How to Prepare in Advance for Tummy Tuck Surgery

Many mothers throughout Atlanta, GA visit board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brandon-Dzung Mang at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery when they’re interested in a tummy tuck. They want to feel confident about their bodies again after giving birth. Some patients even hope to improve their health. A tummy tuck removes fat, sculpts the abdominals, and tightens skin. While it can be used solely for cosmetic reasons, this surgery can also help patients with different medical conditions, such as a hernia or diastasis recti.

What happens during a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is performed using general anesthesia. Dr. Mang chooses the proper incision type based on how much excess skin a patient has. For an extended tummy tuck, your incision will be from hip to hip. For a minimal skin removal procedure, we use a less invasive technique with a much smaller and less noticeable scar. A tummy tuck at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery removes excess fat during liposuction.

Medical reasons for a tummy tuck

While a tummy tuck can be done for cosmetic reasons, it also can provide medical benefits, such as:

Correcting a ventral hernia: A ventral hernia occurs because intestinal or abdominal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall, which creates a pouch. This can be because of extreme weight loss, an appendectomy, or C-section.
Decreasing back pain: After giving birth, sometimes women will complain about back pain because of their stomach muscles weakening. During a tummy tuck, we surgically tighten these weakened muscles, which provides more abdominal support and can help improve your posture. Both can help with back pain.
Fix diastasis recti: Some mothers experience a lower abdomen bulge caused by diastasis recti. A tummy tuck repair surgery can stitch these separated abdominal muscles together to remove this bulge, which can cause back pain.
Resolving urinary incontinence symptoms: Stress urinary incontinence occurs when there’s too much pressure on the bladder or the urethra.

Preparing for tummy tuck surgery

Taking time to properly plan and prep for a tummy tuck helps patients to understand what to expect and to prepare for the best results.

Six months in advance: About six months before you hope to have surgery, you should begin ensuring that you’re close to your goal weight. Dr. Mang recommends you’re within 15 pounds of your goal weight for at least six weeks before having surgery. While a tummy tuck does create a flatter abdomen, it isn’t a weight loss surgery. When it comes to smoking before a tummy tuck, we recommend quitting as it can interfere with the healing process. It also increases the chances of developing complications after surgery.
Three months in advance: This is when you should begin to have a consultation with Dr. Mang to customize your procedure.
One month in advance: At this point, you probably will have scheduled your surgery. You should begin to prepare your home and request time off from work, if applicable. You also should buy any recovery supplies, such as compression garments or first-aid supplies.
The week before surgery: This is when you should stock up on liquid or soft foods for your recovery. You also should get all of your prescriptions ready for when you return home after surgery.
The day before surgery: Drink a lot of fluids containing electrolytes. Be sure to eat a high-protein dinner. Set out a few outfits for the first few days of recovery.
The day of surgery: Don’t eat or drink before your surgery. Take a shower with antibacterial soap. Wear loose clothing. Your top must zip or button all the way, as it will be easier to dress after surgery.

How long does it take to recover from tummy tuck?

After tummy tuck, you must wear a binder for about six weeks. This will help flush fluids out and to support your abdomen as you’re healing. Dr. Mang asks that you avoid strenuous activity for at least six weeks after surgery. It’s normal to have bruising in your abdominal area, and your scar may look red and raised, but this will fade over time.

Learn more about a tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA

For mothers in Atlanta, GA who are looking to improve their bodies after giving birth, a tummy tuck can help. Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation at Rejuve Aesthetic Surgery to learn about this surgery with our board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Brandon-Dzung Mang has helped countless patients repair their bodies and improve their health.