As a leading plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Pugash has met with many men and women seeking to flatten and tone their abdomen through tummy tuck surgery. He believes it is important for his patients to be well-informed about the procedure. In this blog post, he shares several things patients should know prior to undergoing surgery.
Tummy Tuck Surgery is Not a Weight Loss Tool
It is a common misconception that tummy tuck surgery can help a person lose weight. In reality tummy tuck surgery is commonly performed after a patient has lost weight, either through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery. Tummy tuck surgery eliminates saggy folds and excess skin in the abdominal area and can repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles. People who are within 30 percent of a healthy weight for their size are the best candidates for this surgery. If you seek to reduce body mass, it is best you use diet and exercise or bariatric surgery instead of, or before, seeking tummy tuck surgery.
Prepare Your Home Ahead of Time
Recovering from tummy tuck surgery involves plenty of rest. The last thing you want to worry about during your recovery is doing laundry, washing dishes or cooking. Plan your meals ahead of time and run errands before your surgery in order to avoid strain and stress during your recovery. Have clean bed sheets and fluffy pillows ready when you return from surgery. Proper planning before your surgery will help your body heal more quickly.
Make Arrangements for Help
Strenuous activity will be off limits during the first two months after surgery. Many of Dr. Pugash’s tummy tuck patients recommend asking for help from a loved one during the initial recovery period. Ask your spouse or another family member to help you with chores, errands and, if necessary, any children or pets. Loved ones are also a great source of emotional support as you recover from surgery.
The Final Results Are Not Immediate
While you will notice an improvement in your physical appearance right after surgery, it may take up to a year for the final results to appear. During this time, it is important to follow Dr. Pugash’s post-op instructions in order to allow your body to properly heal.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Do you have more questions regarding tummy tuck surgery? To learn more about the procedure or the recovery process, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Pugash. Please call (604) 522-5199 today.