Recovering From A Tummy Tuck: 3 Tips For Patients With Young Children

While children are a blessing, pregnancy is horrible to a woman's body. After giving birth, many mothers have a hard time getting back into shape. Most don't have the time as they handle and juggle the responsibilities of motherhood. Getting your flat stomach back is not impossible. In fact, more and more mothers are turning towards getting a tummy tuck. While it can take up to 6 months for a full recovery, being able to relax and to not move around too much is essential in the first 2 to 3 weeks. However, as most mothers know, this can be rather difficult if you have children. If you are considering the option of getting a tummy tuck, these 3 tips can help aid in your recovery.

Prepare Meals, Snacks and Activities Ahead of Time

Until week 3 of your recovery, you should not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. If you have a spouse, family member or caregiver to help you out around the house, your job will be a lot easier. However, if you're going to be spending time alone with your children, you'll want to be prepared.

Before your tummy tuck, prepare meals, snacks and activities for your children. Choose meals or snacks that can be easily cooked or require no cooking, and make sure to place these meals and snacks in areas that can be easily accessible by your children. For example, you might want to store bananas at the bottom rack of the refrigerator shelf. Buy as many ingredients ahead of time as possible. You can make a lot of ingredients last by storing them in the freezer. You also might want to purchase art supplies and books that can be stored in an easily accessible bin in your children's bedroom. This way, you'll be able to avoid lifting and moving much during the recovery time.

Stock Up on Antibacterial Soap, Body Wash and Hand Sanitizers

Children are dirty – especially since most of the them will spend a lot of time playing outdoors. On top of that, most children aren't exactly diligent when it comes to washing their hands. The incision from your tummy tuck will still be recovering during the first few weeks and will be most vulnerable to infections. Although you might love having your children around, they might give you germs and bacteria that can easily make their way to the incision.

While there may not be much that you can do in ensuring that your children is free of germs, you can proactively sanitize yourself. Keep antibacterial soap, body wash and hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60% and 95% around you at all times. After handling or playing with your children, rub your hands thoroughly with a hand sanitizer. 

Schedule the Surgery for When Your Children Are In School

Not all mothers put a lot of thought into when they should schedule their tummy tuck. If you haven't scheduled the tummy tuck surgery yet, highly consider scheduling it at a time when your children will be in school. If possible, sign up for afterschool daycare services for the several weeks after the tummy tuck procedure when you will be recovering. Make arrangements for your spouse, a friend or family member to pick up and drop off your children.

With your children in school, you'll have a lot more time to relax. While a tummy tuck is considered to be a minor surgery, expect it to still take a toll on your body. Allowing yourself to relax will actually help speed up your recovery by allowing your tissues to heal more quickly and by keeping your immune system strong. Not having your children running around at home all the time can do you more good than bad.

Conclusion

While motherhood may have been hard on your body, you can get that flat stomach back with the help of a tummy tuck. Although a tummy tuck is a relatively minor surgery, you'll still need time to recover – especially during the first few weeks. If you have children, you should definitely make preparations ahead of time to ensure that you'll experience a quick recovery. 

For more information and tips, speak with the doctors at a clinic like Renaissance Center For Facial & Body Sculpting.