Following any surgical procedure, it’s important to consider how you are going to recover from your operation and what things you can do to make the process quicker and more effective for your body to heal. Here at The Pennsylvania Centre for Plastic Surgery, our job doesn’t end with conducting your surgery but continues into helping you throughout the recovery process.
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Tummy Tuck Overview
A tummy tuck, professionally known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to help patients achieve a flatter looking stomach by removing excess fat and repairing damaged abdominal wall muscles. During the tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Brenman, a board-certified plastic surgeon, works carefully to remove excess fat from around the stomach area and will also take away any excess skin to leave a thinner, flatter and more contoured looking stomach. Most tummy tuck patients can visibly see a difference in their stomach immediately after the procedure, but the full result is often not revealed for many months after the surgery when the recovery process has completed and the body has fully healed from surgery.Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips
Abdominoplasty is major abdominal surgery and therefore requires a significant recovery period. Depending on the labor involved in their job, most patients need to take between 2-3 weeks, or more, off from work following their surgery to rest and recuperate. After 4-6 weeks of light activity and following an assessment by Dr. Brenman, patients can then resume more normal physical activities. As a major surgery, it is essential that patients take their recovery time seriously, here are three tips that will help.Plan for Post-Op Help
Immediately following your tummy tuck surgery you will be extremely tender and may not even be able to stand up properly. During the first two to three weeks, you will need significant help around the house. To ensure that you do not over-strain your wounds, it is essential that you arrange post-operative help from a relative or friend who can stay with you, even at night, to ensure that you have everything you need. If you have children at home, then it is advisable to try and plan additional childcare.Have Manageable Expectations
Although in the long run, your tummy tuck will leave you with a slimmer stomach, at first, you may find that your abdominal area isn’t as flat as you anticipated. This is due to swelling and inflammation which are a part of the natural healing process. The swelling you experience will get worse for the first week or so after surgery before slowly subsiding but it may take 8 weeks or more for you to feel that it has gone down completely. During this recovery time, you may also feel fatigued and emotional, which is normal, and to be expected after major surgery.Tummy Tuck Consultations Available
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Follow All Post-Op Recovery Instructions
Lastly, whether you like them or not, for your body to heal properly it is vital that you follow all of the post-operative recovery instructions given to you by Dr. Brenman. Even if you feel that you have fully healed, you should continue to follow post-op instructions until Dr. Brenman tells you that you may cease to do so.Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck?
People choose to get tummy tucks for a variety of reasons. Some wish to restore their stomach and reduce fat and skin after a dramatic weight loss or pregnancy while others wish to reduce sagging and fat deposits caused by aging. Whatever your reason for looking into a tummy tuck, the best candidates are always those that are healthy, and who have realistic expectations for their outcome. “After losing 87 pounds I decided I would treat myself and get a tummy tuck that I have been wanting for some time. I researched and thought Dr Scot Brenman would be best. Well suffice it to say I am not thrilled with my results. Ultimately my tummy is flatter which was what I wanted but my belly button is 2 inches above the incision line which I hate! He promised lipo which til this day I’m betting he didn’t do! Also his aftercare was thee WORSE! He never followed up with me after the removal of my drains! No way will he receive another one of my hard earned dimes!” *This visit was a pleasure! Dr. Brenman thoroughly explained my options and did seem rushed. He answered all my questions and made me comfortable with making my decision. Gina was friendly and helpful in facilitating scheduling etc. I feel confident in my choice.
Happy Patient
Take the Next Step
Want to learn more about tummy tuck recovery? Schedule your complimentary consultation at The Pennsylvania Centre for Plastic Surgery with Dr. Scott Brenman in Philadelphia and Plymouth Meeting, PA. by calling (267) 687-2180. We look forward to meeting with you soon!
