Tummy tuck recovery supplies go a long way in promoting a smoother, safer, and faster recovery process. It is important to purchase them early enough to help minimize the last-minute rush. These supplies are meant to make the recovery period comfortable and effortless by making work easier in and around your house. Since tummy tuck is a major surgery that involves complex procedures to perform, some of these supplies have to be recommended by the surgeon to avoid buying the wrong items. This article contains 13 tummy tuck recovery supplies to help you get started.
1. Pain and Infection Medicines
After undergoing tummy tuck surgery, it is normal to feel pain at the operated areas, and at the incision sites. This pain may be severe especially during the first few weeks following surgery. In most cases, the surgeon would prescribe pain medications to help reduce the pain. These may include over-the-counter medicines such as Ibuprofen. Because the chances of getting infections are higher during the first few days after surgery, he would also prescribe some antibiotics to help prevent this. To help you plan earlier to stock these medicines, ask your surgeon for more information about them during your consultation.
2. Antimicrobial Body Wipes
Since you won’t be able to shower at this time, wet wipes and body wipes will be very useful. They are items that you would use to clean yourself, and your wounds to prevent any infections. These wipes have been proven to be medically fit and safe, which makes them a better option than showering which will wet the bandages and the wounds.
3. Stool Softener
A stool softener or laxative medicine is taken to reduce the rate of constipation. Constipation is the condition where one experiences pain and difficulty while passing out feces. After tummy tuck surgery, the likelihood of experiencing constipation is greater since the abdominal region responsible for food digestion and feces production would have been interfered with. To prevent this, stock on laxative medicines to help counter this.
4. Ice Packs
Ice packs provide a cooling and soothing feeling. You will probably experience back pains while sleeping in the back position for a long time. When you sleep on your back, the back muscles become compressed due to the pressure exerted on them. Over time, your back will become painful and sore. Ice packs will help reduce the soreness felt by your back by decompressing the back muscles restoring them to their initial state.
5. Entertainment Items
Entertainment items include magazines, novels, movies, music, and books. As you recover, most of your time would be spent sleeping, or resting in an inclined position. This can be boring and really tiring. Buying entertainment items will guarantee an entertaining recovery period since you would either be watching a movie, reading a novel, or listening to your favorite music genres.
6. Healthy Food
After surgery, you will have to maintain a healthy diet rich in proteins, fruits, and greens. Foods rich in protein will help build the body damaged by surgery, whereas fruits and greens will repair worn-out body tissues. Also, of importance would be to stock plenty of light foods which are easy to cook and are easily digestible.
7. Cotton and Soft Bandages
Cotton and bandages are supplies that will help care for your wounds and incisions. After surgery, your wounds would need to be dressed and the bandages changed as advised by the surgeon. Stocking on soft bandages and cotton would make work easier since you would have a continuous supply.
8. A Digital Thermometer
A digital thermometer is important to help you keep track of your body temperature variations. Very high body temperatures would mean something’s wrong, similar to very low body temperatures. This would require medical attention to correct what’s not in place.
9. Compression Garments
Compression garments are meant to be worn at all times after surgery. They help hold the abdomen in place as they exert the required amount of pressure on it. This pressure helps reduce scarring, bleeding, and swelling that may result from the surgery. Compression garments are made of different sizes, materials, and shapes. The right compression garments are determined by the surgeon. Before you purchase any compression garment, consult with your surgeon for more information regarding the one that will best help you to recover.
10. Recliner
A recliner is considered comfortable and suitable. It is adjustable to fit any position a person would want it to be. It can easily help one get in and out of a sitting and sleeping position without the use of too much effort.
11. Pillows
There are different types of pillows such as body pillows, and wedge pillows. Each comes in different shapes and sizes. They are very soft and spongy to provide the comfort one needs. Pillows will help adjust your sleeping and sitting position. Remember that you are supposed to sleep on your back, which can be very tiring. Pillows will help prop you upwards so that you are comfortable at all times.
12. Recovery Outfits
Recovery is a process that needs willingness, and perseverance. After surgery, the appropriate outfits to put on should be loose-fitting, easy to remove and to put on. They are supposed to be over-size, at least twice your size, and should open from the front.
13. Toilet Seat Riser
Tummy tuck is a painful surgery. A low toilet would force you to bend down, then stand up which uses a lot of effort and causes abdominal pain. Getting a toilet seat riser will save you a lot of effort which reduces the pain felt while helping yourself.
Conclusion
It is always advantageous when you plan early. It helps keep everything in order, and just the way you want it to be. Getting tummy tuck recovery supplies, as explained in this article will help promote a faster, smoother, and safer recovery process.
