Tummy tuck is also known as ‘abdominoplasty’ because it involves removing excess skin and fat from your abdomen and tightening abdominal muscles.
One of the most important factors in successful tummy tuck surgery is following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions. Doing so will help you achieve a smooth and healthy recovery, as well as prevent complications such as infection and bleeding.
The tummy tuck procedure can be performed on women who have lost a lot of weight or those who have stretch marks from pregnancy. It’s an excellent way to tighten loose skin after giving birth.
A tummy tuck can also be performed on men who are looking to remove excess fat from their midsection.
The recovery period after a tummy tuck is usually between one and two weeks. You will need to take it easy during this time, but there are some things you can do to speed up the process.
The following tips can help you stay healthy during tummy tuck recovery:
1. Eat a healthy diet.
You will be very careful about what you eat after your surgery. Your doctor’s instructions are important, so follow them to the letter. In general, you’ll want to avoid raw vegetables, fruits, and meats for the first six weeks or so. You may also need to avoid certain spices and herbs. You should eat lots of high-protein foods like meats, fish, eggs and dairy products. These foods help build muscle tissue in your body and help you heal faster. You may be able to eat some soft foods after six weeks or so. Try eating mashed potatoes mixed with gravy or cream soup. Most people can start eating regular foods after about six months after their tummy tuck surgery.
2. Drink cheap plastic water bottles and fruit juice.
Drinking water helps flush out the toxins from your body after surgery. You should drink 1-2 liters of water a day until you are fully recovered. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks as they may cause gas in your abdomen which can cause discomfort. Fruit juices are also good for your health as they contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help boost your immune system and protect against infections during tummy tuck – abdominoplasty recovery. So drink plenty of fresh fruit juices while you are recovering from surgery.
3. Wear compression garment to reduce swelling and discomfort
A compression garment should be worn for at least 6 weeks after surgery. This garment will help reduce swelling and discomfort caused by fluid build-up in your body. If you have been prescribed a specific type of compression garment, please follow your doctor’s guidelines for wearing it properly.
4. Avoid exercise.
Exercise is good for your health, and it’s important for your physical fitness. But if you have just had a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or any other form of plastic surgery, it’s best to avoid exercise for at least six weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will give you specific guidelines on when it’s safe to start exercising again after tummy tuck surgery. For example, he or she may recommend that you wait until the incision has healed completely before starting any kind of physical activity — which could take up to nine months or longer. If your doctor gives you permission to start exercising before then, however, make sure you don’t overdo things and cause further damage or injury.
5. Don’t strain yourself.
The first few weeks of recovery may require some assistance from family members or friends. It may be necessary for them to assist you with lifting objects or getting out of bed. Strain on your abdomen can cause discomfort during the healing process and possibly lead to complications such as seroma or hernia formation.
6. Walk around as often as possible.
Walking helps with circulation and keeps the blood flowing to all parts of your body — including your abdomen. It also helps prevent constipation and swelling in the legs that can occur after surgery. If walking is painful, try using an arm crutch or a walker to help support yourself while moving around; these devices are available at most drugstores or medical supply stores.
7. Do not smoke during or after your Abdominoplasty recovery period.
Do not smoke during or after your Abdominoplasty recovery period because it will increase blood flow to the skin flap (the part of your skin used in the surgery), which makes it more likely to bleed excessively. If you smoke before having surgery, it will also increase your risk of infection and may cause other complications such as heart attacks or strokes due to decreased oxygen flow in the blood vessels of your heart muscle.
8. Get enough sleep
It may seem like a no-brainer, but getting enough sleep can help you recover from your tummy tuck. In addition to helping you feel refreshed and energized, adequate rest will also allow your body to heal more quickly. Keep in mind that an overnight stay at the hospital or recovery center is usually required following a tummy tuck procedure, so plan accordingly.
9. Do not rush your recovery
You should take at least 10 days off work or school following your tummy tuck surgery. If you are planning to have the procedure done during the summer months, start planning now so that you can take time off from work or school. In addition, plan ahead with your employer or school so they know when they will need to make arrangements for coverage during this period of time.
