of the first week, most people are walking around the house and taking short showers once the team clears them. Bruising and swelling usually peak in this window and then start to soften.

Weeks two to four bring the biggest gains in comfort. The NHS advises that people can often return to work after four to six weeks, sooner for desk jobs and later for physical ones, and that driving should wait until sudden braking would not cause pain, typically a few weeks.

Around six weeks, the NHS says strenuous exercise can usually restart and the compression garment can come off. That is also when most surgeons review the scar and give the go-ahead for progressive lifting.

Beyond that point the changes are slow and quiet. Swelling can take several months to settle fully, and Mayo Clinic notes that scars keep fading for up to a year or more. The number that matters most is not the week you return to work; it is the week you stop thinking about the incision every time you reach overhead.

How painful is a reverse tummy tuck?

Pain after this operation is real but usually manageable, and it has a particular character worth knowing in advance. Because the incision runs along the breast fold and the skin is pulled upward, most people describe tightness across the lower ribs rather than the deep, cough-triggered ache that follows muscle repair in a standard tummy tuck. When muscle tightening is not part of the operation, the pain is largely skin and soft-tissue pain, which tends to ease faster.

The first three to five days are typically the most uncomfortable. Mayo Clinic notes that after any abdominoplasty you can expect pain and swelling in the days after surgery, and that your surgeon will prescribe pain relief and tell you how to take it. That plan is individual: your team chooses the class of medicine, the schedule and how long it continues, and any change should go through them rather than a friend’s leftover prescription or an online forum.

Two things make pain worse in the early days, and both are within your control. The first is lying completely flat, which stretches the closed incision; propping the upper body on pillows takes tension off. The second is holding your breath and bracing when you move, which people do instinctively. Exhaling slowly as you stand or sit up reduces the pull on the chest wall.

Numbness is more common than sharp pain. The nerves that supply skin sensation are cut when the skin is lifted, and MedlinePlus lists altered sensation as a recognized effect of abdominal wall surgery. Feeling usually returns gradually over months, though some patches can remain permanently dulled. Tingling, itching and occasional electric zings along the scar are typical signs of nerves regrowing, not of something going wrong.

Reverse tummy tuck compression garment: what it does and how long to wear it

The garment is the part of recovery people underestimate and then complain about most. Its job is mechanical. After the skin is lifted from the underlying tissue, a thin gap remains where fluid can collect. Gentle, even pressure encourages those two layers to stick back together, limits swelling, and gives the healing skin some support so that ordinary movement does not tug on the incision.

For a reverse procedure the garment usually looks different from the familiar abdominal binder. Because the incision sits under the breasts, many teams use a supportive surgical bra combined with a vest or high-waisted compression piece that covers the upper abdomen. Some prefer a single garment that runs from the chest to the hips. The specific style is a surgeon’s choice, and no particular product has evidence of superiority over another; what matters is consistent, comfortable pressure.

How long? The NHS states that after a tummy tuck people usually wear a compression garment for about six weeks. Mayo Clinic gives similar guidance, describing a supportive binder worn for around six weeks to reduce fluid buildup and support the abdomen. Many surgeons ask for round-the-clock wear in the first two or three weeks, then daytime-only after that, but the schedule is theirs to set.

Fit is where problems start. A garment that is too tight can dig into the incision line, cause skin breakdown or leave deep grooves that are painful for hours. Too loose, and it does nothing. Rolled edges at the breast fold are the commonest culprit for irritation in reverse procedures, so smoothing the seam each time you dress is a small habit that pays off. If the garment causes numbness in the arms, sharp pain, or a visible change in skin color, take it off and call the team rather than pushing through.

Incision care when the scar sits under the breast fold

A wound in a skin fold faces two challenges a bikini-line scar does not: warmth and moisture. The crease under the breast traps sweat and the skin surfaces rub against each other, which is why careful, unglamorous hygiene matters more here than with almost any other cosmetic incision.

Follow your team’s instructions first; they know how the wound was closed. Some surgeons use dissolving stitches with surgical glue or tape over the top, others use staples or sutures that need removal at around one to two weeks. MedlinePlus advises leaving surgical dressings in place for as long as instructed, washing hands before touching the area, and avoiding soaking the wound in a bath or pool until the surgeon says it has sealed. Most people are allowed brief showers within a few days, letting water run over the area without scrubbing, then patting dry with a clean towel.

