Tummy tuck surgery is a cosmetic procedure intended to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, as well as tighten the muscles of the stomach. The procedure was originally designed to treat medical conditions, such as diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), but it has become increasingly popular among patients who are looking to improve their appearance.
Tummy tuck surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. It also can improve muscle tone and tighten stretched skin.
The surgery, which takes about two hours, is done under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. It’s done by making an incision below the belly button and removing fat, skin and tissue from underneath it. The surgeon then tightens the abdominal muscles and repositions the belly button.
If you’re considering a tummy tuck, it’s important to understand what to expect. Here are some tips for preparing for tummy tuck surgery:
Get a full physical exam
Before you schedule your tummy tuck consultation, you should get a complete physical exam with your primary care physician. Your doctor will check for any existing health conditions that may make surgery unsafe or need special precautions during recovery. He or she will also perform blood tests and take X-rays to make sure you don’t have any underlying medical problems that could cause complications after the procedure.
Avoid smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits you can have. It’s bad for your physical health, and it can also wreak havoc on your appearance. Smoking can damage your skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles. It also discolors your teeth and causes bad breath. If you’re planning to get a tummy tuck, you may want to consider kicking the habit before you have surgery. That way you’ll have a better chance of seeing the full results of your tummy tuck surgery in time. If you do smoke, try to quit at least six weeks before your surgery date so that you can achieve good results from your tummy tuck surgery.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol slows down healing and increases the risk of infection. You should avoid drinking alcohol for two weeks before your tummy tuck, as well as during recovery from surgery. If you’re going out for dinner and want a drink afterward, wait until after you’ve eaten to enjoy that glass of wine or cocktail with friends.
Eat healthy food
Eating healthy foods will give your body essential nutrients needed for healing. You should avoid salty foods or large meals before surgery because they can cause nausea and vomiting after the procedure. Aspirin should also be avoided since it can increase bleeding during surgery.
Get plenty of rest
You’ll need to get plenty of rest before having a tummy tuck because it can take several weeks for your body to recover from surgery. Plan ahead by booking a hotel room near the hospital where your procedure will take place so that you don’t have far to travel after surgery.
Stay stress-free
Stress can increase your risk of complications during and after surgery. It can also cause you to gain weight and lose muscle tone, which makes it harder to achieve the results you want from surgery. Try to avoid stress by getting plenty of rest and taking care of yourself before and after the procedure.
Know your medications.
Before your surgery, make sure that you have a list of all of the medications you take regularly. Even if you don’t think they’re important, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Also, let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medication or food, or any other health conditions. Your doctor will make sure that there are no possible interactions between your prescriptions and any new ones needed during recovery time.
Set clear expectations
Before you schedule your surgery, talk with your surgeon about what to expect from the procedure and recovery. It’s important to be realistic about the results you can expect. For example, if you have loose skin around your middle, a tummy tuck may not tighten it or make it firmer. However, if you’re not happy with the way your stomach looks or feels after any weight loss effort, a tummy tuck may help.
Talk with your doctors
Discuss the procedure with your general doctor, surgeon and other health care providers. They can give you advice on whether or not a tummy tuck is right for you. The procedure isn’t recommended for people who have certain medical conditions, such as heart disease. If you smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products, quitting is important before undergoing any type of surgery because nicotine can affect wound healing.
Arrange for help at home.
You’ll need someone to help you with errands and housekeeping duties for about a week after surgery, so plan ahead. Your doctor will recommend how soon you should return to work and what activities are safe during recovery.
Limit your sun exposure
The area where your tummy tuck will be performed will be sensitive to sunlight for several months after surgery, so avoid spending long periods in direct sunlight during this time. If you must go out in the sun, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day on your abdomen, chest, arms and legs (avoiding your face). Also avoid tanning beds during this period. If you have any questions about these recommendations, ask your doctor or surgeon before going outside.
Make sure you have a specific weight goal.
If you have too much excess skin, the surgeon may recommend that you wait until you reach a certain weight before having surgery. If this is the case for you, talk to your doctor about what would be an appropriate time frame for surgery.
Make a list of questions.
Think about anything that may be important to you, such as how long it will take, how much time you’ll need off work and whether there will be any pain after surgery. Make sure you have all your questions written down so that you don’t forget anything. If possible, ask someone else to go with you to ask the questions so that they can write down the answers too.
Start doing your research.
You should do your research before you decide on having a tummy tuck. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not this surgery is right for you. You can also use this time to determine how much it will cost and what kind of results to expect from the procedure.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps keep skin supple and healthy. It also keeps your digestive system working properly so you don’t experience constipation while recovering from surgery. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day before and after your tummy tuck procedure, but avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea — they can cause dehydration if consumed in excess.
Be Mentally Prepared
One of the most important things is to be mentally prepared for what lies ahead. After all, this is an extensive surgical procedure that will leave you with scars on your abdomen. But it’s also an excellent way to get rid of excess skin, fat and muscle tissue in your lower belly area — which can make you look better in clothing and improve your self-esteem.
Make sure your home is ready for you.
It’s important to get everything set up in advance, so that when you come home from surgery, everything is ready. Have someone else set up all of your furniture so that it can be easily reached without strain or pain. Make sure rugs and carpets are rolled up so they don’t trip over them when walking around the house in recovery mode.
Take care of personal hygiene
Before your surgery, get a haircut, shave or wax if necessary, and clean your teeth thoroughly with mouthwash. Also, take a shower or bath daily so that you’re clean on the day of surgery. This will make it easier for your surgeon to see things clearly during surgery.
