If you are thinking about having tummy tuck, it is essential to consider everything from the benefits to preparing for surgery to recovery and aftercare. In this post, board-certified plastic surgeon A.J. Khalil reveals a few tummy tuck secrets you may not be aware of.
You won’t lose a lot of weight.
Although you might lose a couple of pounds after tummy tuck, don’t expect your weight to change significantly. Tummy tuck isn’t about dropping pounds, it is about shaping and sculpting your abdomen so it looks flatter and firmer. For that reason, Dr. Khalil encourages you to be at or within a few pounds of your ideal body weight at the time of your tummy tuck.
Also, don’t be alarmed if you notice you temporarily gain a few pounds right after surgery. Water retention and swelling are to blame and should quickly subside.
You may notice an improvement in back pain.
Doctors have discovered that tummy tuck provides relief to some women who experience back pain after giving birth. Repairing weak or damaged abdominal muscles helps to provide greater support to the spine and back.
Another medical benefit is an improvement in urinary stress incontinence. Not only will you look better after tummy tuck, you will feel better, too!
You will need assistance after surgery.
Tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure, and you will be able to return home after surgery to recuperate. But plan for extra support and help in the days following surgery. Not only will you need assistance with childcare, cooking and cleaning, you will need some help getting in and out of bed or off the couch. Initially after surgery, your range of motion will be limited and you may have some trouble standing upright and moving around your house.
Much of the success of your recovery depends on not pushing your body too hard or too fast before it is ready. But don’t worry — you’ll be back to feeling like yourself in virtually no time at all.
Another secret to a smooth tummy tuck surgery is to prepare as much as you can, whether that’s making some freezer meals ahead of time that can be easily re-heated or doing laundry so you have clean linens and clothing. Prepare early so you can relax during your recovery.
Contact Us Today
If you have questions about tummy tuck or would like to discuss your treatment options with Dr. Khalil, we invite you to schedule an informational consultation today. Give us a call or contact us through our online form to request an appointment.
