Abdominoplasty: Having a Smooth Recovery

One thing every plastic surgeon will tell you about abdominoplasty is that the recovery can be a long, sometimes painful road. Of all cosmetic procedures, it may be among the most invasive and intense. As a corollary, however, it can also make some of the most dramatic changes in your physique. It provides a service that can't be done by any natural process. The tummy tuck, as it is popularly known, can remove skin and extra fat from the abdominal region when diet and exercise have done all they can. Additionally, the surgeon can strengthen the abdominal wall, which has immense ramifications when it comes to your appearance. Here are some tips for a smooth recovery. Make Yourself Comfortable Don't wait until you're propped up in bed, barely able to summon the energy to walk to the bathroom before you get your home ready for recovery. Do it ahead of your abdominoplasty and you'll be glad you did. What items you purchase will differ from person to person, but at the least you'll want to make sure your refrigerator and pantry are stocked. If you aren't going to have a lot of help during your recovery, you'll be wise to buy food that doesn't require much, if any, preparation. You may also want to make sure you have plenty of entertainment, as convalescing can be boring. Keep Your Doctor in the Loop If you chose a good plastic surgeon, he should be happy to hear from you often for an update on your progress. Keep all of your follow up appointments and call whenever you have a question or a concern. If you don't feel like being a bother, just think of it this way: a good doctor considers this extra advice and care part of the cost of the abdominoplasty. You paid the full price of the surgery and therefore you're entitled to the care that goes along with it. By the same token, if you get advice, take it. The doctor can't force you to do the things that are best for your recovery. Keep Your Food Light In advance of your surgery, you're probably thinking one of two things: one, you'll be happy to spend a few days sitting around eating. Two, you may be worried that you'll gain weight, which is probably the last thing you want after paying for abdominoplasty. Rest your fears (and, unfortunately, alleviate your hopes): you're not going to want to eat much at all. Even if you do, you'll be better off eating light and avoiding salt and sodium, which can contribute to swelling.