Scheduling a tummy tuck can be exciting and also a little stressful. There are several details to handle as surgery day approaches. You want to make sure your body is well-prepared ahead of time, so you may be avoiding smoking and alcohol and may be eating more fresh foods and drinking more water. You may also be undergoing certain lab tests and filling the prescriptions that you will rely on for comfort after your procedure. This can feel like a lot, and yet, there’s more. Here, we discuss how you can make the most of your tummy tuck recovery with a little advanced planning.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Essentials

Before your tummy tuck, you will or have already received pre-operative instructions. Your doctor has likely prepared you for what to expect during your recovery period, especially as it pertains to comfort management and mobility. While your prescription should prove very helpful, you will also want to foster comfort in other ways. For example, due to limited range of motion, you will not lie flat for at least a few days. You may be most comfortable sleeping in a recliner or in a reclined position on the sofa. If you decide to recover in your bed, you may add several support pillows and soft blankets to increase the cozy-factor.

Additional items for an optimal tummy tuck recovery include:

• Facial and body wipes. You may not shower for a few days but you still deserve to feel fresh and clean!
• Dry shampoo or elastics to wear your hair up and out of the way.
• You might be surprised at how quickly you get over binge watching all the shows that had sounded so good. Think of various ways to stay occupied beyond television and movies. Perhaps an audio book or a novel, a coloring book or some crosswords.
• Just as you should not underestimate the power of varied entertainment, you should not rule out the need you may have for good company while you recover from your tummy tuck. Schedule a chat with a friend in person or virtually. Send texts. Let your people know ahead of time that you would love to stay in touch after your procedure. This step alone helps many people stay in good spirits while they recover from surgery.

Plan for Post-Op Ahead of Time

Your surgeon may have prepared you for the fact that you will temporarily rely on someone else for certain things after your tummy tuck. To reduce stress and miscommunication after your procedure, it is beneficial to review your post-op instructions with the person who with assist you with medications, emptying drains, bathing or oral care, and other tasks. Also, you benefit from keeping in mind that you will only need this help for a few days before you regain sufficient stability to begin doing more for yourself.

Do you have questions about tummy tuck surgery and what it can accomplish? Call our Fort Worth office at 817.335.5200 to schedule your consultation.