What to Expect Before, During, and After a Tummy Tuck

Getting a tummy tuck is a major life event that requires plenty of thought before going through with it. For one, there are symptoms that you’ll have to deal with after the surgery, meaning you’ll have to take off work for a significant amount of time – depending on the type of tummy tuck. Another is that there are risks that could hospitalize you if you’re not careful.

Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon

The single most important choice when considering a tummy tuck, says Dr. Jan Zemplenyi, is choosing the right cosmetic surgeon to perform your procedure. Now, tummy tuck surgery requires specialized training and experience to ensure a safe and successful outcome. Consult with a cosmetic surgeon and ask how many procedures he has performed and how frequently he performs them. This will help give you a rough idea on how experienced he is.

During the Procedure

During a tummy tuck, you’ll obviously be under an anesthetic that’ll knock you out for the duration of the surgical procedure. Upon finishing, you’ll be bandaged up and be required to stay under the watchful eye of a specialist until he or she instructs you to go home. At the Bel Red Center for Aesthetic Surgery, that may include around the clock monitoring and several checkups. Depending on the type of tummy tuck you may have to stay at an overnight hospital – although it just depends.

Post Op Expectations and Care

After you are able to go home, your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on how to keep the wound clean and well-maintained to avoid infection. This involved a multitude of steps that might seem tedious but it’s for your own well-being. Be sure to put a lot of care into this so you do not end up making a trip back to the hospital due to a severe infection – which actually happens quite often due to neglect.