How to Maximize Your Tummy Tuck
- Posted on: Jun 30 2021
The tummy tuck process can seem intimidating. It may feel like forever between the day of surgery and the day you get to see and feel the full benefit of your procedure. Our team is committed to making every patient’s experience as easy and fruitful as possible. We assure our tummy tuck patients that they will feel like themselves again just a few weeks after their procedure. Here, we discuss some of the things you can do to get the most out of your tummy tuck and, while you’re at it, streamline your recovery.
Post Tummy-Tuck Diet and Exercise
Patients scheduled for a body contouring procedure are often well aware of the need to eat a healthy, balanced diet after surgery. The thought-process is that a healthy diet and exercise routine helps maintain results. That’s true, but we have a different angle to discuss. Surgery of any kind is traumatic to the body. As a result of a tummy tuck, a patient may experience bloating, gassiness, or excess fluid retention. What they eat during recovery can either alleviate these side effects or exacerbate them. We suggest eating foods low in sodium and avoiding carbonated beverages for a few weeks.
Understandably, patients who have a tummy tuck want to engage in physical activity to keep their midsection smooth and firm. However, this must wait. For the first four weeks after abdominoplasty, patients are advised to walk only enough to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs. No long walks through Central Park, and no lifting even lightweight objects. Just rest.
Managing the Inevitable Bumps in the Road
Many patients worry about the recovery process after abdominoplasty. While we won’t say it’s intolerable (it totally isn’t), we also don’t want to make it sound glamorous. Surgical recovery can come with some unexpected complexities. A cosmetic procedure like a tummy tuck is no exception. Patients can feel more confident knowing that prescription pain medication significantly improves comfort. They also need to know, though, that their post-surgical medication may make them groggy. It is necessary to have assistance with most things, including going to the bathroom. And on that note, patients should also be prepared to treat constipation. This side effect is not uncommon to abdominal procedures, nor to prescription pain medications. Taking a laxative can be immensely helpful.
We want every patient to be fully informed about the complexities of their surgery and recovery period so they can make the most of their experience. If you would like to know more about the tummy tuck procedure, call our NYC office at (212) 508-0000 and schedule a consultation.
Posted in: Tummy Tuck
