Pre and Post Tummy Tuck Diet

Understanding what to eat before and after undergoing a tummy tuck is essential in producing the best possible results. In this article, we will discuss the ideal diet plans for tummy tuck patients, as well as how a nutritionist can help you in designing a tailored regime perfect for your ideal body.

Pre Tummy Tuck Diet

The ideal candidate for a patient undergoing a tummy tuck is somebody with a Body Mass Index (BMI) under 30. This is because patients with a BMI over 30 face a higher risk of complications from such excisional surgeries, including wound breakdown, skin necrosis, infections, and clotting. Patients at their ideal weight who seek to tone their body also see the best results from undergoing body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck.

As such, it is important that you reach a suitable BMI for a tummy tuck, and the most effective method to reach this goal is by sticking to a balanced and healthy diet.

Foods to Eat

Before any type of tummy tuck, you should continue to eat the recommended daily amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains. In particular, leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are particularly good as they help to reduce inflammation. Proteins are also beneficial as they help to fortify tissues that may become damaged during plastic surgery. Finally, ensuring you are eating a healthy diet high in fibre will help to prevent any post-operative constipation. 

In general, the most important thing is to ensure you are getting a good variety of foods to fulfil your nutritional needs.

Foods to Avoid

You should avoid any crash diets, such as keto, prior to a tummy tuck surgery. This is to prevent unhealthy, rapid weight loss, which can result in additional surgical complications. We advise you , however, to avoid larger, ‘heavy’ portions of meat and carbohydrates in the days prior to prevent constipation after your plastic surgery. 

If you are going under general anaesthesia for your tummy tuck procedure, your surgeon will advise you on fasting guidelines prior to plastic surgery. In general, you must not eat a meal after midnight on the night before your plastic surgery. You are able to sip fluids such as black tea or coffee without milk or sugar up to four hours before your plastic surgery and water up to three hours before surgery.

Post Tummy Tuck Diet

Although there are no specific dietary restrictions immediately after a tummy tuck, there are a few things you can incorporate into your meals to ensure the smoothest recovery possible. 

Foods to Eat

After your tummy tuck procedure, you may feel like eating smaller meals as you recover in the first few days. First, start with ensuring you are consuming enough water so that you stay hydrated,  which is necessary for regular bodily function. Once you feel comfortable enough to eat foods, start slow with soft fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, yoghurt, cheese, and soup. 

A few days after your tummy tuck, you should feel comfortable enough to return to your normal, balanced diet.

Foods to Avoid

You should avoid processed foods and reduce the amount of carbohydrates you consume after your tummy tuck, as these can increase inflammation and swelling. In addition, you should try to reduce the amount of sugar you consume as this can also worsen swelling, as well as spiking blood sugar, which can lead to weight gain after tummy tuck.

How a Nutritionist Can Help 

A nutritionist can be beneficial if you’re undergoing a tummy tuck for several reasons. First, a nutritionist can help you in both achieving and maintaining a healthy BMI before plastic surgery, reducing the risk of complications. Secondly, a dietician can support you in maintaining a healthy diet and weight post-surgery so that you can have the smoothest recovery possible whilst also maximising the body contouring results of your tummy tuck. 

At the CREO Clinic, we work with nutritionist Racquel Britzke and her team of experts to ensure that you get the most out of their body contouring procedures. Racquel works with clients to personalise a diet plan, examining a patient’s DNA to understand their unique needs. By doing so, you are able to reach a healthy weight to qualify for a tummy tuck and maintain the results of the cosmetic procedure itself. Patients can also take advantage of exclusive deals, which can be discussed with our patient advisor, Ms. Nicole Watt.

Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?

A tummy tuck can help to flatten and tone the abdomen, which many patients find aesthetically pleasing. In addition, this cosmetic procedure can involve repairing muscle separation and, as such, can address related health issues like back pain and poor posture. For these reasons, many patients consider a tummy tuck a worthwhile cosmetic procedure. 

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic

If you are considering body contouring surgery to flatten your stomach, a tummy tuck may be suitable for you. At the CREO Clinic, our cosmetic surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, has a wealth of experience conducting and personalising this specialist procedure.

Book a 1-to-1 consultation with Dr Tillo today to find out how a tummy tuck can be tailored to your body goals and how a dietician can support you in getting the most out of your newly contoured tummy.