If you’re thinking of having an abdominoplasty, it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with the process – from preparing for your surgery to navigating through your recovery. When it comes to preparation, some key steps include doing your research, taking good care of your health, and following your personalised instructions.
When you have your consultation with Dr Hunt, you’ll receive your personalised preparation instructions – tailored to your individual health needs, and the details of your surgery. For now, read on to learn about the basics of abdominoplasty preparation, so that you can know what to expect before your consultation.
Choose a highly experienced surgeon
When you are choosing a surgeon for any procedure, you should always do some research to learn about their qualifications and experience. Your surgeon should be a qualified Plastic Surgeon and have sufficient experience performing the procedure you are interested in.
Dr Hunt is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He has treated thousands of patients and performed a wide variety of surgeries, including abdominoplasty. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. You can learn more about Dr Hunt here.
Get personalised preparation instructions
Once you have decided to undergo an abdominoplasty with Dr Hunt, you will have a consultation to determine if you are a suitable candidate, discuss the details of your surgery, and receive personalised instructions – including your preparation instructions!
Your abdominoplasty will be a personalised, highly tailored procedure. The steps of your procedure (such as where incisions will be placed, the amount of tissue that will be removed and if the underlying muscles will be attended to), need to suit the condition of your abdomen, match your preferences for your results, and consider any other personal needs (such as health requirements).
Basically, because your procedure will be highly personalised, your preparation steps will need to be suitable for the particular details of your surgery. Your preparation instructions will also be largely based on your current health, health history, and lifestyle factors.
For example, before abdominoplasty, some patients may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements. Candidates may also need to quit smoking, undergo particular pre-op tests, and more.
Make any required adjustments to medications or lifestyle habits
After you have had your consultation, you will know if you need to stop taking any medications or supplements, undergo any tests, or make any other adjustments.
As Dr Hunt will explain, it’s important to follow these instructions, as some medications and supplements can thin the blood and raise the risk of excessive bleeding. If you can’t stop taking your medications, you may be able to switch to an alternative – it will depend on your individual situation.
Smoking can also hinder the body’s healing process, increasing the chance of encountering complications. If you’re instructed to quit smoking, you’ll be told how soon to quit before your surgery. You will likely need to continue to avoid smoking after your surgery, while your body recovers.
Take care of your general health
In the weeks before your surgery, you should focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your health.
Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help prepare your body for surgery and help set yourself up well for recovery. Staying hydrated is also important. Regular exercise can improve your overall health and fitness, but before surgery, you should avoid strenuous activities or any new exercise routines that might cause injury.
If you notice any changes in your health before your surgery, you’ll need to let Dr Hunt know. It’s important to ensure that you’re in good health and at a sufficient level for surgery.
Make arrangements for your recovery
As well as preparing for your abdominoplasty, preparing for your recovery after the procedure will help to make the process a little easier.
One of the most important aspects of preparing for your recovery is arranging for someone to help! You’ll need someone to drive you home after the surgery, and possibly stay with you at home for at least the first 24 hours.
It’s also a good idea to prepare your home for your recovery. You could arrange a comfortable space where you can rest and recuperate, with easy access to any items you will need. Make sure you have plenty of pillows to support your body and elevate your legs.
So that you can continue caring for your general health during recovery, you could stock up on easy-to-prepare meals, or consider cooking and freezing meals ahead of time. This way, you won’t have to worry about cooking while you’re recovering.
While providing you with preparation instructions, your consultation will also cover recovery instructions, so you can decide what you would like to organise ahead of time.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt: Abdominoplasty Procedures in Sydney
For quality results, an abdominoplasty will always need to be performed by a highly experienced and qualified plastic surgeon.
As well as training at well-respected universities in Sydney (Australia) and Texas (United States), Dr Hunt has gained over 20 years of experience performing a variety of procedures.
He is a member of and spokesperson for the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). With international experience, he is also a member of the International Society of Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and a corresponding member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
With a deep knowledge of plastic surgery, Dr Hunt is a Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training at the IMG Royal Australasian College Surgeons. He also works as a Consultant Surgeon at Sydney Children’s Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital.
When you see Dr Hunt for an abdominoplasty consultation, he will aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the results you want to achieve. Together, you can discuss the details of your surgery plan, and what steps you should take to prepare for your procedure.
If you’re ready to organise your consultation, please contact our team!
