As you prepare for your tummy tuck surgery, it’s normal to feel a variety of emotions, including excitement about how great your new body will look after surgery, but also some fear and concern regarding the recovery process. To help you prepare for your surgery and pave the way for a smooth recovery, I have prepped my top 10 tips I like to share with patients to help make their tummy tuck recovery as smooth as possible.
Being prepared before surgery makes your life after surgery that much easier!
Dr. Steven Camp works to ensure that your pre- and post-op care align to help make your post-surgical recovery as smooth as possible, and my tips can help make the road to recovery even better.
My Top Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips
Prep Your Bed
1. Make sure your bed is set up before you arrive back home with pillows, clean sheets, phone charger, Apple TV remote, and favorite snacks nearby.
2. If your bed is high, we recommend placing a little stool next to your bed to make it easy to get in and out of bed. You will be pretty stiff, so that will really help.
Schedule Care and Support
3. Reach out to friends and family for support – some will support you during your recovery and some may not. Lean on the trusted loved ones now and reach out to the office for that emotional care. Many of us have been through it and can lend a caring heart to get you through it.
Taking Showers After Surgery
4. Your first shower might not be the time to do a full hair wash because you might be too tired to take care of it afterwards. Have a shower cap handy just in case.
5. While you are taking your shower, have your caretaker wash your garment. It’s okay to be without it for a few hours. While it’s washing and drying, take a little nap after that shower in a big t-shirt or thin robe. You will be tired after that first shower.
Care for Your Drains and Address Pain & Swelling
6. If you have drains, it’s helpful to clip them to a lanyard. Pull out your favorite one from a concert or conference and put it around your neck.
7. Patients often complain more about back pain than incisional pain – two things help with this: ice packs and using a walker to help splint. You can grab both on Amazon.
8. Lymphatic massage is amazing to help move that fluid out of your body quickly. We have recommended practitioners we like, so just ask us for their information. Dr. Camp will allow you to start within just days of surgery.
Eat Right & Start Walking!
9. Get up and get moving ASAP! This will help your pain control, mental health and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
10. Nutrition – get plenty of protein and fluids after surgery. Small, frequent meals are great rather than big meals for GI comfort.
Share Your Insights
Those are my top recommendations for making recovery from tummy tuck easier. What ideas do you have to share?
Please share your thoughts and tips in the comments below.
Don’t Forget: Recovery Impacts Results
Taking care of yourself and following the instructions provided by Dr. Camp and his team are key to achieving the best possible surgical results. During your consultation, we will provide you with pre- and post-op care instructions. It is important to follow them carefully to ensure you remain safe, healthy, and comfortable throughout your recovery.
Make sure to give your body the time it needs to heal. It takes time for the swelling to subside and for your final results to appear, so giving your body the time it needs is key to seeing those amazing results you’re expecting!
Take the Next Step
If you are ready to learn how a tummy tuck in Fort Worth can transform your body, request a consultation online or call (817) 228-4315. We are here to support your transformation journey from start to finish!
Leave a Reply