Most people would prefer a flatter midsection. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for many people to achieve this goal with exercise and diet alone. Some decide to get a tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty. The procedure removes fat and excess skin while tightening the abdominal muscles.
An abdominoplasty results in a flatter, smoother, and more youthful midsection. After recovery from the procedure, most patients are delighted with the results. Usually, the results are long-lasting, but it helps to make some effort to maintain your improved look.
Are you considering an abdominoplasty and wondering how to keep your flat and youthful tummy for years? If so, consider the following tips.
It is best to avoid any vigorous activities or exercise for the first six weeks after your treatment. However, a regular exercise routine is necessary once you recover fully to keep your midsection in excellent shape.
Switch into workout mode when your cosmetic surgeon gives you the green light. Stretch your entire body and focus on aerobic exercises to maintain your results longer. You will enjoy the most significant benefits this way instead of focusing on your abdomen only. Keep your belly flat by jogging, biking, or walking daily and ensure your active heart rate is approximately 15 percent higher than your resting heart rate.
It is essential to understand that an abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss treatment. Most people get a tummy tuck after weight loss to trim and tone their bellies. That said, a healthy diet is essential to maintaining your results. Cosmetic surgeons recommend a diet mainly consisting of veggies, fresh fruits, salmon, lean proteins, whole grains, lentils, and beans.
It is best to avoid refined sugars, high-sodium foods, and refined grains like white rice and white bread. These offer minimal nutritional value and can increase your weight and stretch your midsection, undoing the results of your procedure.
It would help if you also watched how you eat. Control your portions and avoid eating to the point of feeling too full. That will help prevent stretching of the skin and muscles around your stomach and prevent weight gain.
Every patient is different and experiences different tummy tuck results. Following your procedure, the best thing you can do is follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions. Your surgeon will give you instructions about wearing compression garments, how to heal correctly, how to exercise to maintain your results, and more.
Cosmetic surgeons recommend waiting for an abdominoplasty until you no longer want more children. That is because pregnancy can undo the results of your surgery and cause pouches of fat and loose skin.
Significant weight fluctuations can take a heavy toll on your surgical results. So, it is best to maintain your postoperative weight. However, gaining or losing up to five pounds will not cause a drastic change.
A tummy tuck is a significant investment in your appearance and well-being. So, it would help if you did everything possible to make your results last as long as possible. While it may seem challenging to maintain your tummy tuck results, these simple ideas can help you maintain your new look for years.
For more on tummy tucks, visit Aron Kressel, MD, at our New York, New York office. Call 212-772-6968 to schedule an appointment today.