What To Learn And Do Before Your Tummy Tuck
Tummy tucks are elective procedures that help you get rid of fat and skin along the abdominal area. You will learn a lot about how to take care of yourself after the surgery is over. Some of these things should be learned and considered before your surgery takes place. Keep reading to find out what you should be doing.
Set Up A Comfortable Space
The first few days of your recovery after your tummy tuck are the hardest, since this is the time when you will feel the most discomfort. Your doctor will inform you to set up an area in your home where you can rest during the initial healing period. It is wise to create this space on the first floor of your home, as your surgeon may not want you going up stairs.
The area should include a lounge chair, couch, or recliner. And you will want to buy some pillows so that you can keep your body in a forward leaning or inclined position. This position is necessary to reduce the stress on the incision site. Your surgeon will show you how far you will need to lean forward, and this will give you the opportunity to learn how to correctly position your pillows on your couch or chair. A knee pillow can assist with the positioning, so you may want to purchase one of these products as well.
Along with the couch or chair, make sure that a table is also available and within reach of the area. Medications like antibiotics, anticoagulants, and pain medications may be prescribed to you. You will also be instructed to drink a great deal of water. Your table will help to keep these things within reach for easy access.
Understand Your Drains
Tummy tuck operations typically involve the placement of drains. This allows for the release of fluid from the abdominal cavity so it cannot build up in the body. You will most likely go home with the drains still secured in place. This means that you will need to understand how to empty them. Drains can vary, but most work by creating pressure that pulls fluid from the drainage tube. So you will need to know how to release and create the pressure through squeezing or pressing to ensure proper function. Your doctor can walk you through this process well before your surgery so you understand it a bit better.
Keep in mind that your doctor will ask you to keep an eye on the fluid drainage. You may be asked to measure it each day at the time of emptying. A small container will be provided to help you with this, and you may need to record the data on a sheet of paper for your physician.