Your 6-Month Guide to Planning A Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that requires careful planning. Usually, it is recommended to start preparing for surgery six months in advance for a better outcome without complications.

This will also give you time to find the right surgeon, reach your ideal weight, and plan your aftercare.

Some people may not need the full six months to prepare, but it is important to ensure you have taken enough time to research, plan, and prepare.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the tummy tuck procedure from start to finish so you can feel confident and prepared for every step. The better prepared you are, the better your results will be.

Six Months Before Procedure

Six months may seem like a lot of time, but it is best to start preparing for tummy tuck surgery. This includes focusing on diet and exercise. Although a tummy tuck helps to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and achieve a flatter stomach, it is not a weight-loss surgery. An ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is near to their healthier weight. Therefore, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. It will also help in quick and smooth recovery.

Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit foods high in calories and low in nutrients. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol intake and quit smoking because smoking and alcohol can interfere with the healing process.

Also, you should start researching plastic surgeons for the procedure. Look for board-certified plastic surgeons with experience in the tummy tuck procedure. You can ask family, friends, colleagues, or relatives for recommendations or search online by visiting different websites or social media platforms. Check the surgeons’ education, qualification credentials and surgical specialties.

Four Months Before Procedure

You will be close to your ideal weight and fitness level at this time. This will help ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure, as it is recommended that patients be at or near a healthy weight before surgery.

Four months before surgery is the ideal time to schedule a consultation with a top-rated plastic surgeon. During this time, you will need to choose the board-certified plastic surgeon who is the best fit for you. You should feel comfortable discussing your goals, expectations, and concerns with them, and you should be confident that their recommendations align with your vision. You should also discuss your health condition,  the medication you are taking to avoid any complications and tummy tuck surgery cost.

Three Months Before Procedure

Now that you have selected the best plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck, it is time to prepare for your surgery and recovery. With your surgery date confirmed, you can request the necessary time off from work and secure the assistance you need at home. You should expect to be absent from work for at least two weeks or more, and you will need someone to drive you home from a tummy tuck procedure and stay with you or check on you frequently for the first few days afterward to take care of your pets and children.

You should also have quit smoking completely and continue with your healthy diet and exercise routine. By this point, you should be feeling excited about your upcoming transformation. Also, your doctor will ask you to stop certain prescription medications that may interfere with your recovery.

One Month Before Procedure

Your tummy tuck surgery date is approaching. Now is the time to start preparing your home for recovery so that you can feel comfortable. Choose a room on the ground floor to rest for the first few days. This will avoid the need to climb stairs. Your room should have a comfortable bed or sofa with plenty of pillows.

Make sure all your prescriptions are filled and that you have any over-the-counter pain medication you may need. Stock up on supplies you will need during your recovery. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will give you a list of items, including compression garments, gauze pads, and ice packs.

Also, have loose-fitting, comfortable clothes on hand. In the kitchen, stock up on healthy snacks and easy-to-make foods. If you can, make meals and freeze them so they’re easy to grab during your recovery.

One Week Before Procedure

Ensure all pre-surgery paperwork is completed, and contact your surgeon’s office or the surgical center or hospital if you have any questions. Cross-check and make sure all essential medications and household items are ready. Avoid taking medications that could interfere with blood clotting, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which can increase the tummy tuck surgery cost.

Get a good night’s sleep the night before surgery. Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before surgery.

On the Day of the Procedure

On the day of the procedure, arrive at the surgery centre on time for check-in and pre-operative tests. After that, you will be taken to the operating room. Your surgeon will give you anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain or discomfort; after putting you under anesthesia, your surgeon will make a small incision. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will lift the skin and fatty tissue away from the underlying muscles. The excess skin and fat will be removed, and the muscles will be tightened with sutures. The skin is then draped back over the abdomen and sutured in place.

24 hours after a tummy tuck procedure, you will likely be in the recovery room, where you will be monitored for any complications. You may have some pain and discomfort, but this should be manageable with medication. You will also have some swelling and bruising, which will subside over time.

Your board-certified plastic surgeon will place a bandage or dressing over your incision site. To remove excess fluid and blood, your surgeon may insert drainage tubes into your abdomen. These tubes will usually be removed within 24 to 48 hours.

Most people can go home within 24 to 48 hours after a tummy tuck surgery. However, some people may need to stay in the hospital longer if they have complications. Before discharge, your surgeon will give you instructions for quick and smooth recovery.

These instructions may include taking rest and prescribed medication, wearing compression garments, avoiding strenuous activities and attending follow-up appointments.

Recovery After Tummy Tuck Procedure

Recovery after a tummy tuck procedure can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as age, medical health, and the type of tummy tuck surgery.

Here are some specific things you can do to help your recovery after a tummy tuck procedure:

• Get a Planty of Rest: Your body needs time to heal after the surgery, so rest as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activity and lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first 6 weeks after surgery.
• Take your Prescribed Medications: You can have some pain or discomfort after the surgery, which is normal. However, you can manage it with prescribed pain medications.
• Wear Compression Garments: Wear a compression garment 24 hours a day for the first week after surgery. A compression garment will help reduce swelling and support your abdomen.
• Take Care of Your Incision: Keep your incisions clean and dry and cover them with a bandage. After 48 hours, you can shower but avoid soaking in the bathtub or swimming for three to four weeks after surgery. Avoiding incision care can increase the risk of complications and, thereby, tummy tuck surgery costs because a correction surgery may be required.
• Eat A Healthy Diet: A healthy diet will help your body heal and recover. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Walk for A Short Period: Walking can help reduce swelling and improve circulation. Start walking for short periods and gradually increase your daily distance.
• Avoid Bending at the Waist: Bending at the waist puts pressure on your incision. Instead, when you need to pick something up or reach for something, try to bend at your knees.
• Use a Pillow to Support Your Abdomen While Sleeping: Sleeping with a pillow under your abdomen can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions Carefully. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself during your recovery. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.
• Attend All Your Follow-up Appointments: Your surgeon may schedule several follow-up appointments to monitor your incision and recovery. Attend all these appointments.

Most people can return to work and their usual activities within 6 weeks after a tummy tuck procedure. However, it is important to listen to your body and rest when necessary. With proper care and attention, you should be able to fully recover from a tummy tuck procedure and enjoy your new results for years to come.

Take Away!

A tummy tuck procedure can be a life-changing surgery for many people including you. It can help you achieve a flatter abdomen and a more confident appearance. However, it is important to remember that any surgery has risks and potential complications. But with pre-planning, you can help ensure you have a safe and successful surgery and recovery.

If you are considering tummy tuck surgery, book your consultation with Dr Rajat Gupta, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Delhi. He will assess your condition and guide you through your entire procedure.