Pre-OPERATIVE  INSTRUCTIONS  For  ABDOMINOPLASTY  

THREE  WEEKS  BEFORE  SURGERY:  • Laboratory  tests  and  EKG  (if  they  are  required)  must  be  done.

• SURGERY  WILL  NEED  TO  BE  CANCELLED  IF  THERE  IS  ANY  CHANCE  THAT  YOU  ARE  PREGNANT.

• All  fees  are  due,  including  surgical,  facility  and  anesthesia.

TWO  WEEKS  BEFORE  SURGERY:  • Do  not  take  any  products  containing  aspirin,  ibuprofen  (Advil,  Motrin),  non-­‐steroidal  anti-­‐

inflammatory  medication  or  Vitamin  E.  Tylenol  is  acceptable.• Refrain  from  all  nicotine  products,  including  cigarettes,  pipe  tobacco,  chew  or  Nicotine  patch.

Nicotine  interferes  with  healthy  circulation  and  may  affect  the  result  of  your  surgery.  It  alsoplaces  you  at  higher  risk  of  complication  when  receiving  anesthesia.

ONE  WEEK  BEFORE  SURGERY:  • Do  not  drink  alcohol  for  1  week  before  and  after  surgery.• Please  ensure  that  all  laboratory  tests  and  or  blood  work  has  been  completed  by  this  time  as

ordered  by  the  physician/nurse  practitioner.

THE  DAY  BEFORE  SURGERY:  • The  Surgery  Center  will  call  you  after  noon  to  inform  you  of  your  arrival  time  for  surgery.• DO  NOT  EAT  OR  DRINK  ANYTHING  AFTER  MIDNIGHT.  (This  includes  water  and  gum  chewing).

Surgery  may  be  cancelled  if  this  is  not  followed.  A  fasting  state  is  required  in  order  to  receivesedation  for  surgery.  The  only  exception  is  medication,  which  we  instruct  you  to  take  with  a  sipof  water  the  morning  of  surgery.

DAY  OF  SURGERY:  • Go  to  Hospital INT for Surgery• You  may  shower  and  shampoo  the  morning  of  surgery.  Do  not  wear  makeup,  hair  sprays  or  gels

or  nail  polish.  You  may  leave  acrylic  nails  on.• Please  wear  loose  fitting  clothing.• Do  not  wear  jewelry,  including  boy  jewelry  or  bring  valuables  to  surgery.• If  you  have  your  menstrual  cycle,  please  wear  a  feminine  napkin.  Do  not  wear  a  tampon.• Wear  the  style  of  panty  or  bathing  suit  bottom  that  you  will  be  wearing  after  you  recover  from

your  procedure.    This  is  necessary  in  order  for the Doctor  to  place  as  much  of  your  incision within  your  panty  line  as  possible.

POST-­‐OPERATIVE  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR    ABDOMINOPLASTY  

COMMON  INSTRUCTIONS  AFTER  SURGERY:  • A  responsible  adult  must  provide  transportation  for  you  after  surgery  (public  transportation  is

not  permissible).    He/she  must  stay  with  you  overnight  and  after  surgery  until  the  morning  following  the  procedure.  If  you  are  having  several  procedures,  you  may  need  or  prefer  assistance  for  1-­‐2  days  following  your  procedure.    

• Avoid  making  major  decisions  or  participating  in  activities  that  require  judgment  for  24  hours.• Do  not  drive  for  approximately  10-­‐12  days  and  while  you  are  taking  pain  medication.• Avoid  any  activities  that  cause  pain  or  discomfort.• Limit  your  activities  for  the  first  24  hours  after  surgery.  Walk  for  short  distances  during  the  first

24  hours  after  surgery.  You  may  not  be  able  to  stand  straight  up  for  the  first  week.  This  isnormal.  By  the  second  week  you  will  gradually  notice  that  you  are  able  to  stand  more  upright.Keep  your  hips  flexed  while  in  bed  for  the  first  week  or  so  to  prevent  excess  tension  at  thesurgical  site.

• Pump  legs  while  lying  down  to  prevent  blood  clots.  You  will  be  wearing  supportive  stockingsconsistently  for  the  first  2  weeks  after  surgery.

• Resume  activities  slowly.  You  may  feel  tired  for  the  first  few  days.  Avoid  heavy  lifting,  bendingand  straining  for  4-­‐6  weeks.  You  may  resume  all  activity  after  six  weeks.

• You  will  go  home  with  an  On-­‐Q  Pain  Management  System  which  will  relieveabdominal/incisional  discomfort.  For  any  pain  not  relieved  with  this,  you  can  take  painmedication  prescribed  for  you  by  our  Nurse  Practitioner  or  Physician  Assistant.

