Posted November 04, 2021 in Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
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In our life journey, we all experience significant body changes that often leave undesirable physical attributes.
For many women, the abdomen’s core muscles often separate during pregnancy and childbirth. The abdominal skin becomes overstretched and unable to retract, and stubborn pockets of fat develop, which seem determined to stay.
In these cases, an experienced plastic surgeon can help you regain your tone and a youthful silhouette with a tummy tuck.
During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will take you through all the necessary pre-op requirements. But here is a recap of what you need to know before your surgery.
Following a healthy lifestyle before your tummy tuck can help improve recovery and your results afterward.
Tummy Tuck Dos and Don’ts
What to Do Before Your Tummy Tuck
- Establish a strong support system: An abdominoplasty(tummy tuck) requires a relatively long recovery period (compared to other plastic surgery procedures). Therefore, it’s vital to arrange to have family or friends who can devote some time and effort to help you run your household affairs in the days after the procedure.
- Keep open communication with your cosmetic surgeon: Share all your concerns, expectations, relevant health information, and lifestyle habits with your plastic surgeon.
- Eat a clean and healthy diet: It’s prudent to consume fruits, vegetables, water, and a high protein diet even months before your procedure. Continue the same diet even after your surgery.
- Discontinue certain medications: Before your surgical procedure, stop taking any medications that thin the blood. You must, however, inform your prescribing doctor before discontinuing this medication to be sure it is safe to do so.
- Monitor your health closely: Talk to your plastic surgeon if you develop any signs of illness, such as colds and infections, before the procedure.
What Not to Do Before Your Tummy Tuck
- Don’t use narcotics or tobacco. Discontinue tobacco use at least a month before your surgery. Smoking and other forms of narcotic use increase your risk of complications and lead to poor healing.
- Avoid crash diets and other quick weight loss activities: It is vital to have a stable and healthy weight over a long period before your procedure.
- Avoid or minimize your alcohol intake: Entirely avoid alcohol for at least two weeks before your procedure and several weeks afterward. Alcohol can mess with how your body responds to anesthesia and affect blood clotting.
- Avoid herbal supplements: Herbal medication could interact with anesthesia to complicate your surgery. Herbal medicines may further interfere with your blood clotting and destabilize your blood pressure.
- Don’t go to the surgery alone: Plan to have someone drive you to and from the hospital. Additionally, arrange to have an extra hand to run your household during your post-op recovery period.
With proper preparation and ensuring your procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, getting a tummy tuck can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ve ever made.
A tummy tuck can improve your general health, contour your figure, eliminate stubborn fat and skin, and tone your abdomen.
What Does a Tummy Tuck Look Like?
If you are considering a tummy tuck, you are eager to learn what types of physical benefits it allows for. Check out our tummy tuck before and after gallery to see how Dr. Messa has helped his previous abdominoplasty patients.
Interested in a Tummy Tuck? Don’t Wait!
To schedule a consultation or learn more about tummy tuck surgery, contact Dr. Charles Messa at Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center today. Call us at (954) 659-7760 or (877) 250-8117, or fill out our online contact form.
