How to Lose Weight After a Tummy Tuck (10 Tips For Success)
March 1, 2023
If you have recently undergone a tummy tuck procedure to remove excess skin and fat from your abdominal area, congratulations on taking a significant step towards achieving your body goals!
However, it is important to keep in mind that while tummy tuck surgery can provide excellent cosmetic results, it is not a strict weight loss procedure.
In order to lose weight after a tummy tuck, you must adhere to a proper nutrition plan and maintain a healthy calorie deficit to lose weight. A tummy tuck is not a miracle weight loss cure.
If you are not careful with your diet, you may still gain weight after a tummy tuck, and the abdominal area may again become loose due to excess skin.
We will discuss the basics of tummy tuck surgery and how to lose weight after the procedure, so that you can maintain your new figure and enjoy the best results for the long term.
Read on to learn the best tips on how to lose and maintain weight loss after tummy tuck surgery.
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area.
During the procedure, the surgeon tightens the abdominal muscles and removes any loose skin that may be present.
This means that if you had any annoying loose skin impacting your daily life or stretch marks that you felt insecure about, this skin will likely be removed by the surgeon.
A tummy tuck is an excellent option for people who have lost a significant amount of weight, or for women who have given birth and are left with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area.
However, it is important to keep in mind that tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, and it cannot prevent weight gain in the future. It is cosmetic surgery.
You will need to put in the effort to continue to lose weight safely after a tummy tuck. You will also need to put in effort to maintain weight you have lost as well.
Tips to Lose Weight After a Tummy Tuck
If you want to maintain your new figure after a tummy tuck or you have some weight to lose, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Here are the best tips on how to lose weight after a tummy tuck:
1. Understand the Importance of Caloric Deficit
To lose weight, it is important to create a caloric deficit, which means burning more calories than you consume. This is the only way to lose excess fat, even after undergoing a tummy tuck procedure.
The good news is that you can still achieve significant weight loss after a tummy tuck, as long as you maintain a healthy diet and you are calorie conscious.
If you are not familiar with a calorie deficit, you can easily learn about how it can help you, and how you can easily calculate your own by reading the article below.
Yes, a calorie deficit is important, but what is also important is the quality of the foods you are eating while in a calorie deficit.
Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a stable weight after a tummy tuck. This means consuming a balanced diet of whole foods, including lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber.
It is also important to avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol, as they can lead to weight gain and slow down your weight loss journey.
This is because foods and snacks high in sugar are usually jam packed with calories, which will make it extremely hard for you to be calorie conscious and maintain a calorie deficit if you are trying to lose weight.
3. Create a Regular Exercise Routine
In addition to a healthy diet, regular exercise is also essential for maintaining a healthy weight after a tummy tuck.
This includes a combination of cardio and strength training exercises, which can help you burn calories and tone your abdominal muscles too.
However, it is important to consult with your cosmetic surgeon before starting an exercise routine to avoid any complications during the healing process.
If you are not someone who enjoys exercise, just simply walk!
Walking is one of the best things we can do for both our mind and our body.
Not only will you boost your mood when walking, you will burn calories too.
4. Wear a Compression Garment
Wearing a compression garment after a tummy tuck can help address excess skin and promote healing.
This garment helps to reduce swelling and support your abdominal region during the healing process.
If you feel more comfortable on a daily basis, you are likely to have more success.
However, it is important to wear it for the recommended amount of time and avoid wearing it for too long, as it can cause discomfort and restrict blood flow.
If you are unsure if you should wear a compression garment, it is best to speak with your surgeon first.
5. Maintain a Patient and Positive Attitude
Losing a significant amount of weight after a tummy tuck requires hard work, dedication, and patience.
It is important to set realistic weight loss goals and track your progress along the way and to always be patient with yourself.
Losing weight is not a race. Realize that it will take time to achieve the results you are after.
Slow and steady wins the race. Give yourself time and realize that you can do this, and you will do this!
6. Consult with Your Cosmetic Surgeon
Consulting with your cosmetic surgeon is crucial for achieving the best results after a tummy tuck.
They can provide guidance on what you should and should not be doing after surgery, as well as timeframes on when you can begin an exercise regime, if this is something you wish to start.
They can also advise you on the best lifestyle changes to make to ensure the best results of your tummy tuck and to make sure you get the best results.
As someone who works in healthcare, I know how important healthcare professionals are.
Do not ever be afraid to confide in them.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help flush toxins out of your body and keep you feeling full.
Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and avoid excess sugary or caffeinated drinks as these will likely contain an unwanted amount of extra calories.
Drinking water will definitely help you feel more full because it fills your stomach with volume, giving a signal to the brain that you are full.
8. Stay Committed to an Active Lifestyle
Maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for long-term weight loss after a tummy tuck.
This includes regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying committed to lifestyle changes.
Staying committed to an active lifestyle can also help prevent future weight gain.
This does not mean you have to run a marathon. Just try to be more active in your every day life.
Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs.
Instead of parking right in front of the grocery store, park a little bit farther away.
This may not seem like much, but these are small tasks that you can easily do to help you become more active every single day.
9. Be Realistic About Your Weight Loss Goals
It is important to set realistic weight loss goals based on your current weight, target weight, and calorie intake.
Remember, the average amount of weight to safely lose is 1-2 pounds a week based on a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day.
This means that the average person will only likely lose 4-8 pounds per month, and this is great progress!
You must set realistic goals. It is not healthy to lose extreme amounts of weight in a short amount of time.
It is also important to consider your ideal weight. You want to make sure you are aiming for a goal that is healthy.
Discuss your weight loss goals with your cosmetic surgeon to determine the best course of action for you.
10. Stay Motivated and Committed to Your Weight Loss Journey
Staying motivated can be hard, especially if you have a rocky start and don’t see progress right away.
It is important to find motivation. You can do this by following motivating pages or influencers on social media, going on daily walks with friends, or even joining health and weight loss groups online.
Surround yourself with a support system of family and friends who can encourage and motivate you throughout your weight loss journey.
Last Words
A tummy tuck surgery can be a life changing cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, giving patients a more toned and contoured midsection.
However, it’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery and doesn’t guarantee significant weight loss.
To achieve the best results after a tummy tuck surgery, patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise routine, to promote long-term weight loss and prevent future weight gain.
It’s also essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, including wearing a compression garment and avoiding strenuous activities until fully healed.
Remember, losing weight after a tummy tuck surgery takes time and patience, but with dedication and hard work, you can achieve your weight loss goals and enjoy the full results of your procedure.
If you’re considering a tummy tuck surgery, talk to a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate and to discuss the best type of abdominoplasty for your individual needs.
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