Keeping the fold dry between showers is the reverse-specific step. A clean, soft, folded piece of cotton gauze tucked into the crease absorbs sweat and stops skin-on-skin friction. Change it whenever it feels damp. Avoid powders, ointments and home remedies unless the team has approved them; some can trap bacteria or soften the healing edge.

Watch the whole length of the incision, not just the middle. The ends, where the scar curves toward the side of the chest, take the most tension and are the commonest place for a small area to open. A little clear or slightly pink fluid on the dressing in the first week is normal. Thick, cloudy or foul-smelling drainage, spreading redness, or a wound edge that gapes are not, and the CDC lists these among the signs of a surgical site infection that need prompt assessment.

Upper tummy tuck scars: how they mature and what fades

Every reverse tummy tuck leaves a permanent scar. It runs along each breast crease and, depending on how much skin was removed, may join in the middle beneath the sternum. Mayo Clinic is straightforward on this point for all abdominoplasty: scars fade over time but never disappear completely.

Understanding the biology helps set expectations. In the first few weeks the scar is a thin, pinkish line held together by fresh collagen. Between roughly six weeks and three months it often becomes redder, firmer and slightly raised as the body lays down more collagen than it ultimately needs. This is the stage that alarms people, and it is normal. From about three months onward the body remodels that collagen, and the scar gradually flattens and pales toward skin tone. Mayo Clinic notes that full scar maturation can take a year or more.

Two things influence the final look that you can control. Sun exposure on a young scar darkens it, sometimes permanently, so covering the line or using a broad-spectrum sunscreen once the wound has sealed is standard advice. Tension pulls scars wider; that is one reason surgeons ask you to avoid reaching high overhead and heavy chest work in the early weeks.

Some people form thick, raised scars called hypertrophic scars or, less commonly, keloids, which grow beyond the original wound edge. Darker skin tones and a personal or family history of such scars raise the likelihood. Silicone sheets or gels, pressure and, for troublesome scars, injections by the surgeon are the usual management options. Evidence for over-the-counter creams and oils is weak, so treat glowing claims with skepticism and ask the team before applying anything.

Drains, swelling and the first two weeks at home

The first fortnight is when recovery feels like a full-time job. Two features dominate: fluid and fatigue.

Drains, if used, are thin tubes exiting the skin near the incision ends, attached to small bulbs that hold suction. They remove the fluid that seeps from raw tissue and reduce the chance of a seroma, a pocket of clear fluid that can collect under the skin. Your team will show you how to empty and record the output; they usually remove the drains once volume drops below a threshold they set, often within the first week or so. Not every surgeon uses drains; some rely on internal stitches and compression instead. Both approaches are accepted practice.

Swelling behaves in a way that surprises people. It often looks worse on day three than day one, because inflammation builds after the initial trauma. It also moves. Gravity pulls fluid downward, so the lower abdomen and even the pubic area may puff up despite being untouched. The NHS notes swelling after tummy tuck can persist for months, so judging the result in week two is like judging a cake while it is still in the oven.

Fatigue is the quiet companion. General anesthesia, disrupted sleep and the metabolic effort of healing leave many people needing an afternoon rest well into the second week. Planning for that, rather than fighting it, tends to shorten the whole recovery.

Walking is the one thing you should do more of, not less. Short, frequent walks around the home from the first day lower the risk of blood clots and help swelling drain. The goal is movement, not distance.

Returning to lifting after a reverse tummy tuck: arms, chest and core

Lifting is the question people ask most and the one with the least tidy answer, because it depends on what the surgeon did inside. Here is the framework most teams work from.

The incision under the breast fold is under tension every time you raise your arms high or reach forward with load, because the skin of the chest and upper abdomen slides with those movements. Early on, that means avoiding anything that pulls the shoulders overhead or stretches the chest wall: hanging laundry, reaching a top shelf, pulling a heavy door.

Both the NHS and Mayo Clinic advise avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about six weeks after abdominoplasty. In practice, most surgeons break that into stages. In the first two weeks, lifting is limited to light household objects held close to the body, roughly the weight of a full kettle. Weeks two to four usually allow slightly more, still with the elbows low and nothing overhead. After the six-week review, progressive return to resistance training begins, starting with lower body and light upper body movements before adding chest presses, pull-ups or loaded overhead work.

