The Day Before Your Tummy Tuck Drink plenty of fluids containing electrolytes (Gatorade, Smartwater, etc.) during the day. The evening before your surgery eat a high protein and low fat dinner such as a grilled chicken salad. Set out a few comfortable outfits to wear over the next several days.
On the day of your surgery, wear a loose-fitting outfit that is easy to get in and out of. Make sure your top doesn't require you to lift your arms overhead and your bottom easily accommodates your bandages, garment, and any initial post-surgical swelling: Comfortable, soft underwear.
The best sleeping position after tummy tuck surgery is on your back with your upper body elevated to create a slight bend or angle. Using pillows or sleeping in a recliner is ideal to achieve this position.
The first three to five days are the most difficult period of tummy tuck recovery. You will spend much of this time reclining – often even sleeping in a recliner. During this first week when the pain is most severe, Dr.
Bed rest is recommended for the first 2 days after your tummy tuck procedure. On day 3, activity is encouraged but should be limited.
You will require a week of rest, this will typically be bed rest. You will wear a compression garment in order to provide support to the skin, reduce swelling, as well as dressings on the incision site.
As part of the recovery process, patients will need to hunch or bend over at the waist when walking for about a week after a tummy tuck. This is a temporary precaution, although an understandable concern of prospective patients.
There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week.
Toilet Seat Booster
Generally, toilets are fairly low to the ground and we don't realize this until some part of our legs, pelvis or core is sore. After a tummy tuck, getting low enough to sit down on the toilet can be difficult and uncomfortable. A toilet seat booster may just be your new best friend.
The tummy tuck is very useful when exercise and diet have failed to tighten the abdominal muscles. However, a tummy tuck is not really designed to make you look “thinner.” Rather, the tummy tuck improves the muscle profile of the abdomen, which in turn can have the effect of making you look more fit and toned.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
Avoid abdominal exercises and strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 6 to 8 weeks. For 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain.
One of the most crucial things you can do for your body after a tummy tuck is rest. Your body has gone through major surgery and need to spend its energy on healing. As you rest, your body can concentrate on this important task. After a tummy tuck, you'll need extra sleep.
Since you cannot sleep on your stomach after your tummy tuck, you may be wondering what comfortable, safe sleeping position is right for you. Surgeons often recommend sleeping on your back while recovering from a tummy tuck, but you may be able to sleep on your side a few weeks after surgery.
Drains are usually placed by your plastic surgeon at the end of your tummy tuck surgery. They are left in place anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after tummy tuck surgery. Most of my patients have their drains removed about 1 week after their operation.
A tummy tuck can result in a weight loss of approximately four pounds. If you opt for a mini truck, you can expect to lose around three pounds of excess skin and fat. If you opt for an extended tuck, you can expect to lose around five pounds of excess skin and fat.
If you undergo tummy tuck, breast reduction, or a body lift, we may place a drain after surgery. If you have a drain, it is best to take sponge baths while you heal. Fill a clean basin with warm water and soap, and use a soft sponge or washcloth to clean the body, being sure to gently clean around the treatment site.
Whether you're contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you'll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.
In general, pain is mild to moderate after a tummy tuck. Rarely, pain or sensory abnormalities can persist for months or even years after the procedure. If your pain is severe or persistent, you should tell your healthcare provider.
Be aware of “red flags.” If you experience shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or chest pain, these could indicate complications. Also, if you notice an increase in redness, pain, swelling, drainage or bleeding, or if you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness or fever, call your surgeon immediately.