The procedure is usually done in general anesthesia but no long stay in the hospital is required. The patient typically goes home the next morning after surgery and the recovery period is about 2 week, during which the patients are allowed to practice most of their everyday activities, and only withholding of extensive physical activity. On the long term, after complete recovery, one goes back to their full activity and there are no restrictions in terms of exercise or allowed activities, even if they are extreme.

The scar produced by a tummy tuck is placed within the bikini (waist) line and is very easily covered with clothes or swimming suite, so even people you meet a lot would probably never know you did the surgery.