Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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The Do’s and Don’ts After a Tummy Tuck

While Dr. Mussat will make every effort to ensure you get transformative, beautiful results from your tummy tuck surgery, you must do your part during the recovery process. You can achieve optimal benefits and avoid challenging complications by following post-surgery instructions, so it’s essential to understand the healing process to ensure a successful outcome.

Abdominoplasty is a complex cosmetic surgery that aims to eliminate excess abdominal skin and fat tissue and strengthen abdominal muscles for a firm, flat tummy. While you’re healing, you must pay extra attention to how you perform your daily activities. Let’s examine some tummy tuck recovery do’s and don’ts and learn more about recovery after a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Do’s

Eat Fiber-Rich Foods to Avoid Constipation

Constipation is one issue that could occur after your surgery. While this condition is usually not severe enough to need medical attention, it could be a challenge while you are managing pain after your abdominoplasty.

Constipation may lead to excessive contracture of the abdominal muscles, which is the type of pressure you should avoid for the first few weeks until your incisions heal. To prevent bloating and constipation, eat a fiber-rich diet and drink plenty of water.

Sleep With Your Knees Bent

Lying down perfectly flat while resting or sleeping could be somewhat uncomfortable after your tummy tuck. The position can pull on your incisions and even cause the sutures to rupture. You should sleep with your knees slightly bent during the first weeks after surgery. Also, you could elevate the upper part of your body with several pillows for comfort and to prevent putting pressure on the surgical wounds.

Wear Your Compression Garment

We recommend a compression garment after your abdominoplasty because it helps reduce swelling, minimizes bruising, and makes you more comfortable. In addition, wearing this garment enhances your tummy tuck benefits while protecting and supporting the incisions.

Walk Regularly

Dr. Mussat suggests taking a gentle walk as soon as you wake up from the general anesthesia used during your surgery. As you heal, you should walk a little more each day. For example, you can start with a few steps around your bedroom, then around the house, and next, venture out of the house for a short walk. Walking helps reduce the swelling after your tummy tuck surgery and prevent blood clots.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Don’ts

Walk With a Straight Back

Tummy tuck incisions often extend from one hipbone to the other. After Dr. Mussat eliminates your flab, you may feel the remaining skin is too tight. Dr. Mussat will advise you to avoid walking with your back too straight for a week or two after surgery to avoid unnecessary pressure on your incisions.

Laugh, Cough, or Sneeze

It’s essential to avoid any kind of excessive pressure on your abdomen, so try not to laugh, cough, or sneeze for the first few weeks after surgery. Doing so can cause pain and even rupture your incisions.

Take Hot Baths

Taking a relaxing bath might seem like the reward you need while recovering from major surgery. Still, we ask that you do not submerge your incisions in water of any temperature. You can take showers instead. In addition, hot water promotes infection and excess bleeding, so settle for warm water to start.

Exercise

Don’t do any strenuous activities for six to eight weeks after your abdominoplasty. Stretching, twisting, and lifting heavy weights will cause discomfort and slow your healing process. Dr. Mussat will let you know when you can ramp up your activity level above light walking.

Learn More About the Best Tummy Tuck in Chicago

Contact Dr. Florence Mussat to learn how she can help give you your perfect body contour today. Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat or call (312) 751-9000.