How to Reduce Bruising & Swelling after Tummy Tuck

How to Reduce Bruising and Swelling After Abdominoplasty Surgery

Bruising and swelling after abdominoplasty can take some time to subside. Here are a few steps to help minimise swelling and bruising:

1. Rest as Much as Possible

After abdominoplasty, it is crucial to rest adequately. It gives your body the due time to heal and recover. It means avoiding strenuous activities of all sorts such as intense cardiovascular exercises and weight training. You have to take a few weeks off from work. It is crucial to sleep at least eight hours per night. Adequate rest will keep your immune system strong and favour quick healing.

2. Stick to a Healthy Diet

Your immune system needs a little assistance in healing post-surgery. Stick to healthy and nourishing foods to aid your immune response. Include foods that are high in protein as it helps repair your skin tissues. Consuming foods that are high in vitamins C and A will also help your immune response. Include plenty of lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Make sure to get adequate fibre.

Avoid eating foods that cause gastrointestinal distress and discomfort such as foods with high sugar contents, dairy products, beans, and other foods that can cause gas.

You may suffer from post-surgery constipation – consult your surgeon for medication to help.

3. Minimise Your Sodium Intake

Excessive salt causes water retention and can lead to bloating. It can cause extreme discomfort and prolong the healing process. Try to eat home-cooked meals, avoid packaged food items, and limit adding salt to your meals. It will help get rid of water retention and minimise swelling.

4. Drink Lots of Water

We all know how important water is for our overall well-being. Drinking water post-surgery helps flush out excess toxins and prevents your body from retaining excess water. Try to limit caffeinated beverages and aim at drinking at least two to three litres of water per day.

5. Gentle Exercise

Strenuous activities are NOT recommended during the initial phases of recovery, but walking around the house is recommended and helps with the healing process. It will promote blood circulation in your body and help you avoid the formation of blood clots. Simply walk around the house, or use a treadmill on a very low setting. Once the initial few weeks have passed, you can try gentle yoga workouts but make sure to consult with your surgeon first.

6. Use a Compression Garment

A compression garment will help with the swelling around the mid-section. This step alone will limit the amount of accumulated fluid in the stomach area and minimise the swelling. Dr Turner will guide you regarding the timeline for wearing the compression garment. You will be advised to wear it for at least four weeks post-surgery.

7. Take Your Prescribed Medications on Time

After abdominoplasty, Dr Turner will prescribe medications that will help reduce the swelling and discomfort. Make sure to follow all the instructions given by Dr Turner. Do not take any blood-thinning medications as they can worsen the bruising and swelling. It is important to discuss any medications you take.

8. Maintain Your Drainage Tubes (if needed)

You may have drainage tubes after the surgery. The drain tubes prevent fluids from accumulating in your body. Make sure to clear out the drainage tubes as per the instructions given by your medical team after abdominoplasty.

9. Show Up for Follow-Up Appointments

After the surgery, you need to ensure that your body heals properly and potential complications are avoided. It is crucial to attend all your follow-up appointments as it gives Dr Turner the chance to review your overall progress and ensure you are healing at the right pace. Dr Turner will also recommend taking essential steps to minimise swelling and take care of yourself after the surgery.