Eating after Tummy Tuck Can Hasten Recovery

In the past, surgeons have thought that eating right after an abdominoplasty surgery causes complications with the healing process. They chose to wait until the patient demonstrated some form of bowel control before they encouraged him or her to eat. However, recent studies show that not only is eating right after surgery harmless, but it can also be beneficial to the healing process.

One of the unpleasant side effects of a tummy tuck procedure is known as PONV, post-operative nausea and vomiting. It was thought that eating too early after an operation could worsen this symptom. However, several individuals were studied. Some were allowed to eat and others were not. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of PONV between both groups.

In fact, those patients who were allowed to eat after the surgery actually healed slightly faster. Experts speculate that this was caused by the fact that they were able to regain their strength at a much faster rate, thanks to the nutritional value of the food.

For more information about recovery after an abdominoplasty, talk to your plastic surgeon today!