Prepare Your Home for Your Tummy Tuck Recovery: A To-Do List

• Clean your house -- or have it cleaned. You are not going to be up to housecleaning for at least a few days after your surgery, and probably longer.

• Unless you have someone who can cook for you, shop for food and treats such as prepared meals, frozen dinners, pudding, Jell-O, and such. You can also cook a few meals ahead of time and freeze portions.

• Take out the trash, recyclables, etc. so you don't have to worry about it when you get home after your tummy tuck surgery.

• Do all your laundry and change the sheets on the bed.

• Make a "Honey Do" list (pay bills, change thermostat settings, errands, feed the pets, whatever) to remind your significant other what needs to be done. 

• Purchase all of your medications, vitamins, and bandages beforehand your abdominoplasty surgery so that you have them ready.

• Place all medications either in a weekly pill "case" or in labeled containers. Mark the containers with day and time you need to take them.

• Have lots of movies, books, magazines, or videogames on hand. If you like electronic games, have a Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo set up near you. You will get bored.

• Have a laptop computer with an internet connection, and computer batteries/AC adaptors on hand

• Have someone watch your dog, cat, pet rock, whatever.

• If you have small children, perhaps ask a friend to move in for a few days to help you care for them. You will not be up to picking up your children (or picking up after them) after a tummy tuck. And if they weigh more than 10 to 15 pounds, you should not pick them up.

• Have a "go-for" -- someone who can "go for" things.

• If you can't have your pets cared for by someone else for a few days, tend to their needs beforehand as much as possible. Clean out the litter box, or better, have someone do it for you. If you clean out the litter box yourself after your tummy tuck surgery, wash your hands very carefully before you do anything else! Have cans of pet food on the counter with the can opener so you don't have to reach for them.

• A comfortable recliner is a good thing. The bed is perfectly fine, just keep your upper body well elevated.

• Have lots of fluffy pillows on hand to help keep your upper body elevated.

• Have a bucket or pail at your bedside and on the ride home in case you get sick. Make sure it has a lid, since you don't want to stare at it or smell it afterwards.

• Have a nightstand by your bed or recliner prepared with all of your medications, ample light, bottled water, a few packages of crackers, remote control (with new batteries!) and the phone.

• Have a night light set up so you don't fall during late night bathroom trips.  Medications can make you disoriented.

• Get some extra blankets, since you may get the chills after surgery

• A heating pad, hot water bottle, or microwaveable hot pack is great for a sore back, which you will get for sure!

• Have some saltine crackers, Cheez-its, or Goldfish. These help with nausea, especially on the way home. Bring a bottle of water to for the ride home.  Sipping cool water helps alleviate nausea and helps get rid of the taste in your mouth if you do throw up.

• Place anything you usually need on a daily basis at hip level or on counters so that you don't have to reach up or bend down. This means canned and dry goods in the kitchen and toiletries in the bathroom.

• Have your comfy robe and slippers nearby. Get slippers with nonslip soles, since you will be a bit unsteady on your feet for a few days.

• Have a few comfortable oversized shirts that open from the front on hand, as well as some loose elastic or drawstring sweat pants or pajama bottoms.

• Have a hand mirror nearby so you don't have to get up to preen, or to check your teeth and nose.

• If you have long hair, a few "scrunchies" are great to keep your hair out of your face and out of the way.

• Have a good moisturizer on hand. This is a must!

• A box of tissues is great to have on hand, especially if you get all emotional from your medications or the anesthesia.

• You may want "black out" shades or drapes your windows so that when you do get to sleep -- regardless of the hours -- you can stay asleep.

• If you think television, video games, or reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes, have a CD or tape player on hand with your favorite relaxing music.

• Have a camera on hand, with film, if it is not digital, especially if you are considering documenting your procedure with tummy tuck before-and-after photos or day-by-day photos.

• Have a flashlight on your nightstand. It could come in handy if there is a power failure.

• If you don't have a laptop, and you have online friends at the Tummy Tuck Forum who are dying to hear from you, have your significant other or friend "post" or email them with your recovery news.  We worry, okay? Give him/her a list of the addresses and URLs

• Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep is so annoying. Don't forget to turn down the sound or turn off the ringer. You need your sleep.

• Last but not least, relax. If you are super stressed out it can really affect your recovery after tummy tuck surgery. Try to remember that each day you will heal a bit more, you will be less sore, and that you are going to look great! Just be patient