Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and in this day and age, you should be able to look and do as you please. But when that muffin top or love handles starts to affect your confidence, it’s important to know that there’s something you can do about the parts of your body that keep killing your confidence. If you’re looking to step out more confidently in a crop top or tube skirt without bunching up at the waist or bulging at the stomach, a tummy tuck surgery is a great option for you.
Tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery loved by many because not only does it remove fat deposits, it also removes sagging excess skin and tightens the muscles for a flat and fit midsection. If you’re considering a quick, surefire, and permanent solution to muffin tops and love handles that just won’t go away no matter how many sit-ups you do, it’s time to get the complete 411 on a tummy tuck from a renowned plastic surgery clinic in Toronto:
What is a No-Drain Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Technique and Why Do Plastic Surgeons Use it?
Our plastic surgeons at La Fontaine Cosmetic Surgery Clinic use the no-drain tummy tuck technique because it’s a modern and effective method for preventing swelling after the surgery. Instead of drains as in older tummy tucks, your surgeon will use quilting sutures that also keep tension off your incision site, allowing for a fast and hassle-free recovery and minimal scarring.
How Painful is the Recovery After a Tummy Tuck?
When patients first come to our cosmetic clinic in Toronto, a big factor that prevents them from going through the procedure is the perceived pain that comes with it when the anesthesia and painkillers wear off. While it’s true that post-operative pain is a reality for any surgery, our cosmetic surgery clinic makes sure that our tummy tuck patients are given appropriate medications to ensure a smooth and painless recovery. In deciding on which medications to prescribe, our cosmetic surgeons into account your medical history, allergies, and medication use to ensure that you are only prescribed drugs that are best for your overall health.
The First Two Days After a Tummy Tuck are the Hardest, Right?
When you think of surgery – including plastic and cosmetic surgery – you think of bedrest and being unable to get up for weeks on end; but that’s not the case in tummy tuck surgery.
Instead of being in bed all day, we actually recommend routinely sitting on the edge of the bed for a few minutes at a time or even do some light walking. Doing these light activities won’t damage the incision site or affect the expected results of your tummy tuck surgery, as long as you stay away from sudden and heavy lifting; instead, getting out of bed to use the washroom, and sitting in a chair will keep your back from hurting. These will also help to normalize your routine post-op, which aids your recovery. Remember, your body will better ease into post-op recovery when you’re able to move a few times a day, rather than suddenly pouring all of your strength into a twenty-minute activity.
Why Do I Need to Wear Compression Garments After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Compression garments are designed to be worn after a tummy tuck surgery that included a lot of liposuction. Compression garments are more for your comfort post-op, instead of actually making a difference with your results. At two weeks post-op you will find that compression helps you look better, but in time, whether you wear these garments or not, you will look the same.
At our cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto, though, we show our tummy tuck patients the benefits of wearing compression garments to reduce swelling. It’s common to experience some swelling above your scar especially as you become more active post-op. That’s why it’s important to engage in multiple light activities during the day instead of just a prolonged one, as this will minimize swelling and cut down the time it requires to subside.
How Do I Care for My Tummy Tuck Surgery Incisions?
After closing the incision site during your tummy tuck procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will apply paper tape on the lower abdominal incision and will stay on for about 3 to 4 weeks. Even when you shower the following day, the tape stays on. It’s also normal for the tape to collect a little blood underneath as your incisions heal. Your surgeon will also advise you to use an ointment to keep blood from crusting and make it easier to clean. Finally, our cosmetic surgery clinic will be in touch when it’s time to remove the sutures during one of your post-op checkups.
Massaging the Tummy Tuck Surgery Scar: Hoax or Not?
You may have heard some family and friends mention massaging their scar after their tummy tuck surgery. Sounds weird, right? You’re not alone!
According to the surgeons at our cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto, it’s important to massage your tummy tuck scar to keep it from sticking to the skin layers underneath. This prevents the scar from displaying overhang. You can start massaging the scar 3 to 4 weeks after your tummy tuck for 3 to 4 times a day, such as when you use the washroom. It’s best to keep doing this for 3 to 4 months to help with recovery. Don’t worry if while massaging, the scar feels lumpy – these indicate sutures and with constant massage, sutures will dissolve over time.
When Can I Resume Other Physical Activities?
Once you settle into a normal recovery routine after your tummy tuck surgery, you will find that it will be easy to slowly resume other physical activities, such as driving, light exercise, and even intimate moments with your partner. Just remember that it’s not advisable to drive while you’re taking narcotics, if prescribed. As well, no heavy lifting to avoid stressing the incision site and causing undue complications after your tummy talk; if you want to start taking up light exercises again, it’s best to ask your surgeon for the go-ahead.
When it comes to sex, we know that a lot of our patients find it a bit awkward to ask when they can have sex after their tummy tuck surgery. The real answer is, it’s up to you, when you’re comfortable again. Just make sure not to overexert yourself and cause your blood pressure to rise. A good rule to remember is to avoid heavy lifting or having sex for the first two weeks after your tummy tuck to prevent popping a blood vessel and straining your incision.
What Can I NOT Do After My Tummy Tuck Surgery?
- Eat salty foods and skipping compression garments, as these will affect and exacerbate swelling.
- Stay out in the sun, as exposure to UV rays can cause pigmentation of surgical scars, causing them to darken and become permanent, instead of completely healing.
- Smoke, since nicotine inhibits good blood flow that compromises healing of the incision.
- Stay in bed all day or refusing to move around, which affects blood flow and slows down recovery.
- Drink alcohol, since mixing these with painkillers can have adverse, dangerous effects.
- Heavy lifting – which we can’t stress enough – over 10 pounds can strain your body. While you can return to work, it’s important to stick to modified duties for 4 to 6 weeks if your work requires strenuous physical activities.
- Weigh or measure yourself within the first few weeks, as the results are not an accurate description of your results. You can celebrate your final results 6 months after your tummy tuck surgery.