Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ABDOMINOPLASTY or TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

To prepare for your Abdominoplasty or Tummy tuck surgery, you should have all your prescriptions filled before surgery, including Extra Strength Tylenol.  You may switch over to these when you no longer need the prescription pain medications. 
 
2.  You should arrange a responsible adult to escort you home and stay with you the night of surgery.  You should have someone to help you the first night of your tummy tuck surgery.

3.  You may not drive home after your tummy tuck surgery and may not leave the office unescorted. You may not travel by public transportation (bus, train or taxi). 
 
4.  You can shower or bathe the night before or in the morning of your tummy tuck surgery.  You should not wear deodorant, makeup, jewelry or contact lenses the morning of surgery. You need to remove any metal piercings (earrings, bellybutton rings, etc.) before coming to the office. You may replace them (except for the bellybutton ring) when you get home.  It is a good idea to wear dark, comfortable clothing (gym attire is appropriate) and flat, comfortable shoes.  Shirts that button or zip in front is preferable to shirts you have to pull over your head.
 
5.  It is very important that you do not eat or drink anything (including water, gum or candy) after midnight before your tummy tuck surgery. You may brush your teeth and rinse with water and/or mouthwash.
 
  
INSTRUCTIONS AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY or TUMMY TUCK SURGERY


1.  Since your tummy tuck surgery was done after you not eating or drinking since the night before, eat a light snack after your tummy tuck surgery.  It is much more important to drink fluids (water, Gatorade, V-8, apple juice) if you are having trouble eating solids.  Jell-O, chicken broth and toast are good starters.    

2.  If you have not urinated within six hours of your tummy tuck surgery please call Dr. Diehl.

3.  You should plan for complete rest for 5 days.  Childcare, in particular, must be delegated to someone else.  You need to get up and walk around the house a few times a day to keep up circulation in your legs moving but don't forget to walk bent at the waist and do not try to stand straight up.

4.  You may not to travel for 1 month after the surgery by plane or long car rides. 

5.  Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery can give you some temporary numbness, swelling and bruising in the surgical area which is a normal part of the recovery process.  It is important that you do not apply heat or ice to the operative sites. 

6.  For the next 24 hours:  do not drink alcoholic beverages, do not make important decisions,    do not sign any legal documents, do not operate any mechanical and do not operate electrical equipment.

7.  Take your medications as prescribed. 

8.  Prescription pain medications frequently cause nausea as a side effect.  If so, cut back on them and try Tylenol alone, every 6 hours.  Call Dr. Diehl’s office so that he may change your prescription pain medication to an alternate.  People react differently to the various pain medications.
 
9.  You will need to open the abdominal binder and change the bandages once a day.  The binder is not meant to be tight; it is for your comfort and to keep the bandages in place. You may loosen or tighten it to suit your comfort level. 
 
10.  You may shower or bathe normally after the drains are removed, which will be about a week after your Abdominoplasty surgery.  Until then you should not soak or get the surgical area wet.  Sponge baths are acceptable.
 
11.  You will have drains in place after your tummy tuck surgery.  When there is no more fluid collecting Dr. Gregory Diehl will remove them.
 
12.  Dr. Diehl's office will give you an appointment to follow up after your tummy tuck surgery.
 
13.  If you have any questions call Dr. Gregory Diehl, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, located in Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County, Long Island at 631-476-7300.