Abdominoplasty Post-Op Instructions

The following instructions are provided to help you through the recovery process. Please review these carefully before your surgery and call our office at (865) 218-6210 should you have any questions before or after your surgery.

Discharge Instructions:

• Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after your surgery.
• Do not smoke for 24 hours after surgery.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after surgery or while taking prescribed narcotic medications.
• Resume a regular diet.
• Take prescribed medications as directed by Dr. Lucas.
• Limit torso movement and activity for first few days.
• After dressings are removed at the post-surgery appointment the following day, abdominal binder should be worn continuously until drains are removed.
• After drains are removed you may begin wearing a snug-fitting high rise girdle continuously for the next 4-5 weeks.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for six weeks, i.e., heavy lifting, running, sit-ups.

What to Expect After Surgery:

You may experience one or more of the following for up to six weeks after your surgery:

• Two drains in place for approximately one week
• Swelling and bruising
• Tightness in abdomen, tenderness around incision
• Back pain
• Red to yellow tinged drainage
• Fluid accumulation after drains have been removed
• Moderate pain controlled by prescribed analgesic
• Pain pump also will be in place for about three to four days to help minimize pain
• Low-grade fever
• Abdominal skin swelling

If you experience any of the following, call our office at (865) 218-6210:

• Red, inflamed, painful incision
• Yellow or green drainage from incision area
• Excessive bleeding (blood soaked dressings or increasing amounts of bright red blood in drains)
• Severe pain not controlled by prescribed analgesic
• Fever greater than 101.5
• Nausea and/or vomiting