Full Tummy Tuck Post Operative Care plays an important role for your recovery from a full tummy tuck.
Before you are discharged home, you will be given appointments to come and see the nurses one week after surgery and another appointment to see me after one month. This may vary depending on your specific circumstances. It is included in the pricing of the surgery.
You will also be given a post operative care information sheet and telephone numbers for you to call in case of any query you may have once at home.
Anna recommends that patients wear the abdominal binder/corset/garment provided for 4 weeks following surgery and should be worn as much as possible for the first 10 days (Day and night).
A softer garment could be worn if the postoperative one is too uncomfortable after 2 weeks, for a period of 6 to 8 weeks.
You will wake up with 2 drains. They are thin silicone tubes attached to a plastic bottle. They are normally removed 24 -48 hours after surgery, however, occasionally patients need to go home with them. The nurses will explain how to empty them. Once the fluid has reduced to a specific quantity, you will have to come back to the hospital to have them removed.
Providing it all heals normally no dressings are needed after 2 weeks. Anna recommends application of micropore or silicone tape to the wounds for six weeks to prevent early stretching of the scars.
Time off work and return to activities
Recovery may vary between patients. In general, allow 3 to 4weeks.
Some patients can return to work after 4 weeks, however, if your work requires a lot of physical activity (heavy lifting, bending and stretching) then you may require a longer time.
Day 1 to 4 of your post operative care
Take it very easy!!!You will need plenty of helpers to do things for you. You should not be looking after any young children or doing any housework.
Day 4 to 15 of your post operative care
No housework please. No bed making, stretching or picking up heavy objects.
You should be able to walk a distance at 7 to 10 days, short walk to the park etc, although you may still be uncomfortable.
By the end of the second week, you should be virtually pain free.
Week 3 onwards of your post operative care
If all wounds are fully healed you should be able to increase activity, ie swimming. However, you should start at a lower intensity to what you were doing before and gradually build up.
Aerobics, steps, cycling etc should be avoided for 8 weeks. When you start, always begin with a lower intensity to what you were used to before the surgery and gradually build up.
Sexual activity usually it is best avoided for the first 2 to 3 weeks.
By 8 weeks you should be back to normal.
Driving
Always check with your insurance company. You should be pain free and able to do an emergency turn before driving.
To make an appointment with Anna Raurell please contact us to arrange your appointment.
