A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical technique requiring a lot of planning and careful follow-up care to ensure that the best results are achieved. Pre-procedural steps taken before abdominoplasty ensures better and faster recovery results. Ideally, preparations for tummy tuck surgery are done at least six months in advance, giving you time to decide on a surgeon, maintain a stable ideal weight and prepare an aftercare plan. Others may not need six months preparation before surgery. Everyone needs adequate time to research, strategize and prepare for the surgery. If you are sufficiently prepared for the surgery; your results will be better. Your guide for planning your tummy tuck is detailed below:
4 to 6 months prior to surgery
After deciding on a tummy tuck, you need to seriously change your exercise and diet habits. Drinking more water, staying active and eating well are major focal points. If you’re a smoker, start the quitting process and limit your intake of alcoholic drinks. These two factors affect how your body tends to heal and fights off infections. Stress management is essential as chronic stress affects your immune response and overall health. In this time frame, your research to locate good cosmetic surgeons for consultations should begin. Identify Board-certified surgeons only, with extensive experience in tummy tuck procedures and there can never be enough of before and after images on their website or profile of clients having undergone abdominoplasty there. So study them carefully!
4 months prior to surgery
By now you should have started work on achieving your ideal fitness levels and weight. This helps surgeons to evaluate your fitness for the procedure and also ensures a quick recover thereafter. Four months before your surgery, schedule consultations and meetings with top-rated doctors. In many cities, the best of surgeons are usually booked 3 to 4 months in advance or, at times, even longer. By this time, you must finalize the best available surgeon and discuss your concerns, expectations, and goals and feel confident that his or her recommendations support your goals.
3 months prior to surgery
During the 3rd month of preparations, after selecting a surgeon and booking surgery, you must apply for leave from work, make arrangements for animal or child care, set up support systems for transportation and post-operative care during the recovery phase, after discussing all this with your surgeon. You should completely stop smoking and continue with your wellness and health regimen, with positive feelings and excitement about the future.
1 month prior to Surgery
The last weeks prior to surgery is used to buy supplies for recovery and finalize the surgical procedures. Stress-free comfort is essential in the initial recovery stage and is, in fact, the only goal for your home care. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of essential supplies needed for post-operative home care, so assemble these supplies. Some additional supplies useful to aid the recovery progression are:
- Gauze pads
- Extra pillows
- Comfortable clothing and easily removable underwear
- Compression clothing as prescribed
- Medication and ice packs for discomfort
Create a meal plan and deep freeze some food for later use, as eliminating worry about what to eat, reduces stress and keeps you away from unhealthy foods. On surgery day, dress comfortably and follow the pre-surgery list provided by the surgeon. You could also stop by your surgeon’s office on D-day for any last-minute queries and seek suggestions, if needed.
