Patients who undergo tummy tuck surgery at our Washington, DC, area practice, tell us that being well-prepared for the surgery helps quell anxiety. We do our best to prepare our patients and assure them that our team of plastic surgeons is here to make sure they’re safe and supported every step of the way.
Taking a few key actions to prepare for your surgery can be a great way to ease any uncertainty and get excited for the transformation ahead. While your doctor will provide you with all the necessary prep information at your pre-op appointment, this blog post will outline a few tips to get you started.
Physical Tummy Tuck Prep
Preparing your body for a tummy tuck will help the recovery process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
It’s essential to quit smoking in the weeks before your surgery, since it increases your risk of complications during the procedure and interferes with recovery. We may advise you to stop taking certain medications or prescribe new ones.
We recommend maintaining a stable weight and making sure you’re in good overall health. Learn more about how an abdominoplasty may fuel your long-term weight loss journey in this blog post.
Your Planning Checklist
One of the most important aspects of tummy tuck preparation is making plans that set the stage for optimal rest and relaxation during recovery. In the days ahead of your surgery, make sure you:
- Secure a ride home from the surgical center.
- Ask a trusted loved one to stay with you the first night. You’ll need someone to look after you and help with any initial care.
- Prep meals ahead of time, so you won’t need to shop or cook.
- Organize pet and child care. You won’t be able to lift heavy things including pets or children at first. Make sure you have extra help on hand.
- Move your essential items into easily accessible areas, since it may be challenging for you to reach high, low, or difficult to maneuver spaces.
Keeping your eye on the end result and maintaining a positive attitude is a major aspect of recovery. To give yourself an idea of the results you can expect, once recovery is complete, you can browse our before-and-after photo gallery of actual patient transformations.
Lean on Support
Don’t hesitate to call if you have questions ahead of your surgery. At your pre-op appointment, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need, so you have no feelings of uncertainty moving forward. Your safety is our priority, and we want you to feel secure and supported every step of your exciting journey.
If you would like to learn more about tummy tuck surgery in the Washington, DC, area, please contact us online or call (703) 560-2850 (Annandale) or (301) 652-7700 (Chevy Chase) to request a personal consultation.