What to Eat After a Tummy Tuck
Many patients expect their tummy tuck recovery to be filled with lots of rest; however, not as many are aware that choosing the right foods to eat during this time can significantly help their bodies heal. This blog discusses nutrition’s role during surgical recovery, what foods can promote healing, and which foods to avoid during tummy tuck recovery.
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Recovering From Tummy Tuck Surgery
It can be exciting to anticipate the smooth and flat abdominal contours that may come with your tummy tuck results, especially if you’ve wanted this procedure for a long time. Yet, before you can show off your results wearing a two-piece bathing suit at the beach, you’ll need to allow ample healing time.
The recovery period following tummy tuck surgery is one of the most essential parts of the surgical process and determines the outcome of your results. Something that can greatly aid in the body’s natural healing process after surgery is eating a diet composed of nutrient-rich foods. After tummy tuck surgery, patients can expect to experience swelling, discomfort, and restrictions on many physical activities. Eating healthy foods during tummy tuck recovery can help patients recover quicker, safer, and more comfortably, allowing them to enjoy their results as soon as possible.
Eating a Healthy, Nutritious, & Balanced Diet After Surgery
If you’ve been researching recovery tips or have already had a tummy tuck consultation with a surgeon, you may already know that eating nutritious foods after surgery is highly recommended. But why is eating a healthy diet important after tummy tuck surgery? To put it simply, certain foods will help aid the body’s natural healing process and allow for a smoother and quicker recovery.
Eating whole foods with low sodium can keep inflammation down and help you maintain stable blood sugars. Choosing foods that are high in protein will help the body’s muscles and tissues heal while also protecting the body from potential infections. Foods that contain vitamins A and C are essential for wound healing and helping the immune system prevent infection.
While many patients can resume eating whatever foods they would like after their recovery period has ended, it is still recommended to eat a balanced diet. Maintaining a diet of healthy and nutritious foods after tummy tuck recovery will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your tummy tuck results looking their very best.
How Soon Can I Eat After a Tummy Tuck?
Most patients have no specific restrictions on when to eat following their surgery. However, patients are typically instructed to keep their diet light the day they go home from their procedure and for the first few days of recovery. This is because during these first few days, your body will still be adjusting to the surgical changes, and starting out eating heavier foods right away may upset the stomach. During these first few days after surgery, it’s recommended for patients to stick with drinking water and eating broths and soups.
Generally, once the patient feels ready to resume eating regular foods, they may begin to do so. It is usually recommended to start with softer foods, as they require less effort to chew and break down, allowing your body to focus on healing.
What to Eat After a Tummy Tuck to Promote Healing
Everyone’s body will respond to surgery in their own unique way, so it’s important to listen to your body when incorporating more foods into your diet during tummy tuck recovery. It is also crucial to listen to your surgeon’s aftercare guidelines and ask them for recommendations on which foods will best support your recovery.
The list below contains foods that are nutritious and will help support your body’s healing process, giving you a guideline of what foods to stock up on:
- Whole foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, lean meats (chicken, turkey, etc.)
- High protein: beans, legumes, eggs, fish, lean meats, tofu, nuts, yogurt
- Vitamin A & vitamin C: leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, mango, guava, strawberries, citrus fruit, beef, chicken, fish, cheese, eggs
- Hydration: patients should drink water as their primary fluid and drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated
What Not to Eat After Tummy Tuck Surgery
It is essential to know that certain foods can also hinder the recovery process and should be avoided at least until recovery is over.
Some foods that should be avoided during tummy tuck recovery include:
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- High sodium foods
- Sugary foods
- Spicy foods
- Junk foods
Make sure to discuss your diet with your surgeon before surgery and ask for specific recommendations on which foods to eat and which ones to avoid during recovery.
Does a Tummy Tuck Make You Eat Less?
Some patients may experience a loss of appetite during their tummy tuck recovery due to the soreness and discomfort they experience after their abdominal muscles are tightened. However, this loss of appetite is only temporary and is not intended to be a permanent part of tummy tuck surgery. This loss of appetite may last around three to six weeks, but the patient’s regular appetite will eventually return.
Want to Know More About Tummy Tuck Surgery in Ladera Ranch, CA?
Scheduling a consultation with a board-certified surgeon is one of the first steps to getting your desired abdominal contours. During a tummy tuck consultation, you’ll review your medical history with your surgeon and discuss your body goals. Your candidacy for the procedure will be evaluated, and if you are determined to be a good candidate, a customized treatment plan will be created.
Dr. Allen Doezie is a board-certified surgeon performing tummy tucks in Ladera Ranch, CA. He enjoys helping patients improve the appearance of their bodies and restore their confidence in themselves.
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery and your options in Ladera Ranch, call (949) 481-9850 or complete our online contact form.