Widder Plastic Surgery Blog

How to Maintain a Healthy Diet Before and After a Tummy Tuck

The recovery from a tummy tuck procedure can be one of the most prolonged and most extensive. No matter how great you feel in the days following your procedure, you will still want to take adequate time to make sure you’re fully healed on the inside. Fortunately, there are ways to help speed up your recovery so that you can get back to normal in the shortest time possible.

One of those ways is through your diet. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Shlomo Widder has been performing aesthetic operations for over thirty years, and he knows about the best way to recover. A proper post-surgery diet will help ensure that you are taking in the best nutrients, keeping your weight in check, and helping you to maintain the results of your tummy tuck.

What Should You Be Eating?

Prioritize Protein: Protein is essential to your recovery process. You want to ensure that you are not only getting the daily recommended amount but even exceeding it during the days and weeks following your procedure. Protein helps build and repair tissues, muscles, and skin, all of which will be damaged during your surgery. High protein foods include lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, eggs, yogurt, and cheese.

Get Your Vitamins: Getting your vitamins is an essential part of your tummy tuck recovery as they will help reduce inflammation, fight infection, and promote cell regeneration. While vitamins can be taken through supplements, the healthiest way is to get your vitamins through the food you consume.

Vitamins A and C can be found in dairy, eggs, leafy greens, citrus, and tomatoes. These vitamins are great at fighting infections and accelerating the speed of your recovery. Vitamin Zinc, which also fights against infections, and can help promote new cell turnover, is found in meats, grains, and nuts.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is one of the worst things that can happen during your tummy tuck recovery. Not only will this stall your recovery, but it can also put you at risk of complications. Staying hydrated with adequate amounts of water can help with swelling, constipation, bruising, healing, and fighting against infection as the water flushes harmful toxins from your body. Make sure that you are taking in 64 ounces of water throughout the day. Good hydration also reduces the likelihood of blood clot formation.

Food That You Should Avoid

Food That Causes Bloating: Bloating and gas are two things that can disrupt your recovery and make you uncomfortable. Foods high in salt or carbonated beverages like soda or sparkling water can lead to unnecessary bloating.

Constipation is already commonly experienced after surgery, due to the narcotics and pain medications, making it vital that you make sure the foods you are putting into your body will decrease the possibility, not encourage it.

High-Sugar Foods: You will also want to avoid foods that are high in sugar. While these may be tasty, they will do nothing to improve your recovery. Dr. Widder also strongly recommends reading and following the recommendations of the book, “Sugar Busters “ that has been a bestseller for over 40 years and is extremely helpful in weight loss.

Learn More About A Tummy Tuck In Northern Virginia

If you are interested in tummy tuck surgery, contact Dr. Shlomo Widder to set up a personalized consultation by calling (703) 506-0300 or filling out our online contact form.