After having children or experiencing significant weight loss, you may be left with sagging skin and fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. One option to help alleviate those concerns is a tummy tuck procedure. We recognize that not every procedure is the right choice for every person, so we encourage you to schedule a consultation and discuss your options with a trained professional. Dr. Danielle DeLuca-Pytell can walk you through every stage of preparing for a tummy tuck surgery in Troy.
Preparing for tummy tuck surgery begins roughly six months before your surgery date. Not everyone needs a full six months to prepare, but you want to make sure you have sufficient time to research and plan for the day of surgery and your recovery. When you are first considering getting a tummy tuck, prepare to do your research to find an experienced plastic surgeon in Troy who has the results to back up their promises.
As you start thinking about a tummy tuck, you must be consistent with diet and exercise habits. Tummy tuck surgery can help remove excess sagging skin and tighten weakened muscles, but without maintenance, you may end up back in the same place you were. Being close to your ideal weight and fitness level puts you in a position to heal quickly and helps your surgeon evaluate the type of tummy tuck procedure that will best meet your needs.
Once you have chosen your surgeon, eating well, staying hydrated, and staying active should be focal points of the lifestyle choices you make in the four to six months before your surgery.
Begin limiting your alcohol intake. If you smoke, you must quit. Nicotine increases your risk of adverse events from anesthesia and impairs your ability to heal.
In the month before surgery, it is time to begin stocking up on the supplies you will need during your recovery at home. In the initial recovery period, it is essential to be comfortable and get rest. Dr. DeLuca-Pytell can provide patients in Troy with a list of extra supplies they should have ready to prepare for their tummy tuck recovery. Extra supplies that most people find useful include pillows, gauze pads, comfortable clothing and underwear, and compression garments.
In the week before your tummy tuck surgery, you should make plans for a responsible adult to drive you home from surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours. It is important to avoid taking any medication or over-the-counter drugs or supplements that can increase your bleeding time and prevent clotting. This includes medications as simple as aspirin and herbal supplements. Check with your pharmacist for all drugs, medications, and herbal supplements you may be taking to ensure they will not increase the risks of any adverse effects during surgery.
If you have a multi-story home, create accommodations that allow you to sleep and eat comfortably on the first floor for several days. In the first few days, you will get tired easily and will not want to do much more than rest. Have a list of semi-emergency numbers handy, including friends and relatives, meal delivery services, and pharmacy delivery services.
Get all your household chores out of the way so you can rest as much as possible after surgery and have a ready supply of entertainment, including books, magazines, and movies, to occupy yourself as your body rests. When you are leaving for the surgery, dress in comfortable clothes. Something with a loose elastic waistband is often easier to put on after surgery.
Taking the proper steps when preparing for a tummy tuck surgery in Troy can make the process easier and improve your results. Call Dr. DeLuca-Pytell to learn more about what you can expect from this procedure and how it compares to our other cosmetic services.