Core exercise deserves its own caution. Even when the muscles have not been repaired, the skin and fat layer over them has been re-draped and the deep tissues are still knitting. Planks, crunches and any move that makes the abdomen bulge outward under pressure should wait for explicit clearance.

Small children are the hardest lift, because they wriggle and you cannot choose the angle. Sitting down first, having them climb to you, and using the legs rather than the trunk are the practical workarounds while the six weeks pass.

Reverse abdominoplasty recovery time compared with a standard tummy tuck

People often assume that because the reverse procedure removes less skin, recovery is trivially quick. That is half true. The biology of a long incision, swelling and scar maturation is identical. What differs is where the tension sits and whether the muscles were repaired.

Feature	Reverse tummy tuck	Standard tummy tuck
Incision location	Along the breast creases, sometimes joined at the midline	Low across the bikini line, hip to hip
Skin removed	Between navel and ribs	Between navel and pubic area; often full length
Belly button moved	Rarely	Usually
Muscle repair	Less commonly included	Often included
Movements to limit early	Overhead reaching, chest stretch, forward reaching with load	Standing fully upright, bending, twisting, coughing without splinting
Typical return to desk work	Similar range, about four to six weeks (NHS tummy tuck guidance)	About four to six weeks (NHS)
Compression garment	Supportive bra plus vest or high-waisted piece, about six weeks	Abdominal binder, about six weeks (NHS, Mayo Clinic)
Strenuous exercise and lifting	Around six weeks, surgeon-led progression	Around six weeks, later if muscles repaired

The columns look close because the guideline figures come from general tummy tuck evidence; there are no separate large studies quoting different recovery times for the reverse technique. Where people notice a real difference is comfort in the first week. Without muscle repair, coughing, laughing and getting out of a chair are usually less punishing. In exchange, the reverse patient has to think about their arms in a way the standard patient does not. Neither is easier across the board; they are simply different work.

Blood clots, infection and other risks: what the evidence actually shows

Cosmetic surgery carries the same fundamental risks as any operation, and honest recovery planning starts by naming them.

Blood clots are the risk surgeons worry about most. Deep vein thrombosis, a clot in a leg vein, can form when someone lies still for hours during and after surgery; if part of it travels to the lungs it becomes a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. Mayo Clinic lists clots among the recognized complications of abdominoplasty. Teams reduce the risk with compression stockings, calf pumps during surgery, early walking and, for higher-risk patients, a blood-thinning medicine given by injection for a period the surgeon decides. The NHS lists the warning signs of DVT as throbbing pain, swelling, warmth and red or darkened skin in one leg, usually the calf; sudden breathlessness or chest pain suggests a clot in the lung.

Wound infection is the second concern. The CDC describes surgical site infections as developing typically within thirty days of surgery, with signs including redness, pain, warmth, pus-like drainage and fever. The skin fold location adds moisture, which is why the hygiene steps earlier in this article matter.

Poor wound healing and tissue loss occur when blood supply to the skin edge is inadequate. Smoking, diabetes, and very tight closure raise the risk. Mayo Clinic also lists fluid accumulation (seroma), changes in skin sensation, and unexpected scarring as recognized complications.

Bleeding, anesthetic reactions and asymmetry round out the list. None of these are reasons to avoid surgery on their own, but they are reasons to have surgery with a properly qualified team in an accredited setting, to follow the recovery plan closely, and to know the red flags cold.

What are the potential downsides of a reverse tummy tuck, and what are the alternatives?

Beyond the medical complications, this procedure has a handful of downsides specific to its design that patients should weigh in advance.

The scar is the first. In a standard tummy tuck the line hides under underwear. Here it sits under the breasts, visible in many bras, bikinis and low-cut tops, and if the two sides join at the midline there is a short vertical or horizontal segment on the upper chest. People with little natural breast fold have less anatomy to conceal it.

The second is scope. The operation does not treat the lower abdomen. Someone who has excess skin above and below the navel may need a standard tummy tuck, a combined procedure, or two operations staged over time. Choosing the reverse approach because it sounds smaller can leave the main concern unaddressed.

Third, the result depends on stable weight. Mayo Clinic notes that significant weight change after any abdominoplasty can stretch the skin again.

