Many people who receive a tummy tuck in Chicago are hyper-focused on the end result – a smoother looking stomach that reflects how you feel inside. This procedure can restore confidence, and help you regain your health. However, being so focused on the end result can leave some patients entirely unprepared for what is really involved in getting a tummy tuck. It’s important to keep the following factors in mind when thinking about how to prepare for a tummy tuck in Chicago.
Learn To Be Patient
Many people who receive a tummy tuck in Chicago can be impatient with the healing process, which can lead to injury and even infection. Understand that it can sometimes take months to properly heal, and during this time you will not be capable of the same level of physical activity you were before. Learning to be patient with your body and its limits before the procedure will help you to follow the same lessons afterwards, which will in turn help make your recovery process that much easier. It’s a good idea to surround yourself with a support system, comprised of friends and loved ones who can be patient with you following the tummy tuck. Chicago is a big place, and chances are you will need help to do even the most mundane of tasks, like getting groceries or running errands. Having a great support system while you are in a fragile condition will greatly help you.
Stay In Touch With Your Surgeon and Follow Advice
Make sure you have the contact information for your plastic surgeon in a handy place, so you can contact the clinic with any questions you may have following the procedure. This is an excellent thing to take care of ahead of time, as you will be sore and tender following the operation, and may not be in the best physical condition to be searching for contact information.
Also be sure to follow all directions and medical advice your surgeon provides ahead of the operation. This will include having blood work done, avoiding certain medications, and quitting smoking. These are very important things to keep in mind, and ignoring your surgeon’s guidance on these matters will only serve to make recovery that much more difficult.
Be Prepared To Be Emotional
Many patients experience slight mood swings following the procedure. These can range anywhere from regret to elation, and they must be monitored and kept in check. You will need to get out of bed at least a few times a day to ensure proper blood circulation, and extreme regret can lead to depression, which in turn makes getting out of bed seem impossible. In contrast, elation can often cause over-activity, which will put a strain on your healing wound. Being prepared for these possibilities will likely reduce their negative impact on your recovery.
For more information about how to prepare for a tummy tuck in Chicago, contact us.