If you have had a tummy tuck and are having trouble losing weight after surgery, there are some things you can do to help yourself. First of all, you should eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. This will help your body to function properly and burn fat more efficiently. You should also try to exercise regularly by walking or running outdoors or doing yoga at home. You should not try any kind of fad diet because these diets do not work in the long term and they can cause health problems such as heart disease or diabetes later on down the road if followed too closely over
Tummy tuck surgery is a popular procedure that can help you to achieve your desired body, but it can also leave you with excess fat and skin. Excess weight and skin can be a problem for those who have recently undergone the surgery, but it can also be an issue for those who have had the procedure in the past.
Read on to learn more about Hard To Lose Weight After Tummy Tuck
Hard To Lose Weight After Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, clinically referred to as abdominoplasty, is a type of body contouring surgery designed to tighten loose core muscles and remove excess skin & fat on the abdomen. Because a tummy tuck provides numerous benefits, ranging from increased mobility to improved posture, many patients have reported sustained weight loss following their procedures—but is this normal? Today, San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus answers the question, “Is it easier to lose weight after a tummy tuck?”
Findings from the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal
According to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), one year after their procedure 70% of tummy tuck patients had lost weight beyond the weight they lost from surgery. On average, participants lost 4.5% of their original BMI one year after their procedure.
On average, study participants lost 4.5% of their original BMI one year after their tummy tuck.
So, what are the reasons these tummy tuck patients were able to continue weight loss following their surgeries? Let’s take a look at a few:
1. Removing excess tissues can make it easier to keep weight off
Both physical and psychological factors can help patients keep weight off—or even lose more weight—following a tummy tuck. They include :
- The physical factor: Since tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin and fat, and can correct diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), patients often feel lighter and more mobile after their procedure. As a result, physical activity is often easier and more enjoyable, which can encourage further weight loss.
- The psychological factor: You know that amazing feeling you get when you look in the mirror and love who you see? Because a tummy tuck can help you feel better about your appearance, it can be a huge motivator to maintain, or even improve upon, your results.
As you can see, these factors work together to create a positive feedback loop where the better you feel, the more likely you are to take good care of yourself, which in turn helps you look and feel even better.
2. A tummy tuck may help reduce hunger
While further research is still needed, another reason patients may be able to sustain weight loss after their tummy tuck is due to increased satiety—i.e. feeling fuller for a prolonged period of time after eating. According to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery study, three-fourths of participants reported an increased feeling of satiety after their tummy tuck. Researchers posit that this may be due to two reasons:
- Tightening of the abdominal muscles. Plication, or tightening, of the abdominal muscles during tummy tuck surgery may restrict the stomach’s ability to expand, thus making it more difficult to overeat.
- Changes in the neuroendocrine system. Because hormones that cause hunger are stored in fat cells, tummy tuck surgery may reduce hunger by removing fat cells in the abdomen.
Researchers believe that tummy tuck surgery may curb hunger, helping patients keep weight off following their procedure.
Tummy tuck vs. weight loss surgery: which is right for me?
According to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery study, long-term weight loss was more common among women who had an initial BMI of 24.5 or greater (a BMI of 25-30 is considered overweight). Furthermore, another study examining the outcomes of abdominoplasty among overweight and obese patients concluded that “patient satisfaction is overwhelmingly high” among this population.
That said, if you have a BMI greater than 35, you may be a better candidate for weight loss surgery than a tummy tuck. Weight loss, or bariatric, surgery can help people with more significant amounts of body fat reach a healthy, stable weight. Once your target weight is achieved, a tummy tuck combined with liposuction can help remove the excess skin and stubborn fat deposits you may still have after weight loss surgery, and tighten separated stomach muscles.
Avoid weight gain with proper diet & exercise
While a tummy tuck can help you sculpt your abdomen after pregnancy or weight fluctuations, it shouldn’t be seen as a weight loss solution. In fact, you should be at or near your goal weight before undergoing abdominoplasty to help ensure you achieve the best results.
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we like to think of tummy tuck surgery as the opportunity to fine-tune your belly and jump-start a healthy lifestyle. Most of our patients are so thrilled with their slimmer, tighter abdomens that they become highly motivated to eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Diet After Tummy Tuck And Lipo
Any surgical procedure in general, and a tummy tuck — also known as abdominoplasty — in particular, needs important considerations for a fast recovery and a low risk of complications.
