Hydration is essential following a tummy tuck. The human body is made from 70% water, so it cannot function properly if it is dehydrated. You may think that drinking more fluid will worsen swelling, but it can help by flushing out your system. Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water per day to stay fully hydrated.
Patients need to remember to drink a lot of water after their tummy tuck surgery. Patients should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Swelling is a normal part of tummy tuck recovery, and while most of it resolves within the first 2 months, some residual swelling can last for 6 months to a year.
First and foremost, drink plenty of water! Water serves a lot of functions in the body and will be particularly good to reduce swelling after surgery.
Applying an ice pack or cold compress to the treatment area. Keeping the area that was operated elevated. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers to deliver cold to the affected area. Apply cold several times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time to help keep swelling down, especially in the first several days after an injury.
During the first 4-6 weeks following surgery, patients will experience the most amount of swelling after a tummy tuck.
You can expect swelling after tummy tuck surgery to occur over the first few days with a peak at days 3-5. A significant amount of your swelling and/or bruising will come down by three weeks post op.
As with any other surgical procedure, swelling after tummy tuck is typical to occur in the lower abdominal area. Three weeks after surgery, most patients feel very swollen and even experience hardness around the belly button.
Reduced hydration also interferes with healing because the nutrients needed for healing cannot get to the wounds at the surgical site. Water helps our blood transport nutrients, and to transport waste away from the cells. After surgery, more fluids may be necessary because of wound drainage, as with liposuction.
You may shower 48 hours after surgery, but do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool. Soaking your wounds in water can expose them to bacteria and cause infection. You should not take baths for at least two weeks after surgery.
You should also not drink alcohol after your Tummy Tuck Surgery because alcohol does not mix well with the painkillers and it also decreases the effects of other medication you will be taking after the surgery. Most importantly, alcohol is a blood thinner which is the last thing you would want in the phase of recovery.
Does walking reduce swelling after abdominoplasty? Yes, undertaking very light walking in the first few weeks can help to reduce swelling and improve circulation.
Why Do Our Bodies Swell After A Tummy Tuck? Once surgery is complete, your body sends white blood cells and other healing compounds to the surgery site to jumpstart the recovery process. Increased fluids will cause the area to grow larger during the initial stages of healing.
Wearing compression garments that are too tight or too loose impairs healing and causes more harm than good. These garments should ideally provide adequate support to your abdomen's healing areas following liposuction or Tummy Tuck without causing you discomfort. It should snugly fit the new contours of your body.
You can massage the scars in the shower, with soap and water, and then again with moisturizing cream after you have showered. We suggest scar massage many times throughout the day for 5-10 minutes each session. It is important to strictly follow your post-operative tummy tuck instructions.
Swelling After Abdominoplasty Is Normal
This area is rich with blood vessels and lymphatic vessels (the body's drainage system), but abdominoplasty surgery will impair the regular functions of these systems, slowing down the drainage and resulting in a fluid buildup, or swelling.
Bed rest is recommended for the first 2 days after your tummy tuck procedure. On day 3, activity is encouraged but should be limited.
The first week of recovery is usually the most uncomfortable for tummy tuck patients. You can expect our abdomen to be swollen, bruised, and sore. Ice packs can help reduce the swelling, and pain medication will be prescribed to help with pain and soreness during recovery.
This is a completely normal and expected part of tummy tuck recovery, as well as nearly any surgical procedure, so don't be alarmed. Swelling after tummy tuck can last for several weeks, but there are some things you can do to help keep it under control. Three helpful ways to reduce tummy tuck swelling time include: 1.
You can also apply cold therapy systems such as ice packs or ice baths to injuries. Ice can constrict your smaller blood vessels and decrease blood flow. Ice can also provide relief by numbing the area.
As with any diet, fruits and vegetables are recommended, especially dark leafy greens. Other good foods include red onions, broccoli, pineapples and apples, and capers to decrease swelling faster. These provide your body with essential vitamins to help you heal and fight infection.