Recovering from Abdominoplasty
Any surgical procedure, whether major or minor, requires a period of healing and recuperation. During this period, you will not be able to engage in many of your normal activities nor should you, as this healing period is as vital to the success of the surgery as is the procedure itself.
Immediately Following Your Surgery
After the procedure is complete, the surgical team will apply dressings as well as a compression garment in order to minimize swelling and support your abdominal region during the course of the recovery period. As their will likely be a build up of fluids where the surgery was done, it is likely that a small tube, or catheter will be inserted into the wound.
Upon Your Discharge
Before you are released (it goes without saying that you have someone to drive you home), your doctor will give you specific instructions as to how to take care of your dressings, how to deal with the catheter (you’ll probably be asked to keep track of the fluid that drains from the incision site, noting amount and color), and which prescriptions you’ll need in order to reduce pain and swelling and reduce the risk of infection. Finally, you’ll make a follow-up appointment that will probably be within the next 7 days.
At Home
You’ll need to stay in bed for at least the first 24 hours, and possibly as long as two days. Be certain that your knees and hips are bent so as to remove any tension on the abdominal wall.
After this initial rest period, you should start taking short walks around your house or apartment; you’ll have to do this bent over at first. Avoid all lifting if possible; under no circumstances should you attempt to lift more than five pounds, nor attempt to operate an automobile.
One to Eight Weeks
Life should begin to return to normal after the first week; by the end of ten days, the catheter can usually be removed. You should still not attempt to do any sort of heavy lifting, but you can start walking, cycling or using an elliptical trainer after the first month.
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