A person who undergoes a tummy tuck, in addition to a list of foods physicians recommend to eat before the operation, will need a systematic post-surgery diet as it plays an important role in the healing process, having a direct impact on the tissue reconstruction and regeneration as well as the recovery process, in general.
By following a special post-operative diet after a tummy tuck surgery, patients can reduce the side effects of their abdominoplasty.
The post-tummy tuck diet is a list of foods doctors recommend patients to eat during the first week following the surgery.
WHAT FOODS TO AVOID AFTER TUMMY TUCK
Processed foods: promote inflammation. Patients should avoid eating processed foods, especially carbohydrates like bread, rice, and cereal.
Alcohol and cigarettes: slow the body’s healing process and thin the blood. Physicians recommend avoiding alcohol and smoking generally from 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after surgery.
Salt: avoid salty foods for at least two to four months after tummy tuck. This is mostly because it may cause body bloat and nobody wants that after a tummy tuck!
Soda: leads to gas and bloating.
Fat: “Fat is the enemy!” Yes, keep this in mind. You have undergone tummy tuck only to get rid of your fats; if you expect a promising result, you should accept the limitations in your diet and take a different lifestyle with exercise and nutritional considerations on the top.
“Not all fat is bad!” Keep this in mind, too. Bad fat is saturated fat that is solid at room temperature and is found in most animal products, as well as fried and processed foods.
Just because you have got rid of fat deposits does not mean that all types of fats are bad. A healthy amount of good fat is essential for your health. The sources of good fat are olive oil, fruits like avocados, nuts, and grains.
A post-op diet does not limit or cut delicious foods, but only creates a healthy lifestyle through restraining unhealthy foods and encouraging healthy and nutritious foods. Therefore, it is important to follow certain dietary guidelines after your abdominoplasty and control your daily intake of calories, fat, sugar, salt, etc.
WHAT FOODS TO EAT AFTER TUMMY TUCK
The key here is to focus on low fat, or lean proteins and make that the foundation of your post-surgery diet.
Water
Drinking plenty of water after tummy tuck surgery helps the body heal faster.
After the patient regains complete consciousness after surgery, and in the absence of nausea and vomiting, it is possible to use liquids such as water and juice.
If you keep your body dehydrated, essential nutrients will face problems being transmitted to the surgical site.
Loss of water, as well as low-fiber diet and narcotic pain medications, cause constipation and this, in turn, would lead to abdominal pain. Include foods that are high in fiber in your post-op diet and drink ample amounts of fluid to avoid constipation.
Plain water, light tea, fruit juice, and soups made from fresh and lean meat are recommended for post-op tummy tuck diet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates help restore body strength and help with quick recovery. They prevent muscle loss and stimulates rejuvenation process. Whole grains, brown rice, oatmeal, etc., are good sources of healthy carbohydrates.
Vitamins
Taking vitamins A and C after surgery will ensure optimal healing of the incision, aid skin regeneration, and reduce bruising and the risk of infection.
Vitamin A is found in eggs, dairy, and cod liver oil. Vitamin C is found in citrus, tomatoes, strawberries, and leafy greens.
Proteins
Protein is a key factor in building new cells and structures efficiently throughout the entire healing process. It is found in eggs, lean meats, lean fish, beans, nuts, seeds, dairy products like yogurt, etc.
Post abdominoplasty medications
Caution should be exercised in taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen) because most of them are all blood-thinning medicines, which can slow wound healing and cause bleeding. Consult with your doctor about the best pain killer after your tummy tuck surgery.
Medications must be taken only with the doctor’s approval.
Your doctor may also prescribe some antibiotics to reduce your risk of developing an infection, which may cause pain, fever, swelling, warmth, or pus.
Following the post-tummy tuck diet rigorously can help you heal faster from your surgery and can certainly help you build stronger muscles to promote the good work your abdominoplasty began.
Keep this old saying in mind: “Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess, and dinner like a pauper.”
Warning
This article only provides patients with a general approach to diet and medication in the post-surgery period. You, as a patient, should never attempt to self-prescribe post-surgery healing supplements because they could interfere with your recovery. Consult your physician to determine the appropriate diet for your recovery.
