This information will be important for your surgeon so they can monitor your progress. Empty out the bulb around 3 times a day and be sure to record how much fluid was removed. Your drains will collect excess blood and fluid during the first 3 to 10 days. Be gentle with your incisions and clean with only soapy water and a soft cloth. When you decide to take your first post-op shower, be sure to use cool water and try not to stand for a significant amount of time. It takes a few days for the incisions to close completely, so sponge baths are a safer option during this time. Patients should not shower for about 48 hours after surgery. Contact your surgeon right away if you experience any swelling or abnormal levels of discomfort. However, the soreness isn’t any different than what most would typically expect from surgery. Patients may experience slight discomfort around their drains for about a week after the procedure. By tending to drains and caring for them correctly, patients can enjoy a smoother recovery process. Removing this fluid helps prevent infection and other potential complications. These small tubes have an attached bulb that helps drain excess fluid from around the treatment area. Tummy tuck drains are post-op devices that help patients avoid fluid buildup around the incision and treatment site after tummy tuck surgery. In this blog post, we’ll answer some of the questions most commonly asked by our patients. Patients who are more informed about tummy tuck drains and understand how they work can better advocate for themselves during their recovery. But many patients have questions about tummy tuck drains and don’t know how to care for them. Drains are used after tummy tucks in our Guilford, CT, practice to help patients heal cleanly and safely. However, it is an extensive surgery and often requires a more challenging recovery period. If your work requires heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you will need to wait at least four to six weeks.Tummy tuck surgery is known for toning the midsection and creating flattering, transformative results. You may be able to drive and return to a desk job as early as two weeks after a tummy tuck. In general, you should not drive until you’ve been off of your prescription pain medication for at least 24 hours and can safely operate a vehicle in traffic. Driving & Returning to Workīefore you drive or return to work, it’s best to get your surgeon’s approval at a follow-up visit. You can also try to sleep in a recliner, if you have one, to maintain the proper position. When you get out of bed, you should turn on your side first and/or have someone support your back. How to Sleepįor the first few days after surgery, you should sleep on your back or side and place pillows under your knees to take the pressure off of your abdominal muscles. However, you should avoid any strenuous activity or motion with excessive force until three months after surgery. You can gradually start increasing your physical activity six weeks after your tummy tuck. Lifting: For the first four to six weeks, you should not lift anything over 10 pounds.Bending and squatting: For six weeks after surgery, you should avoid or ease into these positions as they may be strain your incision line.After three weeks, you should be able to walk normally, but not forcefully. Walking: Expect to spend plenty of time resting the first few days after your tummy tuck, with the exception of walking around the house to maintain healthy circulation. Do not soak in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until your incisions heal or your surgeon says it’s okay. You can resume a daily shower two days after surgery. You may be most comfortable wearing loose-fitting pants, such as drawstring pajama pants or dresses. Initially, you will want to avoid clothing that digs into your waist. You can stop wearing it shortly after your drains are removed around one to two weeks after surgery. You should always wear your compression garment except when showering or washing it. You will also wear a compression garment around your abdomen to prevent fluid buildup and to support you while you heal. What to WearĪfter your tummy tuck procedure, you will have a light bandage over your incisions (cuts). You will be able to start scar massage and use scar tapes or creams to minimize the appearance of your scar at least three weeks after surgery. Your drains will remain in place until we remove them in a follow-up visit around one to two weeks after surgery. We will show you how to do this before you leave the hospital. You will need to empty your drains several times a day. During your tummy tuck, we will place small drainage tubes near your incision to stop fluid from building up in that area while you heal.
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