Plastic Surgery Instructions (Abdominoplasty):
-During the first 3 weeks wear your abdominal binder at all times except when showering
-Ok to shower starting 48 hrs after surgery
-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 head with 2-3 pillows and elevate your feet/knees with a few pillows so that you are in a “V” position. This will relieve pressure on your incisions
-Strip your drains at least 3 times per day. If you use a small amount of soap/water or hand sanitizer it makes the process easier
-Record the individual drain output daily. Bring the record to your follow up appointment.
-If you had muscle work done during surgery you may be more tender in the upper abdomen. This is normal.
-Do Not apply a heating pad or ice to your incision or abdomen. 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.
-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. Second hand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.
-Be sure to walk at least 300 yards 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).