Lifestyle Changes After Tummy Tuck

Choosing abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, can be a safe and effective way to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, creating a thinner, more attractive figure. A tummy tuck can be especially beneficial for patients who want to restore a more natural waistline after losing significant weight or after pregnancy. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure and like other surgeries may require some lifestyle changes either temporarily or in the long term.

Recovery Period – Changes to expect

Like any surgery, your body needs to heal both internally and externally after a tummy tuck. Drainage tubes to help you heal will be placed during surgery and can be removed about a week later.  Dr. Bottger places all sutures under the skin and uses a self-dissolving type of internal sutures that will disappear on its own.

Because Abdominoplasty is a more involved procedure, you will need to take it easy so that your body can heal properly. Most patients will be able to drive and perform non-strenuous work within two weeks. In six to eight weeks you may be able to return to heavier work, strenuous exercise and other demanding tasks. Though it may be inconvenient for a while, following your plastic surgeon’s instructions after your abdominoplasty is crucial for your health and safety.

Healthy Lifestyle After Surgery

Many patients combine their abdominoplasty procedure with liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdominal area for a flatter stomach and a thinner figure. After undergoing abdominoplasty or other body sculpting surgery you will still need to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle to maintain your new figure. Plastic surgery will not prevent you from gaining back the fat you have removed. The best way to maintain your results are to:

• Avoid excessive weight gain by eating a healthy diet
• Incorporate plenty of exercise into your daily routine
• Drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption

Pregnancy

A tummy tuck will remove excess skin and fat from your waistline while tightening your abdominal muscles for a fitter, slimmer look. For this reason many women choose abdominoplasty surgery to regain the figure they had prior to having children.

You can have another pregnancy after your tummy tuck procedure without any harm to yourself or your baby. Pregnancy does stretch the muscles in the abdominal wall and overlying skin, most likely reducing or reverse the effects of the abdominoplasty surgery. It is usually advised that women wait until they are done having children to undergo the procedure.

To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, read our  tummy tuck questions or contact Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Bottger to schedule your consultation.