A tummy tuck is a highly popular plastic surgery procedure that can substantially alter the abdominal area of a patient for the better. Like most serious medical procedures, however, it’s important to take as much care in the period following your procedure as it is going into it. Below we look at the importance of avoiding sun exposure after a tummy tuck.
The Importance of Avoiding Sun Exposure After Tummy Tuck
One thing that can jeopardize the results of your tummy tuck is exposing it to undue amounts of sunlight. This is especially true in the period immediately following your operation, regardless of where you choose to get plastic surgery in Houston.
If you have recently received a tummy tuck treatment, or are just considering receiving the treatment, then read over this guide on why you should avoid exposing yourself to too much sun.
What Occurs During A Tummy Tuck?
During a tummy tuck, a plastic surgeon manipulates the skin, fat, and muscles surrounding the abdominal area in order to create a slimmer figure for the patient.
Tummy tucks are a highly efficient way to adjust a patient’s body weight. They can be performed for simply aesthetic reasons or for more serious medical concerns depending on the situation.
One significant source of clients for tummy tucks are women who are going through post-pregnancy and would like to shed some of the extra weight that comes paired with that.
For this reason, a tummy tuck is one of the surgeries that comes packaged in a mommy makeover.
Potential Effects of Too Much Sun
Exposing your results to too much sunlight can have potentially disastrous results. Some of these include the following:
- Scarring: healing skin and tissue is especially sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. When sensitive post-surgical skin is exposed to undue amounts of sun, there is a potential for sunburn to occur. When this occurs, scars can be left in their wake.
- Burning: Following the same logic of the aforementioned issue, the sensitive post-surgical skin can be especially sensitive to burning and sunburn. Avoiding the sun prevents this issue from taking shape.
- Swelling & Inflammation: Swelling and inflammation are part and parcel of most major plastic surgery operations. That being said, exposing your results to excess sunlight can exacerbate these problems significantly.
All of these problems can be avoided by keeping your excess sunlight exposure to a minimum.
Taking Steps To Protect Your Skin
The period of time when you’ll want to limit your sun exposure can be quite extensive. Many factors depend on your personal health profile and surgical situation.
In some situations, your doctor will advise you to avoid excessive sunlight in your surgical zones for up to a year after your initial procedure. Although this might seem excessive, following these instructions will be essential to successfully maintaining your results in the long run.
That being said, there are a few foolproof ways for you to protect your sensitive skin against the damaging effect of the sun.
Some of these steps include:
- High SPF Sunscreen: covering your surgical area with high SPF sunscreen is essential to maintaining the health of this area if you expect that it’s going to be exposed to high amounts of sunlight.
- Covering Your Sensitive Areas: Covering the parts of your body that have been affected by surgery is additionally important for maintaining the health of your post-surgical skin.
- Protect Your Incision Site: The exact incision sites of your procedure are going to be the ones that are the most sensitive to sunlight. Protecting these areas above all else is considered the most beneficial practice.
Your Personal Consultation
During your pre-surgical consultation with your physician, you’ll be able to make a detailed plan for your post-surgical period to ensure that it goes as safely and smoothly as possible.
Especially living in a sunny place like Houston, taking the extra steps with this kind of care is doubly important in the before and after.
You’ll also discuss many other things that are relevant to your personal medical situation. Things such as your medical history and any dietary supplements will also be discussed.
All in all, this is a good opportunity for you to prepare yourself to have a successful operation and make the most out of your procedure.
Your Source For Tummy Tuck In Houston
Dr. Cain Linville and the rest of his staff are completely dedicated to delivering a quality tummy tuck in Houston. If you’re considering receiving this type of treatment and would like to know how to best prepare yourself for a quality tummy tuck in Houston.
