Nowadays, talking about plastic surgery is no longer considered a taboo subject. As a matter of fact, there are some women who openly talk about getting a tummy tuck after they give birth. Because of the number of women who undergo the procedure, there are those who think that it is a natural part of childbirth that needs to be done after a woman has given birth.
If you are considering getting a tummy tuck after you give birth, you have to know what to expect from the procedure. At the same time, you need to be aware of the recovery period after you get a tummy tuck procedure. Here are some of the things you need to know about recovering from a tummy tuck.
It takes time to recover.
No matter how equipped your plastic surgeon is, you will need to accept the fact that recovering from a tummy tuck takes a bit of time. On the Internet, the misconception is that you can recover from the procedure in about a couple of weeks. However, you have to know that the real duration of time that you need to recover from the procedure may take up to four weeks. So until that time comes, you have to limit your everyday activities for you to be able to recuperate completely.
You won’t be able to work.
Seriously, a tummy tuck procedure can take a lot of time to recover. Even if there are some women who are able to recover in as little as a couple of weeks, you cannot compare yourself to them. This is because when you get an abdominoplasty, the muscles in your stomach get tightened. Any of the herniated muscles will be put back to its place. Before you can start going about your daily routine before the procedure, you will need to get your body to adapt to these serious changes. Your recovery period will depend on your own anatomy and a number of issues that are unique to you. Don’t compare yourself with other women who went through a tummy tuck after pregnancy as you’ll only feel bad for yourself.
You’ll need assistance.
Because of the muscle and skin tightening that was done in your body, there are some very basic activities that you’ll require assistance. This includes standing straight, picking up items from the ground and even doing some basic household chores. Instead of forcing yourself to do these things, you will need to rely on the help of another individual who can stay with you throughout the day; particularly on the first few days after you came home from your tummy tuck procedure.
Showering won’t be easy.
Even though you’ll still be able to shower, it may not be as easy for you to do it on your own. Plastic surgeons recommend that you use a shower chair so you can be comfortable while taking a shower. At the same time, you may not be able to wash your hair easily. This is why you should ask a friend or your spouse to help you wash your hair in the sink.
Have a recovery chair.
Since you won’t be able to perform your usual activities, it is important that you get enough rest. You will need to stay relaxed on a chair, couch or bed so you can recover faster. If you don’t want to get bored, you can prepare all of the things you need within your arm’s reach. This includes books, movies, magazines, your laptop and even your prescription medicine. Prop up some pillows so you can relax completely.
Pick out your movies carefully.
If you plan on binge watching on your favorite TV shows and movies, you should avoid watching comedies. Even though these are therapeutic, it may not be a good advice for you to watch them while you are still recovering from an abdominal procedure. Give yourself enough time to heal before you indulge in a good comedy.
Avoid measuring yourself after.
After you have a tummy tuck, you’ll want to measure yourself so you can know how much weight you have lost. You may also be already excited to wear all the clothes you prepared for before the procedure. According to plastic surgeons, however, you should avoid measuring yourself after the procedure. This is because you will be swollen for a few weeks. At the same time, you will be retaining water in your body. If you step on a weighing scale, you may feel that your tummy tuck procedure was pointless. Because of this, it’s best that you wait a couple of weeks before you start measuring and weighing yourself.
Knowing these recovery tips will help you prepare for your tummy tuck operation better. This way, you’ll be able to recover from the procedure in a faster period of time.
Dr. Gregory H. Croll is the owner of his own practice, and the leading doctor for tummy tucks in Columbia, MO.