Alternatives fall into three groups. Doing nothing is a legitimate choice; loose skin is a cosmetic concern, not a medical hazard. Non-surgical skin tightening using radiofrequency or ultrasound energy is marketed widely; the evidence shows modest changes in mild laxity and little effect on true skin excess after weight loss, so anyone promising a surgical result without surgery is overstating it. Finally, a standard or extended abdominoplasty remains the mainstream operation when laxity runs the full length of the abdomen.

The right option depends on where the skin excess sits, how much there is, and what scar a person can live with. That judgment belongs in an examination room with the treating team, not on a comparison page.

What people often get wrong about reverse tummy tuck recovery

Myths cling to cosmetic recovery like lint, and several of them cost people real comfort.

The first is that a smaller operation means a weekend recovery. The skin has still been lifted from the muscle across a wide area, and the NHS six-week framework applies. People who book a beach trip at three weeks usually regret it.

Second: tighter compression heals faster. It does not. Pressure that is firm and even is the goal; garments cinched to the last hook restrict breathing, damage skin at the fold and can even impair blood flow to the healing edge.

Third: the scar is the result. By week eight a scar often looks worse than at week two, because collagen is at its bulkiest. Mayo Clinic’s timeline of scars fading over a year or more is the one to hold in mind.

Fourth: if the incision is under the breasts, the arms are free. In fact the arms are the main source of tension on this particular scar, and lifting them overhead early is the most common way people widen it.

Fifth: numbness means nerve damage. Altered sensation is an expected consequence of lifting skin, listed by MedlinePlus among the effects of abdominal wall surgery, and it usually improves over months.

Sixth: a tummy tuck of any kind replaces weight management. The NHS is explicit that it is not a weight-loss treatment.

Last, the internet myth that a reverse tummy tuck is the hardest plastic surgery to recover from. There is no validated ranking of recovery difficulty across procedures. Operations combining long incisions with muscle repair or bone work are generally reported as more demanding; the reverse tummy tuck, often without muscle repair, does not usually sit at the top of anyone’s list.

Questions to ask your care team before and after surgery

A good consultation should leave you with fewer unknowns, not more. These are the questions that most often go unasked and later cause confusion.

• Where exactly will my scars run, and will the two sides join in the middle? Can you show me on my own skin?
• Will you tighten any muscle, and how does that change my pain and lifting restrictions?
• Will I have drains, and if so how are they removed and roughly when?
• What garment do you want me to wear, for how many hours a day, and for how many weeks?
• How should I care for the incision in the breast fold, and when can I shower or bathe?
• What is your plan for preventing blood clots, and does my medical history change it?
• What is your pain-relief plan, and who do I contact if it is not working?
• When can I drive, return to my specific job, and lift my children or pets?
• What is your staged plan for returning to exercise, and what exactly should I avoid until the six-week review?
• What scar management do you recommend, and when should it start?
• Who do I call after hours if something worries me, and what signs mean I should go straight to emergency care?
• If I am unhappy with the result, what is your approach to revision?

Write the answers down. Recovery brain is a real phenomenon; anesthesia, disrupted sleep and pain make it hard to remember verbal instructions. Ask for written aftercare guidance and keep it where you can see it. If two members of the team give different answers, ask them to reconcile it before you leave rather than guessing later. Every decision about your care, including when each restriction lifts, rests with the surgeon who performed the operation and knows what they did inside.

When to call your doctor: red-flag signs after a reverse tummy tuck

Most recoveries are uneventful, but the complications that matter are time-sensitive, and the difference between a minor problem and a serious one is often how quickly it is seen. Keep the team’s contact details somewhere you can reach them at three in the morning.

Contact your surgical team the same day if you notice spreading redness around the incision, warmth, thick or foul-smelling drainage, a wound edge that has opened, or a fever. The CDC lists these as signs of a surgical site infection, which is usually treatable when caught early. Call as well for a sudden new swelling that feels like a water balloon under the skin, which may be a seroma or bleeding, or for a garment that is causing skin breakdown you cannot resolve by adjusting it.

Seek emergency care immediately, without waiting for a callback, if you develop sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens when you breathe in, coughing up blood, a racing heart, or feel faint. These are the warning signs of a pulmonary embolism. The NHS lists the signs of a leg clot as throbbing pain, swelling, warmth and red or darkened skin in one calf or thigh; treat those as urgent too. Rapidly expanding, tight, painful swelling on one side of the abdomen or chest, especially with dizziness, can indicate active bleeding.

