Tummy Tuck

Also known as abdominoplasty, this procedure addresses excess skin, fat, and abdominal laxity when contouring alone is not enough.

Getting Ready

Preparing in advance can make the early recovery period significantly more comfortable. Small adjustments to your environment and schedule can make a meaningful difference.

AT HOME

• Sleeping position is best in a slightly flexed position – or beach chair position. If you have a comfortable recliner, this is great especially if you tend to sleep on your side. Make it a bed and put your bed linens and bed pillow on it. Avoid using your best linens.

• Have extra pillows available to help with positioning and comfort.

• If you have an adjustable bed, learn how to operate it to mimic a beach chair with head up around 30-45° and legs up and flexed.

• If you have a regular flat bed, get a wedge pillow. Placing extra pillows around you and under your knees will help you stay on the wedge and feel more comfortable.

• Plan for limited mobility during the first few days.

• Stock up on foods that are easy for you to digest. You will need water and your favorite electrolyte drinks as well.

SUPPORT

• Arrange for trusted help during the first several days. Depending on the type of tummy tuck you are planning, you will need a minimum of 1-2 days of help. You may have a drain or need help cleaning up so it should be someone that will not mind seeing post-surgical fluids and that you are comfortable seeing your surgical areas should that need arise.

• We require that you have a trusted assistant during the first 24 hours that will drive you home from surgery and drive you back the morning after surgery.

• We will not discharge you to any rideshare service – Uber, Lyft, taxi, livery, etc. This is for your safety.

• If you prefer medical transport and already have someone arranged at home, we recommend Stellar medical transport. Stellar: 941.800.2273 (CARE) provides excellent services – call to arrange.

• If you need both home care and medical transport, we recommend

CLOTHING

• Choose surgery day clothing: bottoms and tops that are loose-fitting/stretchy and comfortable, full zip or full button front so nothing has to be pulled over the head, dark colors. NO ONE PIECES. Good examples: full set PJ separates with button front shirt and pull on long bottoms in a dark color OR old button front long sleeve shirt and sweat bottoms in a dark color.

• Slip on shoes or slippers with treads. This is not a good time for your heels or boots.

• Remove your jewelry – rings, earrings, necklaces, body and mouth jewelry.

• Please have your compression stockings on prior to arrival or bring them to put on.

PLANNING AHEAD

• Plan for time away from work and strenuous activity or heavy exercise/weight lifting. You will not be able to lift > 5 lbs for a period of 4-6 weeks depending on your healing progress. Though we understand that this is inconvenient, we also want the best results for you.

• Do not be a couch potato!! We want everyone to walk slowly around the house or outside when comfortable starting the night of surgery. Ideally, every 1-2 hours walking slow and steady with help if necessary during waking hours.

• BE PATIENT when it comes to results. This is not a procedure that has instant results and in fact, the results continue to improve with time. Do not worry about minor asymmetries, contour irregularities, or scar appearance until you are months out from your procedure.