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How to Prepare for Your Tummy Tuck
If you’ve already scheduled your tummy tuck appointment, we understand that you may be overwhelmed about your upcoming surgery. With all of the processes you’ve gone through to get to this point, you want to make sure the procedure goes smoothly.
So what can you expect in the upcoming weeks leading up to the event? If you’re curious about the lifestyle choices you can make to ensure optimal recovery after the surgery is complete, here’s what you can do.
Clean up Your Lifestyle
The first tactic you can begin taking today is cleaning up various parts of your life. Do you smoke, drink, or have an unhealthy vice? By reducing the amount of time you partake in these activities, you increase your odds of having a healthy system when the surgery happens.
If you had to focus on the number-one habit that you can eliminate before your surgery date, it’s smoking. Smokers who undergo surgery are more likely to have wounds that will not close or heal after the surgeon finishes their job.
We understand that eliminating smoking from your life can be a challenging task, so we’ve established a list of go-to tactics to help you:
- Nicotine-replacement therapy
- Vaporizers with no nicotine
- Chewing low-sugar candy
- Establishing a support group
- Massage therapy
- Meditation and yoga
These tricks, when used in conjunction with one another, can greatly increase your odds of dropping the habit of smoking.
Get Rid of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Aspirin
Although it may sound somewhat graphic, for post-surgery wounds to heal correctly, the blood needs to clot and seal properly. When you rely on aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs daily, you can create excess bleeding during surgery.
While you may need to take these medications to stay healthy, talk with your physician about your upcoming surgery. They may provide an alternative treatment plan that can be used in the weeks leading up until the procedure.
Get Close To Your Ideal Weight
Perhaps the most critical step that you can take to ensure a safe tummy tuck is getting as close to your goal weight as possible. When you consult with your doctor or surgeon, define the weight that you desire to be in the future. Once you have this number, it’s time to get to work!
Much like smoking, getting into shape can seem like a daunting task. Knowing this, we advise you to approach the subject slowly. Through a combination of cardiovascular routines and smart dietary choices, your goal can become a reality.
Be Positive
Lastly, we want to encourage you to stay optimistic and hopeful for your procedure. While it may seem intimidating and scary, it’s a new start for your life! From here on out, you’ll be able to look into the mirror and feel confident and proud of your figure. Never again will you let a little bit of weight hold you back from experiencing the life you desire!
Schedule a Consultation
To get started with your tummy tuck journey, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hetal Fichadia, located in Portland, OR. To request your appointment, complete our online form.
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
