How to Prepare for Your Tummy Tuck Surgery

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Dr. Simon Moradian

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3/28/2025

Feeling self-conscious about loose skin, stubborn fat, or a stretched-out stomach can be frustrating — especially when your efforts with diet and exercise don't make a difference. For patients hoping to restore a firmer and more contoured midsection, tummy tuck surgery is a popular option. At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, plastic surgeon Dr. Simon Moradian is proud to offer customized abdominoplasty in Chicago, IL.

While tummy tuck preparation doesn't have to be extensive, there are a few important things you can do to set yourself up for success — like having a plan for household help and getting your health on track. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for tummy tuck surgery and get set for a more comfortable experience and smoother recovery.

Am I a candidate for tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck may be right for you if you're dealing with physical changes that often follow major life events, like pregnancy or weight loss. Some of the most popular reasons to get a tummy tuck include:

  • Loose abdominal skin
  • Stubborn fat
  • Weakened or separated muscles
  • Changes related to aging or genetics

Patients considering tummy tuck surgery should be near their ideal weight, in overall good health, and committed to maintaining a stable lifestyle going forward. If you're unsure whether you qualify, Dr. Moradian can help you explore your options during a private consultation.

What to do before a tummy tuck

Preparing for tummy tuck surgery doesn't have to be overwhelming, but simple steps and healthy habits can help set you up for a better overall experience, from surgery through to recovery and beyond. Some helpful tips for tummy tuck preparation include:

  • Stay at a steady weight
  • Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and vaping
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet
  • Get your home ready for recovery
  • Secure help with daily tasks, including childcare and driving
  • Follow your personalized preoperative plan

These easy steps can help reduce your risk of tummy tuck complications and set the stage for a smoother recovery.

What should I eat before tummy tuck surgery?

Giving your body the fuel it needs to heal can make a noticeable difference in your recovery. In the weeks leading up to tummy tuck surgery, aim to include the following in your diet (if possible, based on your nutritional needs and dietary restrictions or guidelines from your doctor):

  • Lean protein
  • Healthy fats
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Plenty of water and herbal teas

Additionally, patients are encouraged to avoid processed foods, salty snacks, and sugary items, which can increase bloating, inflammation, and swelling after tummy tuck surgery.

How long is recovery after tummy tuck surgery?

Tummy tuck healing timelines can vary based on the extent of your surgery and your body's natural healing response, but most patients can expect their tummy tuck recovery to follow a timeline similar to this:

  • 1 – 2 weeks off work
  • 4 – 6 weeks before exercise
  • Several months for residual swelling to resolve

Sticking closely to Dr. Moradian's postoperative tummy tuck instructions and attending follow-up visits will help ensure the best possible outcome and a safe, smooth recovery so you can enjoy your slim, sexy new figure sooner — and for longer.

Preparation is the key to success with tummy tuck surgery in Chicago, IL

Taking the time to prepare for your tummy tuck can help minimize stress, support healing, and leave you feeling more confident throughout the process. At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, plastic surgeon Dr. Simon Moradian is proud to offer patient-focused tummy tuck surgery in Chicago, IL, with pre and postoperative guidance each step of the way. Call our friendly team today to schedule your private consultation and take the first step toward achieving the firmer, flatter contours you've been dreaming of.

I had chin lipo done by Dr. Simon and had the BEST experience. I’ve wanted to do this my whole life and finally made the choice because of how comfortable I felt going into the process. During the surgery it was painless and we were actually cracking jokes and laughing the whole time with Monica who is also WONDERFUL. Don’t get me wrong it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world but there was no pain at any point. My recovery has gone super well and In just 3-4 days you can live your life totally normal. I already have friends who have seen my results that are going to Dr. Simon now.

C.G. Google

I completely recommend this location & Dr. Simon Moradian. The entire staff was extremely welcoming, friendly, and informative. Dr Simon listened to all my questions & concerns, he gave his recommendation while still listening to what I wanted done. I am very pleased with my surgery, and the results are better than I thought they would be! 100% recommend and will be coming back if I ever want anything more.

I.B. Google

I've lived in Chicago for 20 years, and have visited a handful of different med spas and have been under the care of a couple of other plastice surgeons in the Chciago Metro area. However, no experience was as wonderful as mine with Dr. Simon at Northwestern. I've lost and gained quite a bit of weight over the last 15 years or so and decided to have chin lipo, and couldn't be happier. I feel and look amazing, and will not go back to another Doctor now. His PA MoniKa is equally as lovely, and caring as Dr. Moradian himself. I would recommend Dr. Moradian, his staff, and his practice to everyone I know!

M.D. Google

Five stars is not enough. I came to Dr. Moradian for an upper bleph - my results were phenomenal. I didn't want to look surprised or crazy; I wanted to look like I got a good night's sleep. And that is exactly what he delivered. He and NSPS also went the extra mile to make sure I was comfortable. Dr. Moradian is truly a talented surgeon and I was lucky to find him.

E.A. Google

I visited Dr Fine and his team after a failed breast reconstruction after being treated for cancer with mastectomy, chemo and radiation. From the first visit, there were noticeable differences between my prior surgeon and him. He and his team are empathetic and make their patients feel at ease and cared for. At each visit, he and his team have spent a lot of time with me. The visits never feel rushed. At my first visit, he looked at my infected reconstructed breast with an exposed implant and calmly explained what was necessary to fix it. He then explained the procedure he thought would be helpful and showed me before and after pictures of patients who had undergone the suggested surgery. The end result was gorgeous, by the way, in all of these pictures---even in post radiation patients. In this visit alone, he spent more time with me than my prior surgeon had spent with me over multiple visits. He answered all my very detailed questions. In my first visit with my prior surgeon, before my mastectomy, my husband and I were left alone in an exam room for about an hour with a saline-filled implant and silicone-filled implant on the counter to look at. The surgeon I went to before spent about 20 minutes with me in that visit and did not go into detail. The choices presented to me were implant reconstruction with saline- or silicone-filled implants or an abdominal flap procedure that takes 2-4 months to recover from. I am very career-oriented and don't have 2 months to take off of work. Dr Fine, on the other hand, gave me the option of a latissimus dorsi flap with a significantly shorter recovery time, lower complication rate, and better aesthetic result. He gives you his honest opinion based on 30 years of experience. He tells you the hard truths: such as that 50% of implant reconstructions fail after radiation therapy. I wish I would have known that before I started on this journey because I would have made very different choices. The icing on the cake was when he took out the infected implant in his office, which makes a woman feel really terrible and ugly and scared, and his very kind PA told me I have beautiful eyes. Wow. What a caring team.

V.H. Google

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