• Take  all  medications  as  instructed.• Swelling  and  bruising  are  normal.  It  is  expected  to  take  between  3-­‐6  months  to  see  your  final

results.• Drink  plenty  of  fluids  (8-­‐10  glasses/day)  for  the  first  couple  of  weeks  after  surgery  as  this  will

help  you  to  remain  well  hydrated  and  reduce  swelling.• If  you  have  not  urinated  after  6  hours  of  being  home  from  surgery,  please  contact  our  office.• After  surgery  it  is  common  that  you  will  have  a  drain  at  the  surgical  site.  Drains  help  to  remove

excess  fluid  from  the  abdomen.  The  amount  of  drainage  will  determine  how  long  the  drain  willbe  left  in  place.  Follow  the  separate  instruction  sheet  on  drains  that  will  accompany  yourpaperwork  post  operatively.

• You  may  change  the  absorbent  gauze  pads  that  are  placed  at  the  surgical  site  as  needed  to  helpkeep  the  incision  clean  and  dry.

• A  surgical  garment  will  be  applied  immediately  after  surgery.  This  is  to  be  worn  continuously  forthe  first  week.  After  one  week,  you  may  remove  the  garment  to  shower.  After  showering,  thegarment  must  be  placed  back  on  and  worn  for  six  weeks.  You  may  want  to  use  a  funnel  to  directthe  flow  of  urine  when  using  the  bathroom  to  keep  the  garment  as  clean  as  possible.

• You  will  notice  some  surgical  tapes  placed  over  your  incision.  If  they  get  wet  from  showering,you  may  help  them  to  dry  by  using  a  blow  dryer  (cool  setting).  Leave  tapes  in  place  as  they  willfall  off  on  their  own.  After  this,  massage  the  Scar  Balm  into  the  incision  to  aid  with  healing.

• Avoid  direct  sunlight  to  the  incision  for  at  least  1  year.  Use  a  sunscreen  with  zinc  oxide  with  SPF20  or  greater  to  help  decrease  the  visibility  of  the  scar.

• You  may  resume  sexual  intercourse  after  3  weeks.

Taking Care of your Drain | Post-op Care

Care of the drain and drain site: 1. The drain should be emptied every 1-2 hours except overnight. Use one hand to hold thedrain securely next to the insertion site and using the other hand’s thumb and forefinger squeeze all the way down the tube to the bulb. Using an alcohol wipe to strip eases this stripping motion. 2. Clean the area around the drain with a cotton swab and peroxide mixture twice daily.3. Apply antibiotic ointment with a cotton swab.4. Cover with dressing as instructed.

Your drain works as a suction from the compressed bulb. This removes fluid from the surgical site and assists in wound healing. Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will be shown how to properly take care of the drain and drain site. It's important that you follow these instructions and log the drainage amount and color on the sheets provided. You will need to bring these recordings to your next appointment.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DRAINS AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

To empty the bulb: 1. Wash your hands.2. Hold the bulb upright (drainage plug on top).3. Remove the drainage plug to release pressure.4. Allow bulb to fully expand.5. Turn the bulb upside down and GENTLY squeeze the fluid in the medicine cup foraccurate measurements in cc’s (1cc = 1 milliliter). 6. Place the medicine cup on a level counter and record the output (amount and color).

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DRAINS AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

To reactivate suction: 1. Squeeze the bulb to remove the air.2. While squeezing, close drainage plug.3. Release the bulb.4. The bulb will stay collapsed or concave.5. Wash your hands.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DRAINS AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Important · Be sure to empty the bulb before it fills completely or the drain will not work properly.· Keep accurate records on the amount and quality of fluid.· Be careful to keep the drain tightly in place.· An airtight seal is necessary between both the skin and the drain and the drain and the

bulb for the system to work properly. · Pay attention to how your wound is healing and keep accurate record.

After drain is removed. 1. You may shower immediately after the drain was removed.2. Apply antibiotic ointment with a cotton swab for two days following drain removal.3. Cover the drain site with a bandage for two days.4. A small amount of continued drainage is normal. Call if the drain site continues todrain for more than 72 hours after drain removal.

Notify Your Surgeon if: · The drain falls out.· There is a change in the color of fluid or unusual amounts of fluid.· The drain becomes clogged.· You experience redness/increasing discomfort around the site.· Fluids drain around the drain site instead of into the drain.· The bulb does not hold suction (stay flat) after reactivating.

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Drain Record

Measure and record the amount of drainage on the sheet below. It is also helpful to give a brief description of the type of drainage, i.e., dark red, watery pink, clear yellow. Empty your drains before the bulb becomes completely full. You will probably need to do this 3 to 4 times a day during your early post-operative days.

Date Time Drain #1 Drain #2 Drain #3

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Date Time Drain #1 Drain #2 Drain #3

CALL  OUR  OFFICE  IF  YOU  DEVELOP  ANY  OF  THE  FOLLOWING:  • Fever  of  101  degrees  F  or  greater.• Pain  not  relieved  with  pain  medication.• Swelling,  redness,  bleeding,  and/or  foul  drainage  from  an  incision  site.• Persistent  nausea  and/or  vomiting.• Any  other  concerns.

Office  Telephone:  #: US TOLL FREE (855) VIVE MED  

I  HAVE  READ  THIS  DOCUMENT/IT  HAS  BEEN  EXPLAINED  TO  ME  AND  I  UNDERSTAND  ALL  OF  THE  INSTRUCTIONS  PROVIDED.  

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