-Keep your ACE wraps in place. If they fall, or become loose, you can re-wrap your legs.
-Do not get your dressings wet.
-Dr. DePerro will do your first dressing change in 2-3 days
-You can walk and climb steps but limit how far you raise your legs when walking, and limit spreading your legs.
-Ok to shower once your ACE wraps are removed.
-When showering you can hold your drains, pin them to a belt around your waist, attach them to a lanyard or string around your neck, or a partner/family member can hold them. Do whatever is easiest for you.
-Leave all surgical tapes in place. You may change the gauze pads (4×4’s) or ABD pads around the drains or over the incision but do not remove the tape that is covering the incision.
-Elevate your feet/knees with a few pillows so that you are in a “V” position. This will relieve pressure on your incisions and help with swelling.
DRAIN CARE:
- Strip your drains at least 3 times per day. If you use a small amount of soap/water or hand sanitizer on your hand while stripping the drain, it makes the process easier.
- Record the individual drain output daily. Bring the record to your follow-up appointment.
- Make sure the JP bulb is on suction by squeezing the bulb and then replacing the cap. When the bulb is suctioned and providing negative pressure, it should be slightly indented.
–Do Not apply a heating pad or ice to your incision. After surgery you will have decreased sensation and heat/ice can result in a burn/frost bite without you feeling it.
-Take your pain medication with food. This can be with as little as a few crackers. This will help prevent nausea.
-Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for at least 2 weeks following surgery unless specifically instructed. This can lead to bleeding issues.
-Smoking causes multiple wound healing complications. It is very important that you do not smoke, and you are not around people that smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.
-Be sure to walk daily. This can be broken up in multiple short trips. It is OK and recommended that you walk more than the minimum of 300 yards. This will help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
(DVT’s/Blood Clots) and Pulmonary Embolisms (PE’s).
-Avoid exposing the scars to the sun for at least 6 to 12 months. When going outside, it is recommended that you use SPF 30 or greater over your surgical sites. All incisions will be extremely sensitive during the healing phase.