TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)

Guidelines before treatment:

• Do not eat, drink or smoke at least 6 hours before surgery.

• Remove nail polish from at least one fingernail and toenail.

• Do not wear any jewellery.

• Do not take any blood thinning (Marcoumar, Sintrom) or anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen for 10 days before surgery.

• It is best to shave the pubic area the day before the surgery.

• The morning of your procedure, shower and wash your surgical areas with desinfectant soap (iso-Betadine, Hibiscrub, Dettol). After your shower do not wear any makeup, moisturizers, oils, creams, or lotions, or deodorant.

• The morning of your procedure you may brush your teeth, but do not swallow more than a sip of water. If your surgeon allows you to take any prescribed medication, swallow it with a minimal amount of water.

• It is recommended to stop smoking 4 weeks before the surgery.

• Moderate alcohol consumption 2 weeks before the surgery, and stop alcohol consumption 1 day before the surgery.

• Wear comfortable clothing on the day of surgery, ideally loose-fitting clothes that open in the front and comfortable flat shoes that slip on.

• It is recommended to wear compression stockings during 10 days. You can buy these stockings at the clinic on the day of the procedure.

• Bring with you a bathrobe and slippers.

  
  

Guidelines after treatment:

• The first few days after the operation you are advised not to stretch yourself completely in order to avoid too much traction on the wound.

• There will be two drains to catch excess blood and wound liquids. These drains can be removed as soon as less than 20 cc is accumulated in a period of 24 hours.

• After surgery you will be wearing a special abdominal binder which you will need to keep on day and night for a month. After the drains have been removed you can take a shower.

• The following pain killers can be taken the first few days: paracetamol 1g tablet 8-hourly, ibuprofen 400mg tablet 8-hourly and if necessary tramadol 50mg tablet 8-hourly.

• You can apply ice packs to reduce swelling and pain during the first 3 days.

• The stitches will be removed after approximately 14 days.

• Three weeks after surgery the scars can be massaged twice daily. This is best done with a hydrating cream or a special scar cream. Ask your chemist for advice.

• Protect scars well from the sun for 1 year.

• It is important to take enough rest after the procedure.

• Sports: Sports that do not cause any shocks (like walking) can be practised after 1 week. Up to 6 weeks after surgery it is best not to practise more active types of sport (e.g. horse riding or jogging) or sports that involve a lot of arm movement (e.g. swimming).

• Up to 8 weeks after the surgery, it is not recommended to visit a saunau or a wellness.

• Make sure there is someone to drive you home. You will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours because of the medication you received during the treatment.

I wish you a quick recovery!

If any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me!