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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) PRE-OPERATIVE Weight Should be close to ideal weight, therefore diet pre-operatively. It is not a correction for obesity. Smoking Essential to stop at least 3 weeks prior to surgery, and until Wounds are fully healed or at least 2 weeks after. Other scars Some may prevent full abdominoplasty and the technique will be modified accordingly. Drugs Avoid aspirin and similar drugs for 2 weeks pre-operatively. OPERATION Scar - Bikini line just above the hair line. - Umbilical. - May occasionally need a vertical incision. Muscle tightening may be required especially following pregnancies. Sutures - Dissolving buried. - Skin clips - removed after 5 days. Drains - Remain in place until significant drainage ceases. Dressings - Supportive bandaging, girdle supplied. POST-OPERATIVE Posture - The abdominal skin will feel tight and you are usually unable to stand up straight for several days. Skin support - Firm cycling shorts or girdle type pants should be worn for 6 weeks post-operatively day and night, in order to support the abdominal skin. Exercise - Avoid vigorous exercise, including lifting of heavy shopping bags etc, for 6 weeks. Moderate exercise such as walking or swimming is recommended until this time. Care of scars - Apply Micropore tape (1 inch) along the scar for 3 months to prevent stretching and accelerate scar softening. Vit. E creams may be used after this period. POTENTIAL PROBLEMS Pain - Moderate discomfort can be expected. Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen type analgesics. Bruising - May last for several weeks, and general post-operative swelling may last for several months. Wound - Occasional mild infection , invariably responds to a short course of antibiotics. - Rarely, delayed healing, skin loss or poor scars requiring revision. - Very rarely, serious infection or haematoma (blood collection) requiring drainage. Numbness - This is expected in the lower abdominal skin. Invariably lasts for 3-6 months but may be permanent. DVT - Leg vein thrombosis is rare. Measures will be taken to keep risk low.
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