When you’ve had a tummy tuck, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for post-op care. This includes eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough rest.
One of the most important things to do after your surgery is to drink pineapple juice. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps to reduce swelling and bruising. As well as improving circulation and reducing pain by breaking down proteins in the body. It also helps with digestion and constipation by increasing peristalsis (the movement of food through your digestive tract). In this guide, we review the aspects of Pineapple Juice After Tummy Tuck, what to eat after tummy tuck to reduce swelling, what to eat after surgery to heal faster, and how to care for belly button after tummy tuck.
Pineapple juice can help speed up recovery after surgery because it has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce swelling and inflammation around the incision site. This reduces pain and improves mobility which makes it easier for you to get on with your daily activities without feeling too sore or tired from being inactive for too long.
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Knowing what to eat and drink before and after your plastic surgery can play a huge role in your overall recovery and healing period. Upon booking your procedure, your surgeon will give you detailed pre-op and post-op instructions that will guide you through what you can do to adequately prepare for your procedure. Typically, the list of what to eat and drink before and during surgery recovery includes lots of liquids, whole foods, foods high in fiber, healthy fats and foods low in sodium. But there is one additional food item that has gained a lot of popularity as the alleged “magic” surgery recovery drink: pineapple juice. Many patients tout the benefits of pineapples – both in their whole form and as juice – for before and after plastic surgery. But is the tropical fruit really worth all the hype?
Below we go over the benefits of consuming pineapples or pineapple juice before and after plastic surgery, and why it is often considered a recovery super fruit:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a powerful enzyme that has many surprising and helpful properties. Bromelain has a centuries-long history of being used to treat medical ailments, primarily throughout Central and South America. One of the main benefits of bromelain is that it speeds healing by reducing inflammation. Bromelain also minimizes the occurrence of bruising, which is particularly beneficial for recovery from plastic surgery.
2. Fights Nausea and Aids Digestion
Another wonderful effect of bromelain is that it aids in overall digestion and helps fight nausea. Bromelain may help to breakdown protein faster, improving the speed of digestion. In addition to bromelain, pineapples also contain a high content of water and fiber, which can help ease constipation, a common complication after plastic surgery. After surgery, patients are particularly prone to nausea and may even lose their appetite. However, it is very important to eat after surgery so that your body may begin healing and regain strength. A pineapple smoothie or glass of pineapple juice after surgery may give your body the little boost it needs to start feeling normal again.
3. Immune Boosting Effects
Pineapples are packed with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that fights cell damage. Consuming pineapples before and after surgery can reduce your risks of coming down with a cold or an infection. And being in the best health possible will allow you to recover more quickly after surgery!
4. Protects again Cardiovascular Disease
Another important chemical element pineapples are packed with is potassium. Potassium is associated with many positive effects on the body, including protection against loss of muscle mass, reduced risk of stroke and preservation of bone mineral density. Increasing potassium intake can also help with lowering blood pressure, which is especially important when preparing for surgery.
5. Supports Bone Strength
Lastly, pineapple contains nearly 75 percent of the daily-recommended value of the mineral manganese, which is essential in developing strong bones and connective tissue. Manganese plays an important role in bone cartilage and bone collagen formation, which is essential for your body immediately following a surgical procedure.
In Conclusion
Pineapples are without a doubt a plastic surgery super fruit. Eating pineapples or drinking a glass or pineapple juice or a pineapple-based smoothie before and after surgery can aid your body in the surgical recovery process. By aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system and promoting overall bone and heart health, the pineapples has earned its name as the “magic” surgery recovery drink.
What To Eat After Liposuction
Maintaining a balanced diet is important to help your body have the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs during the healing process of liposuction surgery. Although liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body, a common misconception is that the removed fat will never come back.
Unfortunately, you can still gain weight — including new fat to the treated areas — if you are not committed to a healthy lifestyle after surgery. Our team at Memorial Plastic Surgery will discuss the importance of proper diet and exercise to maintain your results.
Below is a general guideline of what to eat and what to avoid after liposuction:
Food to Avoid After Liposuction
Alcoholic beverages, processed foods, salty foods, sugary foods, and those with high amounts of saturated fat should be eliminated from your diet for an extended period of time after surgery.
Some examples include:
- Beer
- Soda
- Fried Food
- Animal Fats
- Animal By-products
These foods can contribute to prolonged symptoms, such as swelling, which is known to increase when a high amount of sodium is consumed.
Even when your recovery period is over, eating bad foods should be extremely limited to avoid unwanted weight gain and properly manage your weight into the future.
Recommended Food To Eat
Incorporating more nutritious foods into your diet will help aid your body in the recovery process and help avoid gaining unhealthy weight.
