Liposuction or Tummy Tuck
The following instructions are intended to inform you and answer questions you may have pertaining to your surgery. Please read them carefully and completely. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to call us. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your post-operative period.
Care Instructions Following a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction
- Rest for the first 24 hours .
- Begin taking sips of water, ice chips or 7U. If tolerated you have Coke, juices, soup, or jello.
- You must wear your compression garment day and night for 7 more weeks. (TOTAL OF 8 WEEKS)
- You may go to the bathroom as needed -- DO NOT REMOVE GIRDLE (OR OTHER COMPRESSION GARMENT).
- Take only a sponge bath. Do not wet the dressings or incisions until advised otherwise.
- Placing well padded ice bags over the area for the first 24 hours often relieves discomfort significantly.
- Take medications according to instructions on bottles. Have someone else give you your medicine according to the correct time intervals. While under its influence, you might forget or take it too often.
- You may have some discomfort for 4-5 days.
- You can expect:
- some pain
- some numbness
- swelling
- bruising
- The period of greatest discomfort usually does not last more than 12-24 hours. Thereafter, you may find that you need the pain medicine less frequently. You may want to switch to Tylenol.
- Call our office if you have:
- severe pain no responding to pain medications .
- more swelling and/or pain on one side than the other.
- Expect swelling to last for as long as 3 months.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activity for two or three weeks.
- No heavy lifting, pushing, driving, or housework.
- You may gradually increase your more vigorous physical activities beginning at 3 weeks through 6 weeks.
- No sex for 3 weeks (rubbing action may disrupt skin adhering to underlying tissues)
- Doctor's appointment -- 1 week from surgery. At this time, Dr. Chiaramonte will remove your compression garment for the first time. Call (301) 877-7737 for an appointment.
Read more about liposuction or tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Chiaramonte.
Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery office in Clinton, Maryland (MD) convenient from the Baltimore Maryland (MD), Washington, D.C. area.
