Diet Tips For Before And After Your Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck procedure will remove skin from the stomach and produce a smooth, flat abdomen. Patients opt for this procedure when they have sagging abdominal skin that won’t improve with diet and exercise. Whether this extra skin results from pregnancy or weight loss, a tummy tuck will assist in diminishing the appearance of this abdominal tissue. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon will remove this stubborn skin and tissue from the stomach to help patients achieve a better quality of life.
While a tummy tuck will deliver an aesthetically pleasing stomach, you should be conscious of the lifestyle decisions you make before and after your procedure. A healthy diet is essential to maintaining your long-term tummy tuck results.
Before Your Tummy Tuck
A healthy weight before your tummy tuck is crucial to seeing the outcome you want from surgery. Whether you achieve this weight through diet and exercise or weight loss surgery, developing eating habits that supply your body with essential nutrients can help you recover quickly from your tummy tuck and set you up for successful results that will last for many years.
Pre-Operative Diet Tips
- Refrain from eating processed sugar. These foods contain empty calories that don’t produce much usable or helpful energy for your body. Greasy or fatty food has a similar effect.
- Supply your body with vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system and healing. These foods should be high in vitamin C, which promotes your body’s collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps heal your connective tissue.
- Drink plenty of fluids before your procedure. Proper hydration and electrolytes are crucial to your overall health before surgery.
- A diet consisting of sufficient protein can provide energy and help your body prepare for the operation.
After Your Tummy Tuck
During your tummy tuck recovery, you should prioritize the instructions your surgeon has given you. Take it easy the first week or two post-operation and avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects. Pairing your surgeon’s instructions with foods that nourish your body as you recover is an excellent way to ensure you see the outcome you want from your tummy tuck.
Post-Operative Tummy Tuck Diet Tips
- Start slow and lessen your food portions. Smaller meals will help you judge how much your stomach can handle after the stress of surgery. Overeating could cause an upset stomach, especially when taking prescription medications. Start with snack-like meals to avoid upsetting your stomach and getting sick.
- The more organic your food, the better it will be for your recovery. That doesn’t mean every product must be expensive; however, you should eat plenty of produce, like fruits and vegetables, during your recovery.
- Avoid eating fatty food after surgery since this can upset your stomach. In addition, these foods have minimal nutritional value and won’t help your healing process.
- Watch your sodium intake during your recovery. Too much salt can lead to excess swelling and bloating after surgery.
Conclusion
Following these healthy diet tips before and after your tummy tuck will help you recover quickly and achieve your desired results.
Dr. Alberico Sessa is a highly skilled surgeon who can provide excellent pre-op and post-operative instructions and care during your aesthetic journey. Call Sarasota Surgical Arts at (941) 923-1736 to schedule a consultation.