Some examples of nutritional foods are below:
- Lean Protein – White meat chicken, turkey, salmon, and other freshwater fish
- Fresh Fruits & Vegetables – Leafy greens, strawberries, bananas, pineapples
- Whole grains – Brown rice, oatmeal
- Tofu – contains protein, iron, and many other essential minerals.
Here’s a good recipe that you can do at your home: Grilled Chicken and Quinoa with Matcha Dressing
INGREDIENTS
- Quinoa and chicken:
1/2 cup quinoa - 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 18 oz.)
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
Dressing and assembly:
- 1 cup vegan or regular mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp. culinary-grade matcha
- 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. agave nectar
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves with tender stems
- 12 cups baby greens (such as kale, spinach, or arugula)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 Persian cucumbers, cut into 1″ pieces (about 2 cups)
- 2 avocado, cut into 3/4″ pieces
- 1 1/3 cups crumbled feta
Other Important Tips
- Stay Hydrated – Drinking a sufficient amount of water helps maintain a healthy metabolism, aids in digestion, and helps control hunger.
- Eat smaller meals – Proportioning your meals, and eating several smaller meals throughout the day can help maintain your energy level and boost your metabolism.
- Grilled or Baked options – Choosing healthier methods of preparing your food, avoid consuming extra calories and fat.
Suggested Places to Eat in Houston
If you are from out-of-town or find yourself wanting to explore healthy options in Houston, check out these recommended places that serve diet-friendly options:
Dish Society – Dedicated to using the highest quality and freshest ingredients to create healthy dishes. Great selection of juices and salads.
HS Green – Known as a fresh food kitchen, dishes are made 100% from scratch, without any preservatives, and are customizable to fit healthy needs.
Flower Child – offers a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and organic dishes.
True Food Kitchen – Boasts a wide selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes.
Salata – The local salad enthusiast’s favorite place. With over 50 ingredients to choose from, you can make the salad of their dreams while keeping a balanced diet, as well as helping along your liposuction recovery process.
Hobbit Café – Continues to expand its menu while becoming one of Houston’s most favorite eating places. Their most popular offering is the Protein Platter, a tuna or chicken salad served on a bed of baby greens and tomatoes. They also offer the Mithril Mix Smoothie, a fiber-rich fruit drink that helps relieve constipation.
Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine – A local favorite for those looking for an Asian twist. They offer vegan-style dumplings such as the Mushu Vegetable Wrap and Crispy Vegan Chicken, both excellent for helping along the healing process of someone after a liposuction procedure.
Liposuction is not a substitute for losing weight or being healthy. Continuing poor eating habits will alter the results that you invested your time and money in. Protect your investment by making healthy lifestyle changes and enjoying your new body for many years to come!
what to eat after tummy tuck to reduce swelling
The swelling experienced after a tummy tuck procedure will present a little differently for each person, but generally, will appear then resolve in a few stages. A tummy tuck is a relatively invasive and extensive cosmetic surgery and as such, it requires adequate time to recover and see settled results. Tissue induration or firmness can last up to 6 months as inflammation slowly leaves the body.
Immediately post-procedure, abdominal tissues will tend to swell over the first few days- peaking roughly day 3-5. Many patients will describe a sensation of tightness and bloating. Your limbs may retain a little fluid for a day or two after your surgery but this is usually eliminated naturally within a day or two.
A significant amount of your swelling and/or bruising will come down by three weeks post op. Tummy tuck patients will wear a snug, elastic abdominal binder which applies consistent compression to the tissue and helps to minimize the risk for seroma (collections of fluid) under the surface. The binder or a compression garment will usually be worn for 3-6 weeks. Patients are advised to limit physical activity, including cardio-type workouts, for the first three weeks in order to further help reduce swelling and other risks. Once out of the binder and resuming normal daily activity, you may notice slight, rebound swelling which subsides within a few weeks. Gentle massage can be done by the patient after the second week to help move fluid away from the area and smooth contours.
Between 3 weeks and roughly two months post op, tummy tuck patients will note a significant decrease in swelling around their midsection, as well as most discomfort and remaining tightness. At 3 weeks, most patients feel like they are getting “back to themselves”, however, residual swelling of the abdomen can remain for up to 6 months.
The abdomen will often hold a little fluid in the tissues just above the incision line- where circulation and the lymphatic channels in the front of the body have been disrupted. This can create a small “muffin top” or overhang. The umbilicus, especially if a small hernia was repaired, is another area where residual inflammation may persist for a few months longer. This phase of waiting for all swelling to completely leave the body can be very frustrating and requires much patience. As you will see your most rapid changes in the first month or so, this last phase is important to understand and anticipate. 6 months is typically a good time to evaluate settled results for most people. In the long run, some patients will even experience minor, intermittent swelling when increasing activity levels a year or more after surgery.
