Abdominoplasty-abdominal liposuction post-operative instructions

Dr. A.Demianczuk, MD, FRCSC
514-1200 Burrard, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C7
ABDOMINOPLASTY-ABDOMINAL LIPOSUCTION POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Rest and avoid vigorous activity for the first week and this will significantly reduce your bruising. It is beneficial to stay mobile and take leisurely walks once you are comfortable. Apply ice to the area of surgery as much as possible for the first 48 hours as this may reduce your swelling and discomfort. You can use an icepack, a wet face cloth placed in the freezer, or a bag of frozen peas or corn. You should drink lots of non-citric juice or non-diet soft drinks for the first several days after your surgery. If you are not urinating as much as normal, increase the amount of fluid you are drinking. If after this you continue to urinate less than normal, call Dr. Demianczuk. You may be placed in a liposuction compression garment following your surgery, which is to be worn continuously for three weeks. Once you are comfortable, you can remove the garment in order to shower. You will use an anti-bacterial soap for washing (i.e. Dial, Hibitane). You may wash your compression garment as necessary. YOU MAY NOT SHOWER WHILE YOU HAVE A DRAIN IN PLACE!!!!
You will have dissolving stitches. An outer gauze dressing will be applied and beneath this there will be steristrips (tapes). You will remove the outer dressing at 48 hours. Allow the steristrips to gradually peel off over a period of one to two weeks. If you have any open areas on your incision sites once the Steristrips are off then please apply BACTROBAN ointment to these areas. You may have drains in place. The recovery room nurse will show you how to empty these and keep track of the drainage. Dr. Demianczuk will give you instructions as to when these should be removed. You may notice the skin in the area of your abdominoplasty/liposuction feels quite odd. This is normal. Once you are comfortable, begin to firmly massage the surgical area for five minutes three times daily and continue for several weeks until the swelling settles and sensation is normal. The sensation takes several months to come back and gently massaging and touching the skin as much as possible will hasten the recovery of sensation. You may have undergone rectus plication in which the abdominal muscles are tightened. Check with Dr. Demianczuk whether this has been done. If you have had plication, you should avoid heavy lifting for a period of six weeks. If you are going to be in the sun, regular use of an over the counter sunscreen such as RV Raque by ICN (semiopaque) or a sunscreen with SPF 30 (Presun 30 or Ombrelle Extreme 30) is recommended for several weeks after words. Do not use vitamin E cream for the first six weeks or you may widen your scars. There is some evidence that your scars may be improved by taping them continuously for about three months. Use 3M Micropore 1 inch paper tape and apply along the length of the scar wearing it night and day and changing it as necessary. This is optional but you may find it helpful. You should not begin taping until all the incisions are fully closed over. Dr. A.Demianczuk, MD, FRCSC
514-1200 Burrard, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C7 You should page Dr. Demianczuk immediately (604-312.6365) if you have:
- bleeding, increasing pain, pus in the surgery area, fever, difficulty urinating, shortness
of breath
- If you cannot reach Dr. Demianczuk after hours, please call St. Paul’s Hospital at 604-
682-2344 and ask to page the Plastic Surgeon on call
You did ____ did not ____ receive medicine for sedation. If you did receive sedation, you
MUST NOT operate motor vehicles, boats power tools, or machinery for 24 hours. You
MUST NOT sign or enter into any legal contracts for 24 hours. We suggest that a responsible
adult be with you following surgery for the rest of the day and night.
PERSCRIPTIONS:


Tylenol #3 ___________. Take one or two tablets every 4 to 6 hours as necessary for pain. Avoid driving or taking alcohol while using this medicine.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Follow-up Appointment: _______________________________________

Source: http://www.vancouverplasticsurgery.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Abdominoplasty-Instructions.pdf