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How Low Can I Cut my Calories During Tummy Tuck Recovery?

asked 1 year ago by shanon0307 in South Carolina
Latest answer by Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Question viewed 596 times
Tags: 130-149 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, calories

I have lost 95 lbs and my biggest concern with having the tummy tuck and lipo is that i cant workout and I work out at least 4 days a week so I am nervous that not working out for 6 weeks could make me gain some weight but I dont want to cut calories too low because I want to heal properly. I am just curious what is the best way to handle this I am 5ft 3 and weigh 130. I was thinking I should cut my calories to about 1300 calories a day.Thank you for your help

13 answers to How Low Can I Cut my Calories During Tummy Tuck Recovery?

Dieting after cosmetic surgery (tummy tuck)

Good nutrition before and after your surgery are essential for wound healing and recovery. I would not concentrate on calorie reduction during your recovery period. It is important to have a good intake of proteins and nutrients to sustain good wound healing. The surgery itself will remove excess fat and make a significant difference.

Frank Agullo, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

Cutting Calories

Hello Shanon, Congratulations on losing almost 100 pounds! I wish you the best of luck with your abdominoplasty, it should be a dramatic and transforming procedure that should make you very happy. You obviously know how to lose weight, but let me just reinforce some concepts. Diet is 95% of losing or maintaining weight loss. Relying on excessive exercise programs or very low calorie diets will eventually fail; both set up a 'starvation mode' in... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

How to Avoid Gaining Weight During Healing Period After Surgery

I agree the most important factor to consider is proper nutrition. If you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and grilled or baked meat (chicken, fish, or even grass fed beef-which is low in fat) it will be hard to gain too much or any weight at all. Even if you gain a few pounds, you can easily lose it once you start your exercise routine. Do not cheat your body during the healing process.

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

Proper healing requires proper nutrition.

If you are planning to go ahead with a tummy tuck operation, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and adequate protein intake. The healing process will require additional calories to create stable and healthy scar tissue. This means adequate caloric intake including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Zinc and Vitamin C are very important co-factors in wound healing. Either supplementation or simply an 8oz glass of orange juice will suffice. Although you will have restrictions on core... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Good nutrition is key after surgery.

Good nutrition is key after surgery. Just make sure you are eating balanced meals and keep your stomache full before you take your pain medications. Stay away from fatty foods and you will be fine. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Proper nutrition after cosmetic surgeery

Proper nutrition after any surgical procedure is very impportant and will help with wound healing. I would recommend a diet that is primarily based on fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes (beans). I would stay away from all meat, dairy, and anything with saturated or trans fats in it. I would alsomseverely limit any processed carbs ( no bread, pasta, white rice etc.). You cannot eat to much fresh fruits and veggies and you'll get all the most important nutrients in abundance. Take a... more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Nutrition following a tummy tuck

Healing from a tummy tuck requires considerable nutrition and depriving your body of the necessary calories and building blocks of healing would be counterproductive. A 1300 calorie diet will fall into this category. Initially your appetite will be decreased from the surgery so this won't present a problem with increasing your weight. Make sure that you have a high protein and well balanced diet for at least 6 - 8 weeks postoperatively. It doesn't need to be 4000... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Tummy tuck

Watching your diet is a good idea. Be careful in not overeating from the carbohydrate group. Limit your intake in the usual culprits as well (sugar/fats/fried foods).

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Calorie counting and tummy tuck

I would encourage you to forget calorie counting during the first several weeks after a tummy tuck. Most patients find that they are not very hungry after surgery and many find that they get full with smaller meals. Eating a well balanced diet with adequate protein, carbs, and fats.

Delio Ortegon, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.sacs-sa.com

Dieting through a tummy tuck

With caution dieting through a tummy tuck can make perfect sense, especially to those who have experienced the struggle and success of significant weight loss, and worry about the potential for a backslide during recovery. Healing does require a high quality diet, one that is protein rich and contains all vitamins and essential fats. Total calories are important and calorie restriction to 1300 daily will allow healing during rest, but quality is key. You may wish to map out a meal plan... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Counting Calories

I agree with Dr. Shafer that good nutrition is extremely important during recovery. Your Board certified Plastic Surgeon will release you to begin exercising again before you know it. Focus on healing and healthy eating during the recovery phase. Best wishes!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Good nutrition during recovery

After your surgery you want to gradually increase your activity according to your surgeon's recommendations. Following a tummy tuck you will be a little slow to increase your food intake so you do not want to count calories for the first couple of weeks. Focus on good nutrition and high quality foods and let the calories work themselves out. After a couple of weeks, 1300 calories should be fine if you are taking a good balance of nutrients and vitamins. Best Wishes... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Healing from Tummy Tuck

It is very important that you have good nutrition during the recovery phase after your surgery. I would not concentrate on calorie reduction during this time. The surgery is going to make an incredible difference and you should do everything you can to maximize the results. Good Luck.