The following are some factors which may influence post-abdominoplasty swelling:
– Muscle/diastasis recti repair – Supplementary liposuction done with the tummy tuck – The surgical plan: Mini, full or FAB tummy tuck, additional repair – The patient’s overall health
There are a few things you can do to ensure that you experience minimal swelling and recover more quickly. Following your plastic surgeon’s post-op instructions will help keep you on track.
Arnica tablets and Arnica based topical gel can help reduce both swelling and bruising.
Wear your post op garment properly, snugly and consistently for the duration of the time that you are advised to.
Avoid prolonged standing or sitting for the first couple of weeks and certainly avoid activity which elevates your heart rate and gets the blood pumping as you will increase blood pressure and tissue swelling.
Excessive twisting and turning at the waist as well can not only cause discomfort but increase fluid in the area.
what to eat after surgery to heal faster
Eating healthy foods is a great practice in life, but it is especially important after surgery. No matter how impactful your surgical procedure, your body is working hard to heal, and you can help by giving it the special care it needs through nutrient-rich foods.
The following foods contain nutrients that give your body the energy it needs to recover, strengthen your immune system, and help alleviate certain post-surgery side effects. Some foods even aid directly in healing damaged tissue and wounds.
Here are the top eight foods to eat after surgery:
1. Soups and broths
It is not uncommon after surgery to experience a bit of nausea or loss of appetite. Since it’s extremely important not to deprive your body of the nutrition and hydration it needs to recover, soups and broths can save the day if you’re dealing with this post-surgery side effect.
Soups are light and easy to swallow, while still providing vital nutrients for healing. Think about selecting soups that contain hearty amounts of vegetables and protein like black bean, vegetable, or lentil soups. Fluids are also a vital part of recovery, and soups help keep you hydrated while still packing a nutritional punch.
2. Fresh fruit
Antioxidants, found naturally in most fruit, boost your immune system by protecting your body’s cells from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules in the body that can cause disease, inflammation, and other problems. This is why you should make sure to fuel your healing body with plenty of antioxidants.
Berries–such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries–are all incredible sources of antioxidants. Other forms of fresh fruit, like oranges, peaches, and pears are great to incorporate into your post-surgery diet as well.
3. Vegetables
Speaking of antioxidants, dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and broccoli are well-known sources of these important nutrients as well. So this is the perfect opportunity to toss together an antioxidant-rich salad for lunch or dinner.
And don’t forget the toppings. Carrots, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and many other vegetables are packed with nutrients that support immune health and boost your energy as you recover.
4. Smoothies
Berries and fruits are the typical main ingredients, but leafy veggies like kale and spinach serve as the stars of “green” smoothies. Of course, a handful of veggies can also be artfully hidden in a fruit smoothie.
Blend in Greek yogurt, a scoop of nut butter, or flax seeds to maintain your blood sugar level with healthy fats and protein.
5. Lean meats and proteins
Did you know that protein builds and repairs muscle tissue, giving the food group wound-healing superpowers? This makes it all the more important to make protein a key element of your post-surgery diet.
To reap this food group’s full healing benefits, you will want to stay away from red meats and stick to lean meats such as fish and poultry. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan protein options as well. Beans, tofu, and even Greek yogurt are good choices.
6. Eggs
Eggs can be prepared both hard and soft, making them a versatile option as your post-surgery appetite changes. Oftentimes scrambled or poached eggs are the star component of breakfast, but hard-boiled eggs, prepared in advance, can make a quick and healthy afternoon snack option as well.
While high in protein, eggs also contain a hearty dose of the mineral zinc. Zinc can heal damaged tissue, and support the immune system, which means it is something you definitely do not want to neglect when it comes to healing a surgical wound.
The following two items on this list are also great sources of zinc.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are the perfect way to get a quick burst of energy. They provide all the above-mentioned benefits of protein without the hassle of preparation and cooking time, making them the perfect snack for your recovery period.
Many types of nuts also fall into the category of “healthy fats” which give your body energy, keep your immune system strong and even promote cell growth.
Grab a quick handful of almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), or sunflower seeds. Or top a piece of fruit or toast with peanut or almond butter. Flax and chia seeds also make powerful additions to oatmeal, toast, or yogurt.
Whole Grains
Because many post-surgery pain medications can cause constipation, it’s important to eat plenty of fiber while recovering. Fiber eases constipation and even acts as a scrub brush of sorts to clean out your colon.
Whole grains are a great source of fiber, and chances are they’re already a staple in your household. Whole wheat bread, brown rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, quinoa, and even popcorn are great sources. Plenty of pasta and cereals are made from whole grains as well—just check the nutrition label on the box!
Whole grains will also keep your energy up and help you maintain a healthy weight as your body recovers.
