
What you should never do before an abdominoplasty
What you should never do before an abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty is a procedure commonly performed nowadays and recommended especially for patients who have lost a massive amount of weight or had multiple pregnancies. The appearance of the tummy can be significantly affected by weight fluctuations, including the ones that occur during and after pregnancy. However, it is also the natural aging process that can cause a rather unpleasant appearance of the tummy to develop over the years. Unfortunately, when we are talking about an excess of skin especially on an area such as the abdomen, there are no other real solutions to correct it aside from the tummy tuck.
The tummy tuck is performed with the use of a general anesthetic and lasts between two to four hours or more, depending on the complexity of each case. The procedure is versatile and often customized to cater to the needs of the patient. This is why in some cases the procedure can also be performed with other procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, and even fat transfer to the hips if the patient aims to achieve the hourglass silhouette.
Just like any other elective surgery, there is a list of dos and don’ts before the procedure. When it comes to what you should never do before an abdominoplasty, here are the things you should know:
– Don’t keep a strict diet
You will be required to have a balanced eating regimen the month before the procedure and fast for a minimum of eight hours before the procedure to avoid complications related to the use of the general anesthetic. But keeping a strict diet before the tummy tuck is never a good idea. If your body goes through this period of not getting enough calories and nutrients, the recovery period can be longer and more complications can occur. Not to mention that the procedure should only be performed on patients of a normal weight who have managed to keep it stable for a minimum of eight months prior. Otherwise, complications can occur that can pose a threat to the well-being of the patient but also alter the beautiful results achieved with the surgery.
– Don’t take medication not recommended by the plastic surgeon
In an attempt to prepare the body for the surgical trauma that will follow, certain patients have the tendency to take natural supplements not recommended by the plastic surgeon. This is never a good idea to do before an abdominoplasty. The procedure is invasive and entails a long incision on a delicate area of the body. Taking certain medication can result in an increased risk of developing complications such as excessive bleeding or the formation of blood clots during or after the surgery. Anti-inflammatory medication is also mandatory to be avoided for at least ten to fourteen days before the procedure is scheduled and birth control pills have to be stopped a month before.