Most patients require 1 to 2 weeks of dedicated recovery time ("downtime") away from work, followed by a gradual return to full activity over 6 weeks. I strongly advise against viewing your recovery as an inconvenience; it is a critical phase for wound healing, and especially for the stability of your muscle repair.

The First 7-14 Days Are the Most Important

1. Sleeping and Posture: Expect significant tightness. You will likely have to walk slightly hunched during this time to relieve tension on the repair and incisions. You may also experience some back pain due to this temporary change in posture. Lying on your side can be uncomfortable so sleeping flat on your back with some pillows to prop yourself up slightly, as well as under your knees (imagine sleeping on a beach chair) is suggested.

2. Pain relief: regular paracetamol (with/without codeine, so some laxatives may be required) and/or NSAIDs will be required during this period. It is important that you also rest at home but with gentle walking about during this time, rather than purely lying in bed otherwise there is an increased risk of blood clots.

3. Wound care & dressings: the incision will be protected with specialised dressing tape at the end of surgery, and should be kept dry for at least 7 days, up to when you come back for your early post-operative review. Stitches used are all internal and self-dissolving so no stitch removal is required. Thereafter, you can get in the shower but make sure to dry the wound and reapply the dressings as necessary. Soaking in the bath, pool or jacuzzi is not allowed for at least 4 weeks as the wounds have not completely sealed. It is not uncommon for the incision and umbilicus wounds to take longer to heal than other surgical wounds. This is due to the maximal tension in the central part of the incision. Once all the wounds have healed and dressings are no longer required, silicone scar gel and scar massage can be initiated, generally from about 4 weeks.

4. Compression garments and clothing: this is measured specific to your size and fitted at the end of your surgery. While the weather in Singapore is not the most forgiving, it is very important that you wear them day and night for the first 6 weeks. This is to minimise swelling, the risk of seroma (fluid collection) formation, and helps shape your outcomes especially when liposuction is performed concurrently. If the compression garment becomes too uncomfortable on your skin, it is ok to wear them over clothing such as a T-shirt. You will receive two garments, so that one can be washed when soiled, and the other can be worn. After 6 weeks, you can generally transition to wearing them only at night, up to 12 weeks. During this period, avoid tight clothing (even belts) as that may mould your tummy incorrectly.

5. Exercise and activities: as mentioned above, gentle mobilisation at home for the first 2 weeks is important to minimise the risk of blood clot formation. Light activities can then be built up gradually towards normal activities (e.g. housework) by 6-8 weeks. Vigorous sports and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 12 weeks.