Abdominoplasty (Post-Operative)

Diet: please avoid salty foods since it can make swelling worse

Activity: to help prevent blood clots in the legs please start getting out of bed, walking today. Until you see Dr. Dee in the office please walk with your hips and knees slightly bent. When you sleep please place couple pillows under your knee and sleep slightly propped up. No contact activities to the areas of surgery

Medications: If you are not allergic to Tylenol take 650 mg every four hours as needed for pain

If you have stronger pain please use the prescribed pain medication as needed for pain. If you do take the prescribed medication please do not drive or operate machinery that may harm anyone.

Please do not take advil, ibuprofen, or other non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications (they may cause bleeding or bruising)

Take the prescribed antibiotics written

Resume your previous medications unless otherwise instructed

Showering: May shower and get wet starting tomorrow. When showering please test water using a body part that has not been operated on to ensure that the temperature is not hot or cold; using the part that was operated on to test the water may not be accurate since during your procedure local anesthesia was given so the operated body area may not have normal sensation. Soap and water may fall on the wounds. Do not scrub the wounds. No tub bath.

Dressing changes: please change the gauze or pads as needed. If you have strips of tape, they will fall off, do not worry if they do.

Drains: every four hours while awake please strip and record the output of each drain. Keep a 24hour log of each drain and bring that log to the operating room.

Follow up: please call 210-265-1924 for follow up appointment next week.