Tummy Tuck Recovery | How to Maximize Tummy Tuck Outcomes and Safety
The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is one of the most effective and popular plastic surgery procedures available for improving the look of your abdomen. Through skin and fat removal, liposuction, and the reshaping your body, the tummy tuck provides a flat, healthier looking belly that is certain to improve your self-confidence, especially after weight loss or pregnancy.
Dr. Agha is a world renowned expert in body contouring procedures such as various types of tummy tucks in Orange County, and has created his own pioneered high-definition tummy tuck procedure. His artistic vision and skilled hands can craft an abdomen that is enchanting on many levels. Yet it’s not just the surgery that is important – it’s also the recovery period, including how you care for yourself, how you care for the surgery, and more that affects the final outcome of your beautifully completed tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips and What to Expect
There are different types of tummy tuck surgery, so recovery time and care are going to be different depending on the type of surgery performed, and whether it was combined with other procedures. Make sure you take your post-operative care information seriously, as the tips and advice will improve outcomes and reduce distress and discomfort throughout the process. Because there are different types of tummy tucks, the information given by Dr. Agha may be different than the information below.
What to Expect Immediately After Surgery
Once the tummy tuck is completed, you should expect to feel a bit groggy from the surgery, which is why it is strongly recommended that you have a caregiver for the first 24 hours, to simply watch over you and help you with travel and basic needs. Most patients are generally able to care for themselves after a few days, but after such a significant procedure, it is better to have someone to assist you.
In the operating room, you will be placed into an abdominal binder or compression garment. This binder is to be worn for an average of 4 to 6 weeks, and only taken off for brief periods to shower, change clothes, etc. It should otherwise be kept on at all times. The purpose of this compression garment is to reduce swelling and close any of the “tunnels” in fat that were created via liposuction. From the moment you wake up in the recovery room, the compression binder will be on. You will also have drains that will be removed by the 14th day after surgery.
Possible Discomfort After Tummy Tuck Surgery
The first week after a tummy tuck is not uncommon to experience some discomfort. Nausea and soreness are to be expected, especially after the first few days. Dr. Agha can discuss medication options that are safe for reducing pain and nausea. You may be a candidate for a Pain Pump, which is a popular pain reduction tool used by Dr. Agha in his Orange County plastic surgery office.
The compression binder can also cause its own discomforts, which include trouble getting a deep breath and a feeling of tightness around the body. If these are significant problems, contact Dr. Agha to discuss options.
You should also expect swelling around the abdomen. It takes as long as 4 to 6 weeks for the swelling to subside, which will make it a bit harder to see results at first. Once the swelling goes away, it will become easier.
Start Strategies to Reduce Scarring and Risk
As soon as you get home, Dr. Agha will provide you with strategies and information to reduce complications and aid in healing. For example, it is important to start walking for about 100 yards every few hours the next day after surgery. This helps improve blood flow, and decreases some of the side effect of surgery.
You should also sleep propped up your back, and bend your legs slightly to reduce pressure on the abdominal incision. This method of sleeping will prevent you from pulling on the closed incision, which in turn may help reduce the likelihood of significant visible scarring. It is also recommended that you take a few weeks off work to give your body time to heal, and that you avoid any sports, activities, or situations that may raise your blood pressure or put your wound at risk, as these can cause bleeding that may lead to hematoma, and other recovery issues.
You will also be given information about Enhanced Recovery Nutritional Supplements. Dr. Agha is a firm believer that nutrition will help reduce complications and aid in recovery, including a reduction of scarring. These supplements will give your body some of the nutrients that they need in order to continue to heal effectively.
Attend All Follow Up Appointments
Finally, attending follow up appointments is crucial. At these appointments, Dr. Agha can make sure that your body is healing correctly and that you are receiving the final look that you want. Appointments start 5 days after surgery, and repeated every week depending on the recommendation of Dr. Agha.
Dr. Agha has performed tummy tucks in Orange County for years, and we are confident that you will love your results. If you’re interested in learning more about the tummy tuck recovery process, call Tummy Tuck Orange County today at .