10. Avoid too much sun exposure
It’s important to protect yourself from the sun during your recovery period because it can cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on your skin where the incision is located. This condition usually goes away after about three months but may last longer for some people.
11. Relax and stay positive
After surgery, it is very normal for patients to experience pain, swelling or bruising in the area where they have undergone surgery. You should know that these side effects are temporary and will go away with time. You should relax as much as possible after surgery so that your body can start healing faster.
12. Take your pain medication as prescribed.
Pain medication is given at all postoperative visits, but it’s important to take it as directed by your doctor or nurse. Don’t stop taking it unless instructed by your health care provider. You should be able to walk around after just one day in the hospital, but it may be several days before you can drive or return to work.
13. Maintain your personal hygiene.
You should maintain your personal hygiene during this time by showering daily and changing your clothes regularly. Showering with warm water will help reduce swelling, so take care not to use cold water when showering. You should also refrain from shaving until after your stitches have been removed. The best thing that you can do is leave this task up to your doctor or nurse so that they can ensure proper healing after surgery.
14. Keep your incisions clean and dry.
After you are discharged from our office or hospital, it is important to keep your incisions clean and dry for several days. This can be difficult when you return home because most of us don’t like wearing clothes that show our stomachs. However, wearing loose-fitting clothing will help to keep your incisions from becoming infected and healing properly. If you shower or bathe at home, use a washcloth or sponge to gently wash over your incision lines without getting them wet. After showering or bathing, pat yourself dry with a towel rather than rubbing your skin with it.
15. Try massaging with oils.
You may have heard that oil is bad for your skin, but it’s actually really good for your tummy. A little bit of coconut oil or olive oil can help soothe and soften the skin, and the massage will loosen up your muscles a bit as well.
16. Pay attention to your body.
You’re going through a major surgery, and you won’t get back to normal overnight. You need to pay attention to how your body is feeling and give it time to heal. If you notice any redness or swelling around the incision site that doesn’t go away after a few days, contact your doctor.
17. Avoid alcohol.
Alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to discomfort and swelling. You should also avoid drinking alcohol for a few weeks before your surgery, since it may slow down your recovery time.
18. Use natural supplements.
Some supplements may boost your immune system and help prevent infection during tummy tuck recovery. For example, probiotics may help prevent yeast infections, which are common after an abdominoplasty surgery because of the changes in the body’s pH level.
19. Keeping Up With The Pain
Pain is normal after a tummy tuck procedure, but it should not be so severe that you can’t get out of bed or perform daily activities. If pain persists or becomes unbearable, contact your surgeon immediately.
20. Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
You and your surgeon should discuss what activities you can do during your recovery and when it’s okay to get back to normal activity. You may need help around the house during this time, especially if you have young children or pets. If you have a job where you sit at a desk all day, make sure you have some kind of exercise planned for after work — even if it’s just walking around the block or doing some light weight lifting at home.
21. Swelling Will Be A Big Part Of Your Recovery
One of the most common problems after tummy tuck surgery is swelling and bruising. This is due to blood clotting, which occurs when you lose a lot of blood during the procedure. Swelling usually begins around one week after surgery and lasts for about three weeks. It’s important not to massage or touch the area for at least two weeks after surgery, as this can lead to more swelling and bruising.
22. Sleep on your back.
Your doctor may suggest sleeping with a pillow under your knee for comfort. This helps keep fluid from accumulating in the lower part of your body after surgery, which can increase swelling and discomfort.
23. Avoid constipation
Constipation is the most common problem for patients during their tummy tuck recovery time. This is because the bowels tend to slow down after surgery, which can lead to constipation. Make sure you keep up with your water intake and eat foods high in fiber.
24. Use ice packs
Ice therapy is one of the best ways to reduce swelling and pain after surgery. Ice therapy can be applied by placing an ice pack directly on the skin or using a gel pack in between layers of clothing. The use of cold compresses has been shown to reduce bleeding and swelling after surgery by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow into the tissues surrounding them. This helps prevent excess fluid from accumulating in tissues which could lead to complications later on down the road if left untreated for too long. The use of cold compresses can also help reduce postoperative bruising by limiting bleeding in those areas as well.