Eating the right foods after surgery is the perfect way to support your body as it recovers. And remember to always consult your doctor or surgeon when it comes to specific questions about your individual post-surgery dietary needs.
how to care for belly button after tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are among the top three most popular procedures among our patients at NuBody Concepts Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville and Memphis, TN. And if you worry about what happens to your belly button after a tummy tuck, you are not alone. Even most plastic surgeons agree that belly button reconstruction is an important, if not the most important, part of a tummy tuck.
Today we will explain everything you should know about belly button design.
The Aesthetics of Your Belly Button
You may remember comparing your belly button to those of your siblings or friends when you were a child. If you had an “outie,” you probably spent way too much time wishing for a prettier belly button – that perfectly round depression, not too shallow and not too deep, slightly more horizontal than vertical.
Or maybe you already had a perfectly nice belly button until pregnancy changed that entire landscape drastically. As your midsection expands, whether as a result of pregnancy and childbirth or another form of weight gain, your belly button also changes its appearance. Instead of round and tight it can become undefined or even shift its location. If you have a lot of excess skin, your belly button may be enlarged. It might be elongated and look more like a slit. Or it might be entirely invisible because the surrounding skin covers it up.
Since this usually happens gradually over time, we tend to forget that it doesn’t have to be this way. This is where a tummy tuck comes into play!
If I have a tummy tuck, what happens with my belly button?
A Tummy Tuck Needs a Well-Designed Belly Button
A tummy tuck is an excellent choice to remove excess skin and fat from your abdomen. While liposuction is less invasive, it can only tighten flabby skin so far. Patients who have undergone pregnancy or substantial weight loss or whose skin has lost its elasticity due to aging cannot attain an entirely flat stomach with liposuction alone. Only a tummy tuck can achieve that.
But you might ask: If I have a tummy tuck, what will happen to my belly button?
What Happens to the Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck
During tummy tuck surgery, a plastic surgeon removes – via excision – the patient’s excess fat and skin. Depending on the type of tummy tuck you’re having, he or she may also repair the abdominal muscle if it is torn or split (a common occurrence after pregnancy and childbirth called diastasis recti). As you might imagine, this will result in things moving around quite a bit, meaning your belly button will likely not end up in a natural-looking location unless it is reconstructed.
Luckily, experienced plastic surgeons know exactly what to do. And even better, there are many ways you can design a belly button – now may be the time for you to get your wish of a perfect one!
How Belly Button Reconstruction Works
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon for Your New Belly Button
While plastic surgery has its foundation in the medical science, it is often as much art as science. A good plastic surgeon has an eye for aesthetics, for what is pleasing to the eye, for the right proportions. Our navel may only be a small part of our bodies, but its location and shape are crucial for our overall look.
Belly button reconstruction – also known as an umbilicoplasty – can be performed standalone but is most often incorporated into tummy tuck surgery or even as part of a complete Mommy Makeover.
“Now may be the time for you to get your wish of a perfect belly button!”
A good plastic surgeon knows that a tummy tuck accomplishes more than just a flat tummy.
Planning Your Belly Button Design and Reconstruction
You may have heard of a “designer belly button.” To perform a tummy tuck for the sole purpose of getting yourself a nicer belly button would be an overkill, so the term is a bit misleading. But it’s certainly a good idea to discuss preferred placement and shape of your belly button with your plastic surgeon during your pre-surgery consultation.
It’s a good idea to bring in pictures of particular belly buttons you like. It may sound strange, but it will help your surgeon better understand your aesthetic goals. If you help your hairdresser understand which hairstyle you prefer by bringing in sample pictures, why not do the same when meeting with your plastic surgeon to discuss your tummy tuck and belly button placement?
Moving the Belly Button During Tummy Tuck Surgery
During a tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon makes a small incision around the belly button, leaving it attached to the abdominal wall underneath. He can now pull the released skin tight and remove any underlying fat. Once the stomach is completely flat with tightened skin, the surgeon repositions the belly button to the most aesthetically pleasing location and reattaches it to the skin. The good news: Given its nature, it’s not very hard to hide a scar inside a belly button, so there is no need to worry about scarring!
However, while it’s easy to hide the resulting stitches under the folds of the belly button, shaping and positioning it correctly requires the touch of a skilled plastic surgeon.
If you only have a small amount of loose skin, your belly button may already look close to normal. In that case, your surgeon may opt to simply remove some layers of fat without the need to repair any muscles or reposition the belly button. This is also referred to as a “mini tummy tuck.” Mini tummy tucks typically can be accomplished with a smaller scar than a full tummy tuck.
If you are unhappy with excess tummy flab, it may be time for a tummy tuck and get yourself a new belly button in the process. Your first step is to contact a plastic surgeon and schedule a personal consultation.
NuBody Concepts is a cosmetic surgery practice with offices in Nashville and Memphis, TN. We specialize in surgical-like results without scars or downtime to help women & men of all ages transform their bodies with a wide range of plastic surgery services. Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons achieve great results at an affordable price.