Tummy Tuck

Common Questions

WHAT PREOPERATIVE DIET DO YOU RECOMMEND?

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SURGERY

Three days before abdominal surgery, you should do the following in order to flatten stomach and concentrate your fat cells.

1. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
2. Begin a soft diet such as eggs, soup, cereal, pudding or Jello. One to two tablespoons of Metamucil or an equivalent in juice each day will add bulk to your diet and assist with elimination.
3. Two days before surgery have a full liquid diet consisting of soups, juices, low-calorie mild shakes, etc.
4. One day before surgery, have only clear liquids such as broth, Jello, apple juice, etc. Continue drinking plenty of fluids.

What time off is to be expected?

In most cases, a wait of 2-3 weeks before returning to work is about right. Depending on the extent of surgical repair, exercise can be started after 3-4 weeks and increased to a normal level at 6-8 weeks. An abdominal binder or tummy controlling panty hose should be worn for 2-4 weeks.

Are all Tummy Tucks the same?

Varying patient abdominal wall abnormalities dictate the combination of techniques needed to improve the profile and contour of the abdomen combinations of the factors of muscle quality thickness of the fat pad layer, and skin laxity direct the selection process. As such individual needs are different and thus the procedure is designed to repair the patients rather than every patient getting the same procedure.

Can this be done on an outpatient basis?

Smaller less involved procedures may thought more extensive procedures generally require a overnight stay.

How long is the scar?

The length at the incision is just long enough to reach the end of the relaxed abdominal wall across the lower abdomen. This typically is from one pelvic bone to the other.

Are drains used and how long are thy left in?

Drains are used in all various forms of abdominal wall tuck procedures other than just liposuction alone. The drains typically stay in a week unless the daily volume output of the drains taper off sooner or later.

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