Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a successful way to reshape the abdomen after pregnancy or a significant weight loss journey. A healthy diet and exercise routine may not be enough to repair the damage caused by pregnancy or extreme weight changes, leaving you with loose skin that can make you appear heavier than you are.
While a tummy tuck can restore a flatter, firmer abdomen, it is not a weight loss surgery, though many of Dr. Widder’s tummy tuck patients lose significant weight due to the abdominal muscles tightening that reduces the amount of food that you can eat and your sense of hunger. It is a companion to your health and fitness goals. With over 30 years of experience and practice in the cosmetic surgery field, Dr. Shlomo Widder will use his knowledge and skill to tighten your stomach muscles and remove lose skin and fat, restoring your stomach to its original form before pregnancy or to looking better than ever after weight loss.
Like with any surgery, it’s crucial to know what’s typical and what might be cause for concern, especially during the recovery period. When experiencing swelling, here’s when to call your surgeon.
What Causes Swelling After a Tummy Tuck?
For several weeks after your tummy tuck procedure, you can expect swelling in your lower abdomen, due to a change in your lymphatic and drainage system. An abdominoplasty significantly rearranges the tummy region. Part of this process splits the lymphatic and drainage vessels. These typically drain fluid upward, but during this recovery period, they can’t do that. While new lymphatic venous connections will eventually form, until then, fluid cannot drain properly through the lymphatic venous drainage vessels, and instead, downward and gathers in the tissue which causes the swelling.
How to Reduce Swelling After Surgery
You can do a few things to help reduce swelling and encourage lymphatic drainage after your procedure.
- Wear a compression garment: Another way to reduce tummy tuck swelling is to wear a compression garment, which is provided by Dr. Widder’s office. This tightly fitting accessory reduces swelling by keeping pressure on the affected area. It will also prevent any wounds from opening, protects the abdominal muscles, and accelerate the healing process by supporting your new contours.
- Drink plenty of water: Continue drinking water throughout the day to help flush toxins out of your system. Keeping your skin hydrated will also help you heal faster, and it will reduce pain by reducing muscle spasms.
- Exercise: When you feel well enough to do so, after eight weeks after surgery, exercise is an excellent way to reduce swelling. Avoid fast-paced cardio or strenuous weightlifting; instead, take short walks around the block for the first few weeks. As you recover and you start feeling better, you can increase your walking pace or try more intense exercises with Dr. Widder’s approval.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Procedure With Dr. Widder Today!
If the effects of pregnancy, weight loss, or aging have made you lose confidence in your shape and body, it may be time to consider cosmetic surgery to restore your figure, refresh your image, and regain control of your life. For more information, call Widder Plastic Surgery at (703) 506-0300 or contact us online through our convenient website portal and schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Widder today!