subject: The Tummy Tuck: Recovery [print this page] If you've done any research on the tummy tuck, you are probably aware of some of the recovery horror stories. It is true that many people feel remorse and regret immediately after having the procedure. This is because the operation will incapacitate you for a short while and the pain can be unpleasant. During this time, it is not uncommon for depression to set in.
This is natural and it often follows any major surgery. Keep in mind that many people have had the surgery, been through the recovery, and come out the other side feeling great and loving the new waistline they see in the mirror. If you're still weighing the benefits of having the tummy tuck, here are some important things to know about having a successful recovery.
There are some things you can do prior to your surgery that will make a big difference in not only how successful your surgery is but how quickly you can recover. One of the main things involves smoking cigarettes. Smokers typically don't handle surgeries well.
That is because smoking can restrict the blood vessels and invite complications and infections. Some surgeons will not perform elective surgery on smokers for this very reason. If you are serious about having a tummy tuck and you are a smoker, quit at least a month before having the operation. If you need to pick the habit back up, wait until at least a couple of weeks after the surgery.
Following the surgery, your doctor will give you a number of instructions. It is important that you follow these instructions to the letter, letting your doctor know if there are any problems. You will be fitted with drains to take care of excess fluid. Keep those in place after the surgery-they will be removed by the doctor when he deems fit. The drains won't completely eliminate the swelling, but they will control it to some degree.
You will be prescribed pain medication, and you should take this medication as directed. No more, but also no less. Don't try to tough it out and don't neglect to take it even if you aren't feeling that much pain. The dosage and timing is designed to keep the pain at bay. If you go past that timing, the pain can become much worse and that makes recovery more difficult than it needs to be. You will already feel somewhat bored and helpless in the first few days. There's no reason to add an undue amount of discomfort on top of that.
