Maryland Liposuction or Tummy Tuck
The following instructions are intended to inform you and answer questions you may have pertaining to your Alexandria or Maryland liposuction or tummy tuck. 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 7UP. If tolerated you have Coke, juices, soup, or jello.
- Your first appointment will be two to three days after surgery. At this time, Dr. Chiaramonte will remove your compression garment for the first time.
- Take only a sponge bath until seen for your first post operative visit. Do not wet the dressings or incisions until advised otherwise.
- No Ice or heating pads are to be used.
- 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 can expect:
- some pain
- some numbness
- swelling
- bruising
- The period of greatest discomfort usually does not last more than 12-24 hours. Moderate paid usually will last another 4 - 5 days. 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 some swelling for a period of 3 to 6 months.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activity for four to six weeks.
- No heavy lifting, pushing, driving, or housework until instructed by Dr. Chiaramonte.
- No sex for 3 weeks (rubbing action may disrupt skin adhering to underlying tissues)
- You must wear your compression garment day and night for 2 weeks and during the day for an additional 2 weeks (TOTAL OF 4 WEEKS during the day)
To learn more about these procedures, schedule a visit to our plastic / cosmetic surgery office in National Harbor, Maryland (MD) convenient from the Alexandria and Northern Virginia areas.
