Tummy Tuck Before and After Care For Proper Healing

An abdominoplasty is a great cosmetic surgery for those wanting to put a finishing touch on a figure, and while there may be plenty of information available concerning what to expect from the results or describing how the surgery is done, the aspects of before and after care of a tummy tuck are just as important. If you do not properly heal, you may lose optimal results.

If you are scheduled for the procedure, you have probably gotten plenty of suggestions from your doctor about preparation and healing. Sometimes, however, patients are focused on the results and toss aside vital information. Prior to surgery, you should be at a healthy and desired weight. This is not a weight loss surgery, it is a sculpting procedure, and, thus, you should not expect the doctor to do the hard work for you. Going into an abdominoplasty, you should be consuming a healthy diet. Lots of water is always helpful when preparing and recovering as well.

When undergoing pre-operation appointments, be forthcoming about your medical history and your medication consumption. When your surgeon has this accurate information about you, he can take care of you better. It may be necessary to stop or change some medications prior to the procedure. Afterward, you will be given pain medication and antibiotics along with information regarding the reinstatement of those meds that you may have ceased prior to your tummy tuck.

The healing process is the most important and sometimes the most overlooked aspect of any surgery. Remember that even though abdominoplasty is elective and cosmetic, it is still a major surgery, and it should be taken seriously. You will experience fatigue, soreness, tenderness, and even some numbness in the area and surrounding areas of the incision and procedure. It will be necessary to wear loose, non-constrictive clothing for awhile following to allow comfort and proper healing. Cushioning the area while you sleep is also necessary. You will find that once you have the surgery that sleeping is not necessarily a calm activity. Protecting a healing incision and surgical sight is an important part of healing.
It will take time to regain strength for regular activities including standing for a long period time. Exercise will probably be out of the question for a least six weeks, and stretching activities such as yoga and Pilates may be off limits for even longer.

Following the before and after plans for a tummy tuck are very important steps for obtaining optimum results. Be sure to clarify any questions or concerns with your doctor, and err on the side of caution when it comes to healing.