How to Maintain Results After a Tummy Tuck
Many of us dream of a flatter midsection, especially after pregnancy, rapid weight loss, or constant weight fluctuations. However, for many people, it’s almost impossible to achieve that with exercise and diet alone.
A tummy tuck provides a safe and efficient way to address these issues and restore your midsection’s flat and firm appearance. Taking care of your body and keeping a healthy diet and exercise regime ensures that your tummy tuck results last for a lifetime.
If you’re thinking of having a tummy tuck surgery, keep reading below for our tips on how to maintain long-lasting results after surgery.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen. It involves removing extra fat and skin and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall, leaving you with a firmer, more toned belly.
Yet, the decision to have a tummy tuck is not easy. Like any cosmetic surgery, it’s a major change to your body as well as a big personal commitment.
What can reverse tummy tuck results?
Weight gain
In a tummy tuck surgery, excess fat is removed from the abdomen. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t gain the weight back in the future.
A bad diet or lack of exercise can lead to rapid weight gain, throwing you right back where you were before your surgery. If that happens, you’d be left with a difficult situation – live with the excess fat or go through a second tummy tuck.
Pregnancy
If you’re planning on bringing a new human to the world, then it might not be the best time for a tummy tuck surgery. Not only would pregnancy cause you to gain the weight back, but it would also tear your tightened abdominal muscles.
That said, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck if you’re still planning to have children in the future.
How can you make your tummy tuck results last?
Many patients, both men and women, choose to have tummy tuck surgery to feel more comfortable in their own bodies and increase their confidence. However, to ensure you keep your flat belly over the long term, you’ll need to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Post-op care
Knowing what to expect after tummy tuck surgery can help you prepare better mentally and physically.
Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to ease the pain and help with inflammation. Be sure to ask your doctor questions about your recovery, such as when to return for follow-up care and how to care for your incision site.
It’s best to take at least two weeks off work or studies and if you have kids, plan for assistance. Like any surgery, your body needs some time to heal before you can return to your regular routine.
Use compression garments
After your tummy tuck surgery, it’s normal to experience pain, swelling, and bruising. Using compression after plastic surgery can help you control post-op side effects and accelerate your healing time.
Compression garments come in different sizes and shapes; therefore, choosing the one that’s right for you is important. The Abdominal Compression Pro is designed to relieve pain as well as decrease swelling and bruising in the area. At the same time, it provides enough support to counteract the abdominal pressure during coughing, sneezing, and straining.
Exercise regularly
Abdominoplasty tightens loose abdominal muscles, but if you have a sedentary lifestyle, chances are muscles will lose that firmness over time.
Although it’s best to avoid vigorous or high-impact exercise while recovering from your tummy tuck procedure, staying active is important once you’ve fully healed. Focusing on exercises for your core and posture will help strengthen the abdominal area and maintain tummy tuck results.
If working out is not your favorite thing to do, then start small. Aim for 20 minutes per day and increase it gradually.
Follow a healthy diet
A tummy tuck is not a fast-track route to weight loss. On the contrary, abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin after weight loss.
That said, following a healthy diet after your tummy tuck is essential for maintaining results over the long term. A diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is key to maintaining a healthy weight.
During the first weeks of recovery, it’s important to eat fibre-rich foods to avoid constipation, as straining may cause discomfort and pain.
Stay hydrated
Every cell and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Keeping yourself hydrated helps digest food properly, detoxifies the body, and provides a sense of fullness, aiding in weight management.
Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, although this amount may vary according to your needs, body size, and physical activity. Talk to your doctor to determine how much water is ideal for you.
Stop smoking
Smoking can interfere with your body’s healing, which can impact the results of your tummy tuck procedure. Moreover, considering that smoking increases the risks of complications during surgery, it’s best to stop smoking at least three weeks prior to your procedure and refrain from smoking during the first months of recovery.
Takeaway
A tummy tuck is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries among men and women. The procedure offers a noticeable flatter and firmer midsection, and with a healthy diet and lifestyle, results can last for a lifetime.
Although this article serves as a general guide, it’s essential to recognize that each person will experience recovery differently, depending on the type of procedure, any health problems, and adherence to post-op protocols. Your surgeon will provide you with a post-operative care plan tailored to your needs and the type of surgery.
References
[1] American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2022.
[2] Ncoa.org. 2022. The National Council on Aging.
[3] Who.int. 2022. Healthy diet.
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