How To Maintain A Flat Stomach After A Tummy Tuck

A flat stomach is something that most people strive for. In this guide, we find out How To Maintain A Flat Stomach After A Tummy Tuck, warning signs after tummy tuck, why am i gaining weight after tummy tuck, and How can I tone my stomach after a tummy tuck?

Everyone wants to have a flat stomach. It’s the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and can make you look and feel better about yourself. After all, one of the main reasons people decide to get tummy tucks is to improve their appearance and self-esteem! While most patients do get exactly what they want after surgery, there are still some things they can do post-surgery to preserve their results over time. Here are my tips for maintaining a flat stomach after a tummy tuck:

How To Maintain A Flat Stomach After A Tummy Tuck

Practice smart eating habits.

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Avoid sugar and fats.
• Avoid processed foods and fast food.
• Stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water every day.

Keep a routine of daily exercise.

A regular routine of exercise is essential to maintaining a flat stomach after a tummy tuck. The best type of exercise to perform is one that strengthens your abdominal muscles and improves coordination, balance and posture. There are many simple exercises you can do at home or in the gym, including:

• Crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place hands behind head, fingers interlaced with palms down; lift shoulder blades off floor as you contract abdominal muscles (bend forward from waist). Hold for two to five seconds before returning to starting position; repeat 10 times; increase intensity by lifting legs off floor so body forms an “L” shape at hips.
• Leg lifts – Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor about hip-width apart (keep thighs parallel); place hands behind head, fingers interlaced with palms down; slowly raise legs six inches off ground while keeping them straight until they form 90 degree angles at knees (do not lock out knees); hold for two seconds then slowly lower legs back onto ground; repeat 10 times; increase intensity by holding weights while doing leg lifts.* Crunch machines are great if you have access to one but dumbbells can also be used effectively if you don’t have access to either machine or gym membership!

Visit your doctor for follow-up appointments.

If you want to keep your flat stomach, it’s important to visit your doctor regularly so that they can monitor your progress and make sure that you are doing everything right. You should also follow their instructions, because sometimes people may not understand or might be too eager and end up doing too much or too little.

Maintaining a flat stomach after a tummy tuck is essential for preserving the effects of your surgery.

Maintaining a flat stomach after a tummy tuck is essential for preserving the effects of your surgery. As you know, having a flat stomach after surgery is not guaranteed. It requires maintenance on your part, and it’s up to you to do what you can to keep your body looking good!

Here are some tips that will help ensure that you maintain your flat stomach after a tummy tuck:

• Maintain proper posture throughout the day. When sitting down or standing up, make sure that you’re not slouching and keep your back straight so as not to create any unnecessary tension in the abdominal area. This will help prevent unsightly bulges from forming in these areas which might have been avoided if only proper posture was maintained at all times during waking hours (while sleeping and exercising are both exceptions since those activities require different postures).
• Drink plenty of water every day – this helps reduce bloating which contributes greatly towards making one appear fatter than they really are (and we don’t want that!). Drink at least 8 glasses every day- don’t worry about measuring how much liquid exactly goes into each glass because accuracy isn’t important here; just try being mindful about how much water ends up going down into each glass first thing when getting out bed each morning before anything else happens like brushing teeth etcetera…

warning signs after tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty is a major, complex surgery performed on patients with an unsightly appearance of the tummy caused by skin sagginess. There are many causes behind the skin folds that can occur on the inferior part of the tummy and cover a part of the pubic area or the entire area. Among the frequent causes are multiple pregnancies, considerable weight loss, and the natural aging process.

When abdominoplasty is performed, the plastic surgeon will make an incision on the suprapubic area that will be used to detach the skin from the muscles. This allows the plastic surgeon access to the abdominal muscles that are strengthened with sutures and brought together on the median line. The skin is then re-draped on the tummy ensuring there is good tension in it and the excess skin is excised before the incisions are then sutured. Aside from the incision on the suprapubic area, the patient might also need an incision around the navel, if the reposition of the belly button was mandatory and also on the flanks if there are skin folds present in the area as well.

After the procedure, the patient is moved to recovery where he will spend no longer than a few hours until the side effects of the general anesthesia dissipate. After this, the patient is helped off the bed and free to leave the medical facility. Upon the return home, the patient is advised to pay attention to the warning signs that could occur. Keep in mind that the first few days after the tummy tuck procedure is the period with an increased risk of developing a complication such as infection.

