How painful is excess skin removal surgery?

During recovery

After surgery to remove excess skin, you may feel discomfort or pain during the first 7–10 days. Many people describe it as a sensation of soreness, tightness and pulling in the treated area. How strong that sensation is depends on how extensive the procedure was and which parts of the body were operated on (for example the stomach, thighs or arms). Certain movements can make the pain more noticeable, particularly when stretching or when you use your core muscles.

Which movements can hurt?

Some movements can hurt more than others during the recovery phase. Here are a few movements that some people describe as particularly uncomfortable:

• Bending forwards (after a tummy tuck or lower body procedures)

• Reaching upwards (after an arm lift or breast lift)

• Twisting your upper body (after a tummy tuck or back lift)

• Sitting down in or getting up from a low chair (after procedures on the lower body)

• Lifting and carrying children or heavy objects

Reducing the pain and making daily life easier

By planning ahead you can make your recovery a little more comfortable and less painful. Here are five good tips:

• Ask for help. In the first week it can be hard to dress yourself, cook or shower. Ask a friend or family member to help out.
• Create a comfortable place to recover. Set up a comfortable space with pillows, blankets and everything you might need close at hand, such as water, snacks, medication and your phone.
• Use practical aids. Tools such as grabber tongs (for reaching things) and reclining armchairs (so you can sleep in a more upright position) can reduce the strain on the surgical area.
• Prepare meals in advance. Cook and freeze meals before your surgery so you do not have to cook during the first few days. That way you avoid lifting saucepans, frying pans or shopping bags.
• Avoid exertion. Heavy lifting, exercise and intense movement should be avoided for at least 4–6 weeks, depending on which operation you have had. Follow the instructions from your surgeon.

During the operation

You feel no pain during the procedure itself because it is carried out under general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist is present throughout the operation and makes sure you are fully asleep, so that you are neither aware of what is happening nor feel anything.

After the operation you wake up from the general anaesthetic in a recovery room, and it is common to feel dizzy or groggy. You are also given painkillers from the very start, and before you are discharged or moved to another ward the care team makes sure you have the pain relief you need.

In some cases a local anaesthetic is also prescribed for the surgical area to ease the pain in the first few hours after you wake up.

Managing the pain with Adoreal

With Adoreal you can prepare for surgery more easily, get tips on how to manage the pain and plan for a smooth recovery. With personal support and access to some of the country's best clinics for excess skin removal, you can feel confident both during and after your operation.