How to Recover from a Tummy Tuck

An abdominoplasty, also commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a popular cosmetic surgery that has proved to be an effective way of losing stubborn belly fat and shaping it into a youthful, trim figure. What you might not hear as much about, though, is that recovery from a tummy tuck procedure can be a daunting process. Numerous factors determine the effectiveness of the recovery process. Things like the level of activity you engage in before and after the surgery, dietary habits, immune response, etc.

Though many plastic surgeons use the latest technologies and devise new surgical techniques that reduce tummy tuck recovery time, complications during recovery can happen. That is why you must follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter throughout the recovery period. Here are some things you can do to make your tummy tuck recovery successful.

Get Enough Rest

Before you go for the surgery, you should prepare your recovery area and ensure everything is in the right place to limit movement during recovery. Allow your body to rest for at least two weeks. Resting also means avoiding stress and getting enough sleep. When sleeping, put a pillow below your knees and head to relieve discomfort. Do not try and be a hero and go bounding out of bed, ready to take on the world. You have to recover completely. We promise you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Avoid Rigorous Activities

Even if you are a fitness enthusiast, this is not the time to work out. While it is advisable to walk a few steps around the house, you should avoid strenuous physical activities for at least a month or two after your abdominoplasty. Ideally, think about walking a few steps while standing upright to start. This exercise improves blood circulation in the body, especially the tummy area that needs to heal.

Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes

Avoid alcohol and nicotine throughout the recovery process because both are known to delay the healing process. It would be best if you also tried to minimize sodium intake during this period because it is known to slow down the healing process.

Follow Doctor’s Prescription Religiously!

After the surgery, your doctor will probably prescribe several antibiotics and anticoagulants that you are supposed to take for a certain period during recovery. Make sure you take your meds as prescribed and adhere to all other instructions given to you by the doctor. These instructions may include information on how you should go about cleaning the wounds and how to apply any topical cream around the incision site.

Your doctor will be doing regular follow-ups to monitor your recovery. Sometimes you may be required to go to the hospital for checkups.