The signs of an infection are high fever, intense pain in the operated area, pus coming from the incision site, and redness in the area. To avoid an infection, the plastic surgeon will prescribe antibiotics to be taken for five days post-op. However, it is essential to notice the signs as soon as they occur to get medical assistance.

Another worrying sign that can occur after abdominoplasty is excessive bleeding. Excessive bleeding can weaken the body and immune system and prolong the recovery process. It can occur if the patient took anti-inflammatory medication and even some natural supplements which have blood thinning properties before the surgery. Excessive bleeding might also occur if the patient applied too much pressure on the incisions and caused them to rupture. In very rare cases, excessive bleeding might be caused by internal trauma. Make sure to get medical assistance in case this occurs.

It is normal to feel a bit under the weather and even irritable and nauseous after abdominoplasty and until the effects of the general anesthetic completely disappear, but if a general unwell sensation is persistent, make sure to contact the plastic surgeon.

why am i gaining weight after tummy tuck

Tummy tuck surgery is a transformative procedure that sculpts and tones the midsection. It is often used after pregnancy or significant weight loss to get rid of loose skin and unwanted fat. However, many patients worry that gaining weight after their tummy tuck will ruin their hard-earned results. It’s true that putting on pounds can change your new look—but there are ways to prevent this from happening.

All humans have natural weight fluctuations, but it’s useful to know the connection between weight gain and tummy tuck surgery. We offer our Roswell and Atlanta, GA, patients the following tips:

How Tummy Tuck Surgery Works

A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that cuts away unwanted skin and fat from the lower belly and flanks. The procedure begins with your doctor making a low hip-to-hip incision across the bikini line area. Using this incision, they can remove fatty tissue and pull loose skin into a firm, taut position. Other body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, are often combined with the procedure.

Because a tummy tuck is a more extensive surgery, patients need around 10 to 14 days to recover. The results are long-lasting, and the removed fat cells won’t grow back—but remaining fat cells may expand and the skin may re-stretch if you gain a large amount of weight. 

Gaining Weight After a Tummy Tuck

Patients may gain weight after their tummy tuck for a variety of reasons. By understanding how weight gain happens in the first place, you can do a better job of avoiding these pitfalls. 

Lifestyle

The most common culprit of unwanted weight gain is simply unhealthy lifestyle choices. Eating high-calorie foods while living a sedentary lifestyle can cause you to gain weight quickly. If you want to maintain a slim, lean figure, there’s no replacement for a balanced diet and regular exercise. No matter how many plastic surgery procedures you decide to undergo, establishing healthy habits is the best way to look and feel your best. 

Hormones

Your hormone levels fluctuate throughout the course of your life, starting first in puberty. They can also change depending on your diet, genetics, or age. If your hormones are unbalanced, your body may gain weight at a dramatic rate. If exercise and healthy eating aren’t enough to correct the problem, try talking to a doctor to see if you can be tested for a hormonal condition. 

Stress

Stress puts pressure on nearly every part of your body and nervous system. It often causes people to eat more and sleep less—two things that both contribute to weight gain. Stress can also cause hormonal issues like the ones mentioned above. If you’re going through a tough patch, try activities such as exercise or journaling to help put your system back in alignment. 

Post-Surgery Water Retention

Surgery puts a lot of strain on the body as it attempts to recover and heal. Sometimes water is retained in the spaces between your organs, leading to a bloated appearance. Swollen hands and feet can be a sign that you need more time to naturally process these fluids. Try to stay active and carefully follow any post-op instructions given by your doctor. 

What Happens Next?

Gaining a handful of pounds after your procedure won’t compromise your final tummy tuck results. You can usually fluctuate within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight without any significant issues. However, weight gain over the 15-pound mark can cause skin and abdominal muscles to slowly stretch out of place. This can create a belly bulge and impact the elasticity of your skin.

In severe cases, you may need tummy tuck revision if you are unable to lose the new weight. Revision surgery is typically more complicated than the initial procedure, so try to avoid this last-chance solution. Instead, we encourage our patients to lead healthy, active lifestyles after surgery and avoid any major lifestyle changes.

How can I tone my stomach after a tummy tuck?

