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Tips for Aiding Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction Recovery?

I am scheduled for a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and a breast reduction. Can anyone give me some tips to insure the best possible recovery? Last year in August, I had back surgery and I learned that I needed a LOT of "stuff" to aid in my recovery. Is there anything I need to buy before hand?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by sha9830 in New Port Richey, Florida

Doctor Answers (17)
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Preparing for a Good Recovery is Important!

Here are some tips for getting ready for your surgery: Good nutrition Protein is the building block of healing: I recommend about 1/2 gram of protein per pound body weight in the weeks before surgery Exercise: cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness will help to reduce complications muscle toning will help your tummy repair your body stores the protein you'll need for repair in... more

Tips for recovery.

Along with the normal pre-op instructions, I think it is very important to go into surgery well hydrated. That may mean avoiding alcohol and caffeine prior to surgery. It also means that you shouldn't go on a long run (or other big workout) the day before surgery. Drink lots of water in the week leading to surgery. If you maintain good hydration you may experience less nausea and headaches and will just feel better.

Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction: Liitle suggestions to ease your recovery

In your particular situation judging from this limited picture, it may be wise to stage the procedures. It is not uncommon to perform combined procedures but as you can judge from the other physician's comments here, yours is a little more complex. You would likely benefit from an extended tummy tuck rather than a traditional tummy tuck. In and of itself, this means it would take longer than usual. Much of the same ":stuff " that made your back surgery easier will make your tummy... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Two big surgeries - consider staging them

These are two big surgeries and one thing to discuss with your surgeon is to whether staging them would be not only safer but also would make your recovery easier as well. Two shorter procedures are alwasy safer than one long one. That is the first tip for making your recovery easier. Also the risk of blood clots in your leg that can go to your lung goes up the longer your surgical time is. Although rare, that is a very serious risk and discuss with your surgeon what steps are being taken to... more

Aiding in Mommy Makeover recovery

Great question! I think that making your house ready for your arrival is one of the things that most patients don't consider. Sure, your doctor will tell you what medicine to take and what to wear, but very rarely does anyone consider home preparation. If you live in a two story house one great tip for the first few days is to set up downstairs. This will help you from having to much activity. Also, you may find that you have some drainage after the surgery so having dark... more

Tips to a safe and comfortable recovery

Here are some common tips that I discuss with my Mommy Makeover Patients at Gill Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas 1. Read your pre- and postoperative instructions carefully. Also, review the risk section of the consent to ensure a thorough understanding of what to look for. 2. Fill your prescriptions prior to surgery and arrange an area of your home that will be a comfortable place to rest and recover from your procedure. 3. I require at least one... more

5 Keys to recovery after a Mommy Makeover

Abdominoplasty combined with a breast reduction is a large operation. Proper recovery is essential. Here are some keys that I find helpful for my patients: 1) Recover in a true surgical recovery facility for one to two nights after surgery if you can. 2) Fill and pick up all of your medications prior to surgery. 3) Nutrition after surgery is important for healing. Make sure that you have your meals planned out ahead of time so that you do not have to go shopping right after... more

It's a good idea to be prepared for convalescence after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

The surgery you are anticipating will result in long incisions and possibly some drains. Dressings will need to be changed and provisions will need to be made for the discomfort you will be in, particularly because of the abdominoplasty. On my website, I list for my patients all the post-operative instructions which you are welcome to see. However, your sugeon probably doesn't handle his patients exactly as I do so I would check with his nurse about expectations of... more

Tummy tuck and breast reduction recovery

You will likely find that your recovery is dictated entirely by the tummy tuck and not by the breast reduction. That's because the tummy tuck is generally the more painful procedure, with its muscle tightening. You may need some gauze to assist with cleaning around your drain sites and for padding any areas that want to leak a little. Aside from that, there isn't much you should need at home. Your surgeon should get you set up with a good plan--we do a... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Recovery process after a tummy tuck and breast reduction

The combination of a tummy tuck and breast reduction is a great one. We commonly call this a mommy makeover. For the patients that received this combination in our practice, we encourage them to wear their compression garment at all times and to walk as much as possible after the surgery. They will usually need to walk a little hunched over for the first 2 to 3 days after the surgery. As their lower abdominal skin begins to stretch they can relax and stand upright. The walking is... more

Tummy Tuck recovery

Your doctor should be giving you a list of things to have for after surgery and things to avoid as well. Call his office and discuss his protocol because every doctor has a different regimen.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I would not do the two operations at the same time.

Hi! In New York City, we routinely do tummy tuck and breast reduction together, but that is not the safest approach for you. You have difficult anatomy in your abdomen, and you need a complex tummy tuck with a lot of muscle work. Also, the risk of blood clots increases if you are overweight. So I would just do the abdominoplasty, and then do the breast reduction a few months later. In two stages, you should recover fine.

How to prepare for a tummy tuck and breast reduction

Your surgeon should hopefully give you all the advice you need in order to prepare for your post-operative recovery. Talk to them about your concerns and look through the packet of information given to you. In my practice, I typically provide my patients with a preoperative instruction packet that answers all these questions. The most important thing is having some help around the house. It will be difficult for you to do things like cooking dinner, doing laundry, etc. It is wise to have... more

Post-op Pain Control

It is always difficult to estimate how much pain an individual is going to have. There is a great deal of variability from patient to patient. I have found it beneficial to supplement pain medications with Celebrex plus a muscle relaxant. I begin this prior to surgery and continue for several days. In my experience, this decreases the frequency and dosage of post-op narcotics. You may want to discuss this with your surgeon.

Tips for Tummy Tuck recovery

Dear Sha, Your surgeon will give you a list with all of their specific instructions. There are a few "convenience" items that might be forgotten, but I think they really help. They are simple to get beforehand, and are only needed for a few weeks: Elevated toilet seat - this way you don't have to bend down so far to sit on the toilet. If you don't have a built in shower bench, find a supportive chair for use in the shower. Hand held shower adapter - unscrew your wall nozzle and... more

Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction Recovery Time - Tips and expectations:

Mommy Make Over Recovery Time - Tips and expectations: Mommy Makeover Recovery for Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction is simultaneous. Nothing special about the breast reduction surgery other than not using you chest muscles/arms to lift things and wearing your surgical bra and garments and incision care if needed as directed by your plastic surgeon. Following the tummy tuck procedure, you should be in a flexed position to minimize tension on the incision sites by to bending at... more

Recovery from Full Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction

There are some important factors for you to consider and you should have a very thorough discussion with your surgeon about limitations before you undergo surgery so you are better prepared for the aftermath. One thing to consider, however, and this is factored into the recovery, is that of doing multiple major surgeries at one time and the increased risks involded. Yes, there are risks of multiple anesthesias, but there are always more vigorous discussions of combining major surgeries. ... more