Swelling of the tissues after a tummy tuck surgery is normal.
This is due to interruption of the lymphatic channels caused by the long incision which runs across the lower abdomen.
Tummy tuck swelling can go on for weeks after surgery during the healing process. This can be scary sometimes.
However, there are things you can do during post operation care to control swelling.
1. Wear Compression Garments.
A compression garment is a tight-fitting elastic garment that can be used to reduce swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in tissue after surgery.
Most patients experience fluid collection after a tummy tuck surgery.
Wearing compression garments after tummy tuck surgery will help minimize the swelling and fluid buildup around the abdomen.
In addition, compression garments also promote good blood flow to the surgery area, reduce healing and recovery time.
For best results, compression garments should be wear throughout the day for 10 hours for about six weeks after surgery.
2. Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication.
Anti-inflammatory drugs effectively reduce swelling. Our bodies protect themselves through inflammation after surgery or any injury.
This is through signs such us;
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Warmth
What anti-inflammatory drugs do, is stop some chemicals in the body that are responsible for inflammation.
Some of the common anti-inflammatory drugs used include; Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium
Ask your surgeon which are the best anti-inflammatory drugs for your case. Your surgeon will take into account the effectiveness and the risks of drugs before he prescribe them for you.
3. Eat Healthy Foods.
Just like drugs, there are foods that are cable of fighting inflammation.
According to Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Some components in food or beverages have anti-inflammatory effects.
Eating the right foods will help reduce swelling after tummy tuck surgery.
Eating unhealthy foods may accelerate inflammation making your swelling difficult to go away.
4. Do exercises to Reduce Tummy Tuck Swelling.
Apart from using compression garments, taking anti-inflammatory drugs and eating healthy foods, exercise is a great way to reduce inflammation.
A study conducted by NCBI involving 4000 participants middle aged over a period of 10 years concluded that regular physical activity is associated with lower markers of inflammation.
Do exercises that are less vigorous like walking, Yoga, stretching this will help you incredibly to lower inflammation reducing swelling.
5. Follow Up all appointments
Keeping in touch with your surgeon is a very important factor when it comes to reducing your tummy tuck swelling.
It is extremely important that you follow all the instructions given by your surgeon.
Appointment followup helps your surgeon to check your healing progress, infection, inflammation to ensure you are healing properly.
Ensure you follow all the instructions, medication and appointments given by your surgeon for proper healing.
By following the the above instructions you will be able to Reduce Tummy Tuck Swelling after Surgery. And also reduce the time you will take to recover.
