Keep Your Body Looking Great After a Tummy Tuck

Tag Archives: Recovery

Many people ask the question, “How long will the results of my tummy tuck last?” Having the procedure done by a highly skilled cosmetic surgeon is crucial, but the key to results longevity lies largely with the person having the procedure. The long-term success of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) depends largely on maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.
If you don’t have a workable post-tuck maintenance plan, you may unintentionally put the weight back on and slowly undo the work that has been done. It’s important to create an effective post-surgery plan for eating and moving before you have your tummy tuck done. 
  • Do a little research and find the sport, class and/or physical activity you will enjoy most.
  • Do you like to be outside?
  • Do you do best in a class environment, with the motivation and support of those around you?
  • Do you prefer to play on a team?
  • Do you need the guidance and accountability a personal trainer could provide?
  • Do you enjoy the serene solitude of solo exercise?
Pick the plan that works for you and get started! 
Make sure you check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regime, and ensure that you have fully recovered from your procedure before getting active. Once you have the go-ahead, it’s time to get moving–but make it fun! 

Q: How many plastic or cosmetic surgery operations can a person have at one time?

A: A patient is safe if the time spent under general anesthesia is limited to five hours or less. The number of procedures done also depends on what other physical ailments the patient may have. For example, if the patient has diabetes or high blood pressure, it may be necessary to limit the number of areas to be surgically rejuvenated because the medical conditions may delay healing.

Q: What medications, vitamins and supplements should I stop taking before having plastic surgery?

A:  Before undergoing any invasive procedure, patients must stop taking any aspirin or ibuprofen containing products and Vitamin E. If a surgical procedure lasts more than an hour, you must also stop taking birth control pills two to four weeks before your procedure. Smoking can severely interfere with healing and good wound formation. I recommend quitting tobacco use at least two weeks before your procedure and for four weeks afterwards.

Q:  How old does a person need to be to have plastic surgery?

A: Performing plastic surgery on people younger than 18 can be difficult because the person can still grow. For this reason, the patient must be at least 18 for breast augmentations and reductions and any procedure done for reasons of vanity. Ear pinning requires the patient to be at least 10. The patient must be at least 14 for rhinoplasty. You can never be too old for plastic surgery, although surgeons must take into account the safety of anesthesia for those over 65.

— Robert A. Colgrove, Jr., M.D. of Vinings Surgery Center is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has maintained a private practice since 1986. He performs cosmetic surgery of the breast, body and face, specializing in breast augmentation, breast implants, breast lifts, breast reduction and breast revision surgeries.

Spotlight on: Tonya Brannon, RN, BSN

What she does at VSC: My main focus includes pre-op appointments, were I spend at least an hour with patients prior to surgery to discuss what they can expect the day of surgery, after the surgery and everything in between, including lab results, prescriptions, what to wear and address any questions or concerns they may have. I am also in the operating room with the patient during surgery and help patients recover until they are ready to go home.

Joined Vinings Surgery Center in: July 2007

What she loves most about what she does: Our patients have a choice and they chose us. So it is my responsibility to make sure every patient is as comfortable as possible through the entire process and make them feel confident in their decision.

What  she hopes her clients gain from treatment: No matter how small or big the procedure is, whether it is Botox or a tummy tuck, I want patients to enjoy the process of working with us, and most importantly LOVE the outcome so they can walk with their head held a little higher. Everyone is nervous when they come in, and that is OK! But we do this everyday and we are going to take care of you every step of the way. So sit back and enjoy the ride, because it is an exciting experience.

Favorite things to do for fun: I have a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old … I don’t have time for fun! They are my whole world, so I enjoy spending my days with them and quite time with my husband of 11 years. When I do have spare time I enjoy running.

Come meet Tonya in person! For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 770-955-9000 or email vsc@colgrove.com.

If you’re thinking about having breast augmentation, the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, it’s important to carefully consider everything from sizing and proportion to implantBreast Augmentation Success options to recovery and aftercare. Here are a few of the secrets to breast augmentation success:

  • Proper sizing of your implants is a crucial step in achieving a successful outcome. Purchase a bra that you want to fill upon completion of the surgery. Take the bra to the doctor’s office prior to surgery and try different size implants with different types of clothing.
  • Pick out photographs from the Internet or magazines to demonstrate the size you prefer. It will be helpful to pick out one too large, one too small, and one as close as possible to the ideal size.
  • Think about your specific body type. Picking an implant size that is too large for your frame will make them look unnatural, and it may be more likely that they may start to sag prematurely.
  • Take advantage of the amazing technology available that lets you “try on” your new look before surgery. The online 3D Visualizer by Mentor at loveyourlook.com/visualizer/ uses a photo of yourself to create an example of how breast implants may transform your body. Also, the Mentor Volume Sizing System allows you to try on contoured inserts in various volumes and sizes during your consultation.
  • Use the “rice test” at home to experiment with sizing. Fill a zipper bag with rice and place beneath your bra to see how it looks. This also allows you to understand how that extra weight feels on your chest and shoulders.
  • Make sure you understand the qualities and pros and cons of each type of implant. Saline implants are filled with saline, typically at the time of surgery; they tend to feel firmer than silicone implants. Silicone implants are prefilled with silicone gel, which is a thick, sticky fluid that mimics the feel of natural tissue.
  • Your individual muscle stiffness or looseness is important to consider when choosing implant type. In most cases, there is little to no discernible difference between the appearance of breasts augmented with saline versus silicone, but there could be a slightly greater chance of visible rippling or wrinkling with saline implants. The chances of this are reduced when implants are inserted under the pectoral muscle.
  • Immediately after surgery, you may not be able to raise arms above the head, but you probably will be able to do most things unassisted by the second day. Patients can usually return to a desk job five to seven days after the procedure. Two weeks may be required for jobs that require exertion, such as food server or flight attendant.
  • Much of the success of and recovery depends on taking the proper steps for excellent aftercare. Doing the right types of stretches and massage techniques consistently following the procedure is crucial.
  • Wear a good, high-quality sports bra after surgery. It should have plenty of structural support and you should wear it every day during the weeks after surgery.