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that reduces and removes unwanted fat and skin in the abdominal area. It also tightens the abdominal muscles when necessary. Getting a tummy tuck is an exciting process, but what should you expect post-op? After the surgery and throughout the first few weeks of recovery, you will likely see a tremendous difference in your body and will probably be excited to resume your regular activities and workouts. But, before you jump on the treadmill or pick up a kettlebell and start lifting, it is important to follow these six steps to working out after a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Guide

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1. Listen to Your Doctor

Before you do ANY physical activity, talk to your doctor about what you should expect from exercise after an abdominoplasty surgery and how long you should wait to get started after your procedure. Your surgeon’s response will depend upon your condition prior to surgery, your personal surgical experience and how your body is recovering. If you were a marathon runner before your procedure, you will most likely return to your active lifestyle more quickly than someone who spent more time on the couch. The doctors at Belcara Health will recommend an exercise schedule that aligns with your fitness level and recovery needs. The physical demands of your job will also influence your surgeon’s advice on when you should return to work; those with sedentary jobs usually return to work more quickly than those with jobs that require vigorous physical exertion.

2. Sit Up and Get Up

Immediately following a tummy tuck procedure, even the most physically fit people may need support with seemingly simple tasks like sitting up and down. It is important to move around a bit in the first 24 hours following your abdominoplasty surgery to help promote blood circulation. But, make sure to have someone present when you first begin, because you may be unsteady. Walking after tummy tuck surgery is important; each day following your procedure, you should walk a little bit longer and a bit farther, to increase your strength and facilitate healing.

3.Perform Light Cardiovascular Activity Soon After Surgery

Should your tummy tuck require tightening the abdominal muscles, as in most cases, it usually takes about 2 weeks before you will be able to begin light cardiovascular exercise. Again, it is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise after plastic surgery. Once you receive approval, you can begin with light exercise activities that raise your heart rate without directly engaging your abdominal or core muscles, such as walking, elliptical or stationary cycling. If your tummy tuck is “skin-only,” meaning only the skin is excised and tightened but no tightening of the muscles is necessary, then recovery is quicker and you will be able to return to pre–surgery exercise levels sooner.

4. Strengthen Your Upper Body and Legs, but Avoid Your Abdominals

Once you are comfortable with light cardiovascular activity, most patients can begin performing light weight lifting activities about 3 weeks after a tummy tuck procedure. These should be exercises that strengthen your arms, chest, shoulders, and legs – in addition to light cardio activities. Again, it is important to avoid heavy weight lifting during this time. You will want to avoid pull ups, power lifting, planking, sit-ups or other abdominal or lifting exercises. (Who doesn’t love an excuse to avoid burpees?) This is a time when having a personal trainer is crucial to your recovery. They can provide you with targeted exercises that do not put undue stress on the abdominals, ensuring your tummy tuck recovery timeline remains as short as possible.

5. Start Working Out Those Abs

After about 5-6 weeks following your tummy tuck procedure, and once your surgeon has given you approval, you can gradually start to expand your exercise program, including pilates and yoga. Again, a personal trainer is an invaluable resource during this time. They can coach you on form, duration, and even progression of exercises as you regain strength in your abdominal muscles. You should still avoid any heavy weight lifting or exercises that target the abdominal muscles until your physician permits it. This is because ab toning exercises after a tummy tuck only lead to stress in the region, which can adversely affect your recovery.

6. Resume Your Normal Workout Routine

Congratulations! At around 7-10 weeks after your tummy tuck procedure, you should be cleared to ease into your normal exercise routine. You can begin doing crunches, sit ups, and planks, as long as you progressively increase your repetitions. We recommend focusing on performing these exercises with impeccable form. Be sure to pay attention to your body as you resume your routine. Start slow, set reasonable goals, trust your body, and listen to what it needs.

Every patient is unique and every recovery process is personal; your recovery will not be the same as your sister’s or your friend’s. Your genetic makeup, pre-surgery fitness level, nutrition habits, environment, and support structure all play a part in your recovery time – and your surgeon’s advice takes these and many other factors into account. In order to achieve the results you desire, it is critical to follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions for care after a tummy tuck with precision. Trying to skip recovery steps or pushing through the recovery process too hard not only yields frustration, it can undo the results you have already achieved.

Is a Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty Procedure Right for You?

A tummy tuck procedure is a big decision, but can also be life changing. At Belcara Health, we want you to be as comfortable as possible and excited about your decision, which is why we offer a private in-person consultation with your doctor, as well as, virtual consultations to address any concerns you may have prior to surgery. Schedule your private consultation today by contacting us online or calling 410-296-0414.