Undergoing a tummy tuck is a popular and effective way to tighten the abdominal muscles and rid the body of excess skin and fat. A tummy tuck is perfect for patients trying to remove a belly pooch as well as stubborn fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise from the abdomen and belly. And while a tummy tuck is a safe and common procedure, it is still surgery that requires a recovery period following the procedure.
A full recovery from tummy tuck surgery will take some time and diligence from the patient. During this time, especially in the days immediately following your procedure, it’s essential that you follow the recovery instructions laid out by your cosmetic surgeon. That’s why I’m happy to make a few suggestions of things you can do following your tummy tuck to help aid your recovery and long-term tummy tuck results.
Following these recommendations can help you recover after tummy tuck surgery and help contribute to excellent, long-lasting results:
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Maintaining a stable bodyweight before and after your tummy tuck is crucial to your recovery. During recovery from surgery, your body needs certain nutrients to help rebuild strength and heal properly. A healthy, balanced diet will also help keep off excess weight following your procedure, which can help you preserve your results long-term. So be aware of what you should eat (and what foods you should avoid) before and after your tummy tuck.
Arrange for Assistance
You will likely be sore in the days immediately following your tummy tuck and your mobility will be dramatically decreased. I recommend arranging some assistance to help you get around the house. Additionally, you will likely need help rising from a reclined or lying down position for the first few days, including when you need to go to the bathroom. Though walking will be difficult at first, it’s important to try to walk (or shuffle) as much as possible in the days immediately following your tummy tuck to prevent potential blood clotting.
Drink Lots of Water
Constipation after surgery due to prescribed pain medications is not uncommon. Many surgeons will recommend a mild stool softener to help with this. But high water consumption can assist your digestive tract and help flush out residual medications from your system. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can help with bloating and other distress after surgery.
Wear your Compression Garment
I advise all my patients to wear a compression garment around the abdomen after a tummy tuck. The point of the compression garment is to wrap the area after surgery and help both in healing and managing the post-surgery swelling. The more diligent you are about wearing your garment, the more manageable your swelling will be.
With these suggestions in mind, I hope you will consider a tummy tuck at Southern Plastic Surgery. I use the Scarpa fascia technique that I developed for tummy tucks to help my patients achieve a shapelier waistline and a flatter stomach. Just remember that the more attentive and mindful you are of your behaviors after your procedure, the more satisfying your results will be. For more information on tummy tucks, please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman at Southern Plastic Surgery today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more news and updates.