Preparing for your surgery is just as important as following the post-operative instructions. Recovery varies from no downtime (Botox, Collagen, Laser, Restylane) to a few weeks for more invasive surgeries. Prior to your surgery, Dr. Mukerji and his staff will give you instructions to prepare for surgery including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed. As with any other surgical care, post-operative care is imperative in the case of plastic surgery as well. We encourage you to follow the instructions provided to you and to call our clinic with any questions.

• Two weeks prior to surgery stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins, and herbs.
• No alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery.
• Have your house in order: pay the bills, take out the trash, and prepare a few meals so you can rest, and make any childcare arrangements.
• Plan to have someone drive you home from the hospital and stay with you for at least 24-48 hours after surgery.
• The hospital will be calling with your surgery time the day before.  You will be arriving approximately 1 ½ hours before surgery.
• Shower the evening before or the morning of surgery.
• Do not wear make-up to surgery.
• The day before surgery, nothing by mouth after midnight.
• Have some 4x4 gauze bandages, tape, and bacitracin ointment for your incision sites.

 Incision Care:

• After your surgery your abdomen will probably be swollen and you’re likely to feel pain and discomfort which can be controlled with pain medication.
• You will have an abdominal binder around your waist area this will be worn for 4 weeks.
• Apply antibiotic ointment to incisions the first week or two, as directed.  Cover with 4x4 gauze pads to protect your clothing.
• You will have one or two drains called Jackson Pratt drains.  The drains should be milked (do not pull on tubing) and emptied two times a day and more if needed.  Please record the amounts of drainage each time you empty them and bring this record to your next appointment.
• You will also have an ON-Q Pain Medication Pump after surgery.  You will remove this pump in three days or as directed – follow the directions in the educational brochure.  Be sure that the black marking at the tip of the catheter is there.  Please call our office if you don’t see the black marking.

Sutures:

• Follow-up appointment will be in 1 week to have your sutures (stitches) clipped and depending on the amount of drainage the drains possibly removed. 
• In two weeks the sutures will be removed and if the drains are still in they will be taken out as well.

Activity:

• Up and moving the first day after surgery.  This aids in circulation and helps prevent blood clots.  It may be difficult to stand up straight at first; this is normal and will gradually ease as your newly tightened muscles stretch.
• No vigorous activity.  Restrict lifting to five pounds or less the first two week, then no more than 10 pounds until you follow-up appointment in one month.  Activity will usually be restricted for six weeks.

Medications:

• Use the antibiotic ointment as stated above.
• Take antibiotics and pain medication for the first week as prescribed.  No driving while taking pain medications.  Some pain medications cause constipation.

Bathing:

• You may shower, keeping the drains away from the direct flow of water.  Initially you should have someone assist you in the shower.  No tub baths for the first two weeks.

Diet:

• No alcohol while taking prescription pain medication.
• Begin with liquids and eat lightly at first, continue to eat and drink small amounts at a time throughout the day.  Increase your intake as tolerated.
• Remember nutrition is essential to proper healing, so choose your foods wisely.
• Drink plenty of fluids and restrict your caffeine intake.

Smoking:
Smoking seriously interferes with blood circulation and healing.  Please do no smoke for 4 weeks after your surgery.  The nicotine patch or gum is also not recommended.

Call your Doctor for:

• Temperature above 100.5 or severe chills.
• Persistent nausea/vomiting.
• Excessive bleeding or drainage on the dressing.
• Severe pain unrelieved by pain medication.
• Redness at the incision sites

It takes time for your body to heal, some people return to work after two weeks while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.  Your scars will fade with time but, will never completely disappear.  Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color.  The results of your abdominoplasty are long lasting if you follow a program of proper nutrition and exercise.