You need to loose the weight before having this procedure done. Often people who have lost a lot of weight will have a tummy tuck procedure to get rid of the excess skin hanging from their stomach due to weight loss. Any respectable surgeon will not perform a tummy tuck on a patient who is doing this solely to loose weight.This will make it a lot easier for you and save you messing around trying to hang them over something while you shower. Taking deep breaths and stretching your lungs is also recommended to help clear them of the effects of the anesthesia. Any exercising will be ruled out until you are otherwise told by your doctor or surgeon. However you should move your legs as much as possible, and bend them at the knees and ankles as this helps to prevent blood clots in the legs.
Many people have heard horror stories about recovering from a tummy tuck procedure. However, there are some measures you can take to make it easier. A tummy tuck surgery is not the easiest cosmetic procedure to recover from. You will be bed-ridden for a few days, feel quite sore and tender, and you may find that your mind goes a little stir-crazy from all of the lying around. While it may not be fun, there are some things you can do to help smooth the rocky road to recovery following a tummy tuck.
When are tummy tuck results final? You’ll notice an improvement in your abdomen’s shape right away, as the extra skin will be gone and your muscles will be tightened. At first, swelling will obscure your results somewhat. The majority of post-op swelling resolves after 3 or 4 weeks, but residual swelling can linger on for several months. Your tummy’s shape and size will be looking close to final after about 3 months, although minor improvements continue for 6 months or longer. Ready for a consult?
One important note though you will probably have steri-strips covering your wound / stitches it's important that you don't interfere with these. Over the next week or so these steri - strips will start to peel of their own accord. If needs be you can trim the peeled edges with a small pair of scissors but you should not pull them if they are still attached.
You can shower 48 hours after you remove your drainage tubes. You may want to take a sponge bath until you can shower. You may be advised to use a chair when showering for some time. You’ll be prescribed an antibiotic and possibly an anticoagulant. You may be given some type of medication to apply to the skin. Take any pain medication as directed. You shouldn’t take any medicine containing aspirin unless directed by your doctor.
Patients can start walking immediately after the surgery and it as this prevents in formation of blood clots. Bath and shower should be taken after a few days; in the meanwhile sponge can be given to the patient. You can also perform some exercise to prevent blood clot. An abdominal binder is usually recommended to be worn in the first few weeks. Walking is a great form of exercise, but one can also indulge in some non- aerobic exercises.
Post tummy tuck surgery, patient's overall health and physical fitness is important for early recovery. Abdominoplasty surgery involves the removal of skin and tightening of muscles. Liposuction involves removal of fat which can be combined with tummy tuck surgery. Basically your body needs time to adjust to these changes. Generally one requires four to five weeks for recovery post tummy tuck surgery but some patients with low fitness level or if they suffer from other ailments like debates can take longer time to recover. Depending on the kind of tummy tuck surgery performed, patients have to stay in hospital.
2. Getting out of bed and walking with assistance for 10-15 minutes every two hours during normal waking hours is critically important to speed recovery and reduce the risk of clots. 3. Beginning on the second day after surgery, you may shower with assistance using an antiseptic soap such as Dial.