 

 

 

It’s difficult enough to gather all the information needed to make the right decision for you regarding cosmetic surgery without having to sort through all the confusing misconceptions and myths that are out there! Everything ranging from rumors that an airline flight will cause breast implants to pop to the misguided idea that the sun will melt a nose implant after rhinoplasty. Sometimes the Internet is not our friend when it comes to getting reliable information. Here’s some great information from EmaxHealth.com to help separate the facts from fiction.

Myth: Plastic surgery is a luxury only the wealthy can afford.

Fact: As with any other lifestyle choice, the average person may have to save and budget for it, but it’s within reach. What most patients have in common is not their wealth, but that they want to feel good about their appearance and understand that treatments are available to address their concerns. Payment options are available for patients such as plans, financing, partial prepayment, etc. This helps make plastic surgery much more mainstream, and not only reserved for the super wealthy.

Myth: Plastic surgery is unsafe.

Fact: Since patients having plastic surgery are having a purely elective procedure, reputable plastic surgeons usually will insist that the patient have a full medical clearance to ensure the patient is medically cleared for surgery. Many patients are worried about anesthesia and possible complications, but anesthesia is very safe, even for patients who have significant medical problems. Patients can protect themselves by seeking a plastic surgeon who is ASPS board certified and checking with the state department of health to see if any complaints have been filed.

Myth: All plastic surgeons will provide the same results.

Fact: In addition to certification and track record, it is important to look for someone who specializes in aesthetic/cosmetic procedures. If a surgeon in interested in this area, he/she is more likely to be very up to date on the latest techniques, products, etc. Also, it is important to look for someone who specializes in the part of the body you are interested in improving, because there is no substitute for experience.

The competitive bodybuilders of House of Payne Personal Training are some truly incredible, motivated people! You can get to know four dynamic women who take part in this demanding pursuit and hear about their personal experiences with having breast augmentation with Dr. Colgrove at Vinings Surgery Center in this video.

In this video, these four fabulous ladies discuss their reasons for having surgery, the concerns they had beforehand, how they chose between saline and silicone implants, their recovery process, and their advice on what to expect going into the process. They also share the experiences they had as they returned to their amazing exercise regimens, as well as how they feel about their results.

We would also love to hear about your own experiences! Please share below and on our Facebook page. We would love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the results you’re envisioning after breast augmentation surgery is also the simplest: wear a good, high-quality sports bra.

Much of the success of and recovery from this type of procedure depends on the patient taking the proper steps for excellent after-care. Doing the right types of stretches and massage techniques consistently following the procedure is crucial. So is getting the correct bra with plenty of structural support and wearing it every day during the weeks after surgery. Two of the sports bras Dr. Colgrove prefers for his patients are made by Under Armour and Champion.

The fantastic staff of nurses at Vinings Surgery Center can provide detailed guidance and thorough, individualized after-care. Give them a call at 770-955-9000 with any questions or to set up a personal consultation.

When considering any cosmetic surgery procedure, it’s practical and very wise to give thought to how much recovery time you’ll need. It will be tremendously helpful to know what to expect in the hours, days and weeks after your procedure. You also can help prepare those around you, including the people you work with, by letting them know ahead of time what to expect and helping them plan for it as needed. As far as immediate recovery from anesthesia is concerned, times can vary from patient to patient, but most people recover from anesthesia within just a few hours. You may feel groggy or nauseated at first, but most patients are well recovered, awake and able to read a book by the evening of their procedure. During the first couple of postoperative days, it is likely that you will need a bit of assistance, depending on your procedure.

Here are some guidelines for popular procedures, to give you an idea of what you may need.

  • Liposuction: Patients are typically able to get around unassisted by the second day (earlier if smaller areas are liposuctioned). Most patients are able to go back to work in four to six days after the procedure.
  • Breast Surgery: Although the patient may not be able to raise arms above the head, the patient can usually do most things unassisted by the second day. The patient can usually return to a desk job five to seven days after the procedure. Two weeks may be required for jobs that require exertion, such as food server or flight attendant.
  • Facelift: The patient can get around alone on the second day. It may be ten days to two weeks before the patient feels comfortable being seen in public again.
  • Eyelid Surgery: The patient can get around unassisted on the second day. The patient may want to wear sunglasses and surgical makeup when going out in public after the third day. He or she can go back to work about the sixth postoperative day.
  • Tummy Tuck: It may require up to four days before the patient can get around alone. Patients who have a desk job may return in ten days. More strenuous jobs like a food server or letter carrier may require at least three weeks.

Contact Atlanta Plastic Surgeon Dr. Colgrove to Schedule a Consultation

For more information about treatments and procedures by Board Certified Atlanta Plastic Surgeon, Robert A. Colgrove, Jr., M.D. at Vinings Surgery Center please visit us at www.colgrove.com Vinings Surgery Center is taking patients from Greater Atlanta Georgia, Buckhead, Marietta, Roswell, Dunwoody and surrounding areas. See Our Cosmetic Surgery Price List  

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