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.
Answer: Exercise Before Tummy Tuck ...
There is nothing wrong with exercising prior to a tummy tuck. Losing as much weight possible before the procedure will help give you optimal results. Often times the tummy tuck is being done because the abdominal muscles are weak, so exercising will not really help.
If you have a “mini tummy tuck” with a smaller incision, you'll likely need between one and three weeks of elevated sleeping. On the other hand, full-tummy tuck patients require about four weeks, with six weeks of limiting any strenuous exercise or lifting.
In short, the tighter the abdominoplasty, the longer a patient may walk with a bend at the waist. I believe most should walk straight within 2 weeks. Most return to the office in a few days with a 10 degree bend at the waist. However, this resolves with adequate pain control and skin relaxation.
Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
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.
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. This device can be purchased online and delivered to your home for your convenience.
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.
Clean gently with soapy water on a soft cloth. Use antibacterial soap to help prevent infection, but avoid putting soap directly in the wound. Adjust the spray of the shower head to the gentlest setting, or keep your incision area away from the spray. Air dry.
In general, the pain from a tummy tuck can be managed with over-the-counter medication, compression garments, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Typically, the surgeon injects a nerve block of pain medication into the transverse abdomens plane during a tummy tuck. This helps to minimize post-surgical pain.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
In the one to two days leading up to surgery, it's beneficial to get your body prepped with the necessary fluids. Drink those rich in electrolytes, such as Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or Smartwater. Eat high-protein, low-fat meals, such as grilled chicken salad, turkey meatballs, or fish dishes.
Answer: Rest Days
There is no reason to stop your normal exercise routine prior to surgery. I would not try anything new the day before for risk of muscle strain, but a normal exercise routine is completely fine.
When can I wear jeans after a tummy tuck? Most patients after tummy tuck surgery feel comfortable wearing jeans about 3-4 weeks after surgery. This gives time for the drains to be removed (if they were used), the incision to heal and some of the swelling to go down.
In the first week after tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella recommends patients take short walks of 10 minutes, gradually increasing this to one mile, twice daily by days 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Many tummy tuck patients choose to sleep in a recliner during recovery, which perfectly situates their body in a safe position. If a recliner is not possible or comfortable, U-Shaped body and neck pillows will give you the foundation to sleep correctly in your bed.
Answer: Postop fatigue for number of days after abdominoplasty is common. After surgery the body investors energy in healing the operative site. Patients often feel listless and require excess sleep. Sleep is much as you wish but you should but periodically to exercise the extremities.
– Is drain removal painful? Patients may experience a pulling or pressure sensation, however there is generally no pain experienced during drain removal. Drain removal takes only a few seconds. The stitch securing the drain in place is first removed followed by gentle removal of the drainage tube.
Drainage will gradually taper following tummy tuck surgery. It will initially appear bloody over the first few days. Drainage will darken over time as bleeding stops and old blood is drained from the surgical site. The fluid then gradually changes to a clear yellow or pink-tinged hue, which is omaous drainage.
Usually, your first drain can be removed within two weeks from your tummy tuck. However, your second drain is typically left in until the fluid being drained is less than about 30 mL per day for 24 hours. That's a common rule of thumb, but your surgeon may have other criteria.
However, pain associated with coughing and sneezing may last for three to six months following surgery. For this reason, we generally recommend that patients splint their abdominal muscles whenever they're sneezing or coughing.