If you have decided to get a tummy tuck, it’s time to start preparing yourself because as much as we’d like it to be, it’s not an overnight process. A tummy tuck, otherwise known as an “abdominoplasty” is a surgical procedure that will involve research, a healthy diet, and meticulous planning to achieve optimum results.
Usually, patients prepare for a tummy tuck months in advance, some times as much as six months. This gives them ample time to find the right board-certified plastic surgeon, reach or maintain their ideal weight, and plan for their post-operative care, which may include time off work, childcare, or pet care.
You may not need six months to prepare yourself, especially if you’re already at your ideal body weight and won’t have any issues taking time off work. Perhaps you’ve already done your research and all you need to do now is schedule the procedure, and that’s okay too. The better prepared you are for the surgery itself, the better the results, so that’s the key takeaway here.
Starting the Preparation Phase
Once you decide to get a tummy tuck, your diet and exercise habits have to become your primary focus. By eating a clean diet, keeping your calories in check, drinking more water, and staying active on most days of the week, you’ll be on the right track.
If you smoke, it’s time to quit and if you drink alcohol, it’s wise to limit how much you drink. Why should you be concerned about smoking and drinking? Because, they affect healing and how the body fights off infection.
Stress is another factor that needs to be addressed. If you have a lot of stress in your life, stress-management should become a focal point. It’s because stress too, can affect your overall health and immunity.
Make sure you only consider board-certified plastic surgeons who have extensive experience performing tummy tucks. When narrowing down your options, be sure to see the surgeons’ before and after tummy tuck pictures, which should be on their website.
Scheduling Your Consultation
Once you have reached your ideal body weight, it’s time to schedule the procedure. Then, it’s time to schedule time off work and make arrangements for child or pet care. You’ll need to set up transportation to and from the procedure and a support system at home. Additionally, we recommend meal prepping and freezing the food for later, this way you don’t reach for the easy, unhealthy foods because you’re too sore to cook. Those bad foods can compromise your results!
Related: Recovering After a Tummy Tuck
Are you ready to have your tummy tuck consultation? Contact our office to schedule your appointment with our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky.