Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Postoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Abdominoplasty

1. Getting home and postoperative supervision.
   It is extremely hazardous to drive after general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Please arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
2. Activity for the first 24 hours.
   The effects of anesthesia can remain in your body as long as 24 hours. After surgery, you must plan to rest for 24 hours. Avoid straining or stooping.
3. Sleeping position.
   Try to sleep on your back.
4. Diet.
   After surgery you may take liquids such as soup, tea, soft drinks, or Jell-O. Gradually progress to a soft diet and then a regular diet over the next 24 hours.
5. Medications, herbal supplements, vitamins and alcohol.
   Fill your prescriptions and take your post-operative medications as directed. If you should become nauseated or develop a rash, call the office. You may resume your regular medications
   unless Dr. Boyd directs otherwise. However, avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products for two weeks before and after surgery. Remember, many herbal supplements adversely affect the
   clotting process and actively cause bruising and bleeding. These should be stopped two weeks before surgery and may be resumed two weeks afterwards. Avoid alcohol until post-operative
   medications are finished. Dr. Boyd does not recommend taking mega doses of vitamins in excess of the normal daily requirement (which is more than adequately met by a normal balanced diet).
   Please discontinue this form of medication for two weeks before and after surgery unless you are being treated for a specific deficiency. One multivitamin tablet per day is permissible, however.
6. Dressings.
   The elastic pressure garment should remain on at all times until you are instructed to remove it. You will need to take sponge baths to avoid getting the garment wet. Before your discharge
   from the Clinic, you will be instructed on the emptying and care of the drain that you will see emerging from under the dressing. This will be removed when drainage is less than 40 cc per
   24 hours – usually within four or five days.
7. Wound care, shampooing, showering.
   After the bandages and drain are removed, you may shower daily.
8. Activity after the first 24 hours (including driving).
   The day after surgery, get out of bed and walk around the house. Do this several times a day increasing the activity as tolerated. After two weeks, you may swim and walk longer distances,
   but avoid strenuous exercise for six weeks. Avoid ‘sit-up’ exercises for two months. Do not drive for one week and never drive while taking pain medication.
9. Things to avoid. (See 2 and 5 also)
   It is vital that you do not smoke after surgery to avoid respiratory and wound healing complications. Smoking may cause wound breakdown and loss of tissue in the post-operative phase.
10. Bruising, swelling and other normal events.
    It is normal to have swelling and bruising of the surgical area. This will gradually improve over several weeks. However, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or unusual pain in the
    operated area, especially on one side, should be called to the attention of Dr. Boyd immediately.
    Someone in the office will call you the day after surgery to check on your condition and answer any questions you might have. You can reach Dr. Boyd or a staff member around the clock
    by calling (310) 530-4200.

These instructions are not intended to cover every possible problem that could arise. Good judgment on your part is essential for a good result.