Do's and Don'ts After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Things you should NOT do after surgery:

At least for the first two weeks.

• Clean your house.
• Lift your kids or pets.
• Drive – the first week for sure
• Laundry
• Weigh or measure yourself
• Try on your clothes that you think will fit
• Grocery shopping – pushing the cart and lifting the bags is harder than you think
• Gardening
• Other than walking – no exercise
• Do not eat processed and packaged foods. The sodium will make you swell up like the Blueberry girl in Willy Wonka. Watch your sodium intake at all times.
• Do not drink soda. You do not want to put anything in your body that will cause gas and bloating.
• Don’t listen to negative people. There is always someone out there just trying to smack you down with their negativity. You did not do this procedure in vein, you are not selfish, you do deserve it, and you are not crazy to put yourself first for once. There is nothing better than feeling good about yourself. People who are jealous and closed minded will try to tear you apart in a second. I actually looked at one woman when she made a nasty comment to me and said the following to her……Did I ask for your opinion…NO, do I care what you think…NO, do I need your permission…NO, are you paying for this…NO. She was speechless and her jaw dropped. Yep, she was flapping her nasty comments at me and expected me to just take it….NOT.

Things you should do after surgery:

• Take your pain meds as prescribed. Stay on top of the dose and take on time. For the first three days make sure you take them around the clock to stay ahead of the pain. Don’t wait until you are past the point of no return and rolling around in the bed in agony. Don’t be a hero!
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy balanced diet.
• Let people take care of you.
• Massage your tummy gently. It helps circulation and feels good.
• Stay positive because this all will pass.
• Get outside and enjoy some sunshine. It will really help lift your spirits.
• Log onto RealSelf.com to chat with your friends. All of us on here know how you are feeling so will help cheer you up if you need it.
• Keep your eye on the prize and know there is an end to the healing process.
• Be proud of yourself for taking this step to improve your life and body.
• Be patient with the healing process. It is a long haul I know but you can do it. You will have good days and bad but it will all be worth it in the end. If you do get sad and depressed know that it is all part of the healing process. You are not crazy.
• Trust your instincts with your body. If something doesn’t feel right call your doctor right away. It never hurts to get it checked out. That is why they are there! I am sure they have heard and seen it all. I am pretty sure my doctor thinks I am a total nut! But a harmless one at that…

NEXT: Funny statements that have come out of my mouth during this process >>