Also seek urgent help for uncontrolled pain despite following the prescribed plan, persistent vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down, or skin over the incision turning dusky, purple or black, which can signal compromised blood supply.

If something feels wrong and it is not on this list, call anyway. Surgical teams would far rather answer an unnecessary call than miss a necessary one.

Frequently asked questions

How painful is a reverse tummy tuck compared with a standard one?

Most people describe tightness across the lower ribs rather than deep muscular pain, because the reverse procedure less often involves muscle repair. The first three to five days are usually the most uncomfortable, and Mayo Clinic notes that pain and swelling are expected in the days after any abdominoplasty. Your surgeon sets the pain-relief plan; altered sensation and numbness are common and usually improve over months.

How long is reverse abdominoplasty recovery time?

About six weeks for the main recovery, according to NHS guidance on tummy tucks, which applies to the reverse technique as well. Desk work often resumes at four to six weeks, driving once braking is painless, and strenuous exercise and heavy lifting after roughly six weeks. Swelling can persist for months and scars keep fading for a year or more, so the visible result arrives slowly.

How long do I wear a reverse tummy tuck compression garment?

The NHS and Mayo Clinic both describe wearing a compression garment for about six weeks after a tummy tuck. Many surgeons ask for round-the-clock wear in the first two to three weeks and daytime wear after that, but the schedule is set individually. For the reverse technique the garment is usually a supportive bra combined with a vest or high-waisted piece; even, comfortable pressure matters more than tightness.

What do upper tummy tuck scars look like long term?

They form a permanent line along each breast crease, sometimes joined at the midline beneath the sternum. Mayo Clinic notes scars fade over time but never disappear. Expect the line to look redder and firmer around two to three months, then flatten and pale over a year or more. Sun protection and avoiding tension on the chest during early healing help the final appearance.

What is the hardest plastic surgery to recover from?

There is no validated ranking, and difficulty depends on the person as much as the procedure. Operations combining long incisions with muscle repair, multiple areas or bone work tend to be reported as more demanding. A reverse tummy tuck, which often does not include muscle tightening, is usually described as less punishing in the first week than a full abdominoplasty, though it brings its own arm and chest restrictions.

When can I lift my child after a reverse tummy tuck?

Most teams limit lifting to light objects held close to the body for the first two weeks and advise avoiding heavy lifting for about six weeks, in line with NHS and Mayo Clinic guidance for abdominoplasty. Children are hard because they wriggle and pull on the chest. Sitting down first, letting them climb to you and using your legs are practical workarounds until your surgeon clears progressive lifting.

What are the potential downsides of a reverse tummy tuck?

The scar is visible in many bras and swimwear, and can be harder to hide with little natural breast fold. The operation does not treat the lower abdomen, so people with full-length laxity may need a different or combined procedure. Recognized surgical risks include blood clots, infection, seroma, poor wound healing and changes in sensation, as Mayo Clinic lists for abdominoplasty. Results depend on stable weight.

Can I shower with the incision under my breasts?

Usually within a few days, once your surgeon confirms the wound has sealed. MedlinePlus advises following dressing instructions, washing hands before touching the area, letting water run over rather than scrubbing, and patting dry with a clean towel. Avoid soaking in baths or pools until cleared. Because the fold traps sweat, tucking a soft dry gauze into the crease between showers helps prevent irritation.

Is swelling in my lower belly normal after a reverse tummy tuck?

Yes, it is common. Gravity pulls fluid downward, so the untouched lower abdomen and even the pubic area often puff up in the first weeks. Swelling frequently looks worse on day three than day one and, according to the NHS, can take months to settle fully. A sudden, one-sided, tight or painful swelling is different and should prompt a call to your team.

What signs after a reverse tummy tuck mean I need emergency care?

Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens on breathing in, coughing up blood or feeling faint can signal a clot in the lungs and need immediate emergency care. The NHS lists throbbing pain, swelling, warmth and red or darkened skin in one leg as signs of a deep vein thrombosis. Rapidly expanding painful swelling, dusky skin over the incision, or high fever also need urgent assessment.

References

• NHS – Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Recovery and what to expect
• MedlinePlus – Abdominal wall surgery
• MedlinePlus – Surgical wound care
• NHS – Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms and when to get help

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.