Things To Avoid After Tummy Tuck
In order to make sure you get the best results possible, you need to take tummy tuck recovery seriously. A tummy tuck removes any hanging skin and excess fat around the abdomen, resulting in a trim, toned stomach, and is a popular procedure after major weight loss or pregnancy, helping patients show off their new and fit physique or reclaim their pre-pregnancy body.
The last thing you want to do is complicate your health and new flat tummy by not adhering to the guidelines of a tummy tuck recovery plan. There are certain things you need to avoid during the process to make sure there are no complications, that all sutures heal properly, and you get long-lasting results. Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience performing various surgeries, including tummy tucks, helping patients in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, say “bye-bye” to their belly. Here is his list of exactly what recovering patients need to avoid after a tummy tuck procedure.
Don’t Attempt Recovery Solo
During tummy tuck recovery, you will need help. Even if you are usually an independent person in every phase of your life, you need to let your guard down and ask your support system for help. This can be friends, family, coworkers, or any other individual who cares about you. Tummy tuck recovery involves a lot of rest, and you will not be able to perform a lot of the daily tasks that are a standard part of your everyday life. That is why you need to make arrangements before the procedure to make sure you and your support system are prepared for your recovery.
Don’t Stay Totally Sedentary
Following surgery, you will likely be tired and in some discomfort, and all you will want to do is rest. This will be especially true if your plastic surgeon also utilized liposuction to help you get the best possible results. However, after surgery, it is important to get your blood flowing to avoid the formation of blood clots. You may be asked to walk around as early as the first day of your tummy tuck recovery, with a friend or family member assisting you as you try to get your blood pumping to aid the healing process. No matter what, do not walk around alone, since your balance and strength can be affected for the first couple of days following the surgery.
No Alcohol with Pain Medication
If you are prescribed pain medication to help treat any discomfort, then you need to avoid drinking alcohol. Mixing alcohol with pain medication is always a bad idea, especially if your body is recovering from a surgical procedure and your surgery required the use of anesthesia.
No Nicotine of Any Kind
Nicotine can hurt the healing process. You need to avoid smoking for at least the first six weeks of tummy tuck recovery, as smoking can lead to complications and hinder your ability to fully recover.
Avoid Strenuous Activities and Lifting Heavy Objects
In the early phase of your tummy tuck recovery, you want to avoid putting needless pressure on your incision site. Lifting heaving objects and other strenuous activities—moving any objects over five pounds, bending and twisting for household chores, and other exercises—are huge hindrances that will easily cause pressure. Patients are generally asked to avoid strenuous activities for six weeks following surgery.
Stay Home from Work for Two to Three Weeks
You cannot recover from tummy tuck surgery at work. You need to be at home, comfortable, and relaxed for two to three weeks following surgery. Tummy tuck recovery is different for everyone, and some patients have returned to work in as little as 10 days; however, the typical patient needs to take at least 14 days off to give themselves the time they need to heal.
Keep Your Scar Out of the Sun
Regardless of whether you undergo a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck, the incision is strategically made in order to hide the resulting scar from being easily visible. Depending on the skill and expertise of your plastic surgeon, the incision should be made in such a way that it cannot be seen when you are wearing clothing, even if you are in a swimsuit. However, during tummy tuck recovery, it is the patient’s responsibility to do everything possible to help the scar properly heal so that it will fade over time. That means keeping the scar out of the sun, since the sun will make the scar worse via causing inflammation and discoloration. If you are unable to avoid the sun, liberally apply sunscreen and reapply at least every hour.
Don’t Sleep on Your Stomach
If you are a stomach sleeper, you’ll want to practice sleeping in a different position in the weeks leading up to surgery. Until all soreness has gone away, you are advised to avoid sleeping on your stomach. Not only will this help you avoid discomfort while sleeping, but it also will put less stress on your stomach when you try to switch from a lying position to a sitting position.
Avoid Drastic Weight Gain
Now that you have a firm stomach, you need to avoid any drastic weight fluctuations. A tummy tuck is a long-lasting and effective procedure that removes excess hanging skin from around the belly, but gaining weight will reverse the effects of the procedure. Your skin will stretch back out, resulting in a return of the dreaded loose skin that your tummy tuck surgery removed. In order to make sure the results of your tummy tuck last, try to keep your weight from going above the level it was at when you underwent the procedure.