Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty, Liposuction) Pre & Post Operative Instructions

Pre-Operative Instructions

•Please advise the doctor if you are taking any blood thinning medication (e.g. Warfarin, Disprin, Aspirin, etc.)
•This will need to be discontinued prior to surgery as per doctor's instructions.
•Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk of bleeding complications in all forms of surgery – please ensure your blood pressure is well controlled prior to your surgical date.
DO NOT take any of the following medications prior to surgery:
– Anti-inflammatories (e.g. Brufen, Ibuprofen, Myprodol, Voltaren, etc.).
– Homeopathic medications (e.g. Arnica, Rescue Remedy, St John's Wort).
– Vitamin E (oral or topical).
•Prepare your skin for 3 weeks before surgery with Dermalac Lotion and Vitamin A, C & E Body Oil from Environ.
•Take a bath or shower with antibacterial soap (or Bioscrub) on the morning of your admission.
•Do not apply any body lotion.
•Regardless of whether you are having a general anesthetic or conscious sedation – you should not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to surgery.
•If you are a smoker – NO SMOKING for 3 months prior to surgery.
•Bring comfortable cotton underwear.

•You will overnight at Christiaan Barnard Hospital.
•You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery and help you for 1 – 2 days.
•You will need plenty of rest.
•Decreased activity and pain medication may promote constipation, so you may want to add more fruit and fiber to your diet.
•Be sure to increase your fluid intake.
•Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
•Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
•If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
•Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increase the risk of complications.
•Be aware that there will be some sensation loss around the navel for a few months – do not stand too close to or lean against hot surfaces or use a water bottle on your abdomen until sensation has fully returned.

•Start walking as soon as possible – this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
•Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications.
•No heavy lifting for 6 weeks.
•Resume sexual activity as comfort permits, usually 2 to 3 weeks post-operatively.
•Avoid straining of abdominal muscles. Strenuous exercise and activities are restricted for 6 weeks.
•Return to work within 2 to 4 weeks
•If you have a car with power steering, you can start driving after 2 weeks.

•You may shower only after your post-operative appointment (usually 4 days postoperatively).
•Avoid exposing your scars to the sun for at least 12 months.
•Always use sunblock – regardless of the weather – if you plan to go outdoors or not.
•Apply Micropore to the incision lines for 3 months – change every 7 to 10 days. Do not remove the tape every day as it will cause irritation of the surrounding skin.
•Keep incisions clean and inspect through Micropore daily for signs of infection or oozing.
DO NOT USE ANY CREAMS CONTAINING VITAMIN E TO TREAT THE INCISION AREAS FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS.
•Incision areas may be massaged through the Micropore for the first 3 months.
•ScarScience, available from the therapists, should be applied from 6 weeks postoperatively – over the Micropore for another 6 weeks – and then on the incision directly for another 3 months postoperatively.
•No soaking in the bath while sutures or drains are in place.
•Support garments should be worn 24/7, and only removed for short periods while taking a shower.
•Sleep with a pillow under your knees and your head elevated on two pillows.

•Discomfort will be maximal in the first 3 days, improving each day thereafter.
•You may experience temporary pain, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin or incision discomfort.
•You will have bruising and swelling of the abdomen. The majority of bruising and swelling will subside within 6 to 8 weeks.
•You may tire easily for several weeks.

•A flatter, firmer abdomen with the narrower waistline.
•You will walk slightly bent forward and gradually return to normal posture over a period of 3 weeks.
•Scars will be red for 6 to 9 months. After that, they will fade and soften.
•The scar will be low on the abdomen and extend from one hipbone to the other and around the navel.

•Abdominal drains will be removed when draining is less than 30 ml over 24 hours.
•Most of the sutures are buried and will dissolve in 6 to 8 weeks.
•A support garment must be worn 24/7 for 6 weeks post-operatively.
•ScarScience must be applied on the incision from 6 weeks post-operatively to help with the prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scarring. It should be used for at least 3 to 6 months post-operatively.

•If you have increased swelling or bruising.
•If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
•If you have increased redness along the incision.
•If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
•If you have any side effects to medications, such as rash, nausea, headache and vomiting.
•If you have an oral temperature over 37°C.
•If you have any drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
•If you have bleeding from the incisions that does not stop with light pressure

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