Avocados are a common food that people avoid after a tummy tuck. This is because the avocado’s high fat content can cause swelling or inflammation around the surgical site and delay healing. Additionally, avocados contain a lot of potassium, which can cause kidney issues in patients who have had kidney stones in the past.
It’s also important to avoid foods with high amounts of sodium, such as cured meats, pickled vegetables, and most canned soups and vegetables. The high sodium content can cause fluid retention—making you look bloated and swollen—and increase your risk for developing blood clots. Finally, it’s important to stay away from spicy foods for at least six weeks after surgery. Spicy foods can cause irritation around the incisions and increase your risk for infection.
Read on to learn more on Foods To Avoid After Tummy Tuck, Foods That Promote Healing After Tummy Tuck and Foods That Promote Healing After Tummy Tuck
Foods To Avoid After Tummy Tuck
A lot of our patients who had a tummy tuck surgery decided to remove excess fat and skin from their abdomen. Although it is useful in creating a firmer and smoother abdominal profile, the surgery alone will not give a permanent result.
If you want to thoroughly enjoy the outcome of your surgery, sticking to a healthy diet is a must. To guide you in maintaining your new and improved body here is out recommended post-tummy tuck diet.
Post-Tummy Tuck Diet: Food to Eat
For you to heal properly after the surgery, you need a high protein and high fiber diet. If your body fails to receive enough protein, the existing tissues might fail to repair and heal poorly.
I recommend that you include the following in your meal plan:
- Seafood like tuna and salmon are excellent sources of protein.
- Dairy such as cheese, skim milk and Greek yogurt are rich in protein and contain calcium and Vitamin D.
- Legumes that include soybeans and black beans are not only high in protein but are also rich in fiber.
- White-meat poultry like chicken and turkey contain lean protein and little fat.
- Eggs are very accessible and are jam-packed with protein.
Adding fiber-rich foods to your post-tummy tuck diet is also recommended. Fiber helps minimize the risk of constipation, which can be an aftereffect of pain medication. Consider having some of these high-fiber foods:
- Whole grains such as cereals and brown or wild rice are good for digestion and can make you feel full.
- Fruits and dark-colored vegetables like apple, strawberry, and artichoke – each contain 3 to 10 grams of fiber.
- Nuts and seeds that include almonds, sunflower seeds, and pistachios have at least 3 grams of fiber per ounce.
Post-Tummy Tuck Diet: Food to Avoid
It is best to cut the consumption of food that might cause bowel problems and the accumulation of excess fat.
I advise that you stay away from taking the following:
- Carb-heavy foods such as soft drinks, cake, and pasta are high in sugar and starch. These high-carb foods are less helpful to your body.
- Fatty and greasy foods such as potato chips, ice cream, and pizza all have at least 10-20 grams of fat per ounce. These foods contain a lot of calories which – if not burned – can bring back the lost fat on your stomach.
- Salty foods like French fries, instant noodles, and fast-food burgers can result in water absorption causing the affected area to swell.
Foods That Promote Healing After Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. The surgery is performed to improve the appearance of the abdominal area.
In general, a tummy tuck is considered safe for most people who are otherwise healthy. But like any major surgery, it does come with some risk.
The primary concern is infection. You can help prevent infection by taking antibiotics before and after your surgery, as prescribed by your doctor. You’ll also need to take care of yourself at home while you’re recovering from your surgery. A healthy diet can help speed your recovery and keep you strong during this time.
If you’re planning to have a tummy tuck, here are some tips for eating right:
After a tummy tuck, you may be tempted to dive right back into your normal diet. However, it is important to follow a healthy eating plan during your recovery and to avoid certain foods. Here are some food options that can help promote healing after tummy tuck surgery:
Lean Meats
Protein-rich lean meats such as chicken and fish should be at the top of your list when you are trying to heal. These foods help your body maintain lean muscle mass while also providing plenty of protein for tissue repair. They are also great sources of iron, which is essential for healing blood vessels.
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa and whole wheat pasta will provide fiber and other nutrients needed for healing. The fiber in these foods helps prevent constipation and other digestive issues that can sometimes arise after surgery. It also helps with weight control by promoting feelings of fullness while limiting calorie intake.
Vegetables & Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are great sources of vitamins A, C & E along with beta-carotene and other antioxidants that can help speed up healing time after surgery. You should try to eat at least five servings each day during this time period so you get all the benefits these foods
After your tummy tuck surgery, you will have a tummy tuck scar that will need to heal. This process can take anywhere from six months to a year depending on the size and type of surgery you had. The best way to promote your body’s ability to heal is by eating the right foods.
Foods That Promote Healing After Tummy Tuck
Some foods are better than others when it comes to healing after a tummy tuck. You want to eat foods that are high in protein, iron and calcium because they help with your body’s ability to rebuild cells and tissue. Here are some foods you should add into your diet:
Eggs – Eggs are a great source of protein and iron which is needed for cell regeneration. They also contain zinc which helps wounds heal faster. If you don’t like eating eggs, consider taking an egg supplement as this will give you all the benefits without having to eat them every day.
Beef – Beef is another good source of protein which helps your body build new cells quickly after surgery. Because beef is high in iron, it can help you heal faster if you have any internal bleeding from surgery or trauma from the surgery itself
The healing process after a tummy tuck is quite different from other surgical procedures. In some ways, it’s more like a long-term injury than a simple operation.
As such, there are certain foods you should avoid for the first few weeks after surgery. Then there are foods that promote healing and help your body recover from the trauma of surgery.