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Please read carefully. If you have questions call the office at 303-327-7300.
- WHAT TO EXPECT: You will be bruised and SWOLLEN. Not only have you have received IV fluids but you will also retain fluid for several days. You will tend to swell in your lower extremities, groin, and any areas outside of your compression garment.
- ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING for at least 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after your procedure.
- DAY OF SURGERY: Bring an example of the underwear you traditionally wear and/ or bathing suit. Dr. Atagi will be basing her incision on these garments.
- DRESSINGS: Unless instructed differently, you do not need to change your dressings. If necessary, we will change them the day after your surgery and remove them during your first post-operative visit. Sutures will be removed 1 - 2 weeks after surgery.
- SHOWERING: You may shower the morning following your surgery, DO NOT soak your clear plastic dressings in the bath tub, hot tub, or jacuzzi. Use water of a comfortable temperature - nothing too hot. Minimize high pressure shower flow directly to your abdomen.
- MEDICATION(S): Take your medications as directed on the bottle. Please finish any antibiotics that have been prescribed. You will continue antibiotics for at least as long as the drains are in place. Continue all blood pressure, heart, and thyroid medications. Take any of your required medications at the usual time(s). Check with our staff regarding any medications in question, including those for Diabetes. NO ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN, HERBS, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, OR OTHER MEDICATIONS ON THE "NO-NO LIST" for 2 weeks following your surgery.
- PAIN MEDICATIONS: Take your pain medications regularly for the first few days. It is easier to stay ahead of the discomfort than to play catch-up. We do not want you in a lot of unnecessary discomfort as it is important for you to be doing your deep breathing exercises, be up walking, and avoiding excessive elevation of your blood pressure. Pain medications may be stopped, if not needed, or substituted with Tylenol should you need something to take the edge off. Avoid taking your pain medications on an empty stomach. You may resume Ibuprofen after 2 weeks.
- DRAIN CARE: The hospital nurses will show you how to empty and strip/"milk" the drain(s) before you are discharged. This will help to keep the drains clear and flowing. Strip the drain 3 - 4 times a day. Write down the date, time, and fluid quantity each time you empty the drain. Remove the gauze around the drain prior to showering and replace it as needed. It is there to catch any leakage you may have around the drain. You may find that using an unscented sanitary napkin or panti-liner tucked into your support garment is a good substitute for the gauze. These pads are highly absorbent and have a fluid proof barrier to protect your clothing. The sticky backs may also alleviate the need for tape on your skin if you are tape sensitive.
- CAREGIVER: You MUST have a caregiver for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- COMPRESSION STOCKINGS: You may remove your surgical stockings once you are up and walking regularly.
- GARMENT: Wear your abdominal binder unless you are showering. You will be wearing this garment 3 - 4 weeks following your surgery. After the initial few weeks, you will wear your abdominal binder or other compressive garment such as a Nancy Ganz Body Slimmer, Flexees garment, or biking shorts from your local department store during the day for 2 - 3 weeks for support.
- ACTIVITY: It is important for you to be up and walking the morning following your surgery, in particular, to prevent Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots in your legs. You will be walking in a crouched position to minimize pulling on the incision. Over the course of the week you will be standing more and more upright. Restrict activities that will raise your blood pressure or heart rate for 2 weeks following your surgery. This is to minimize bleeding problems. After 2 weeks you can gradually begin to resume your usual exercise/activities with the exception of heayy lifting—AVOID HEAVY LIFTING (>10 pounds), straining the abdominal muscles, and sexual activity for 6 weeks following surgery.
- DEEP BREATHING: Ten big deep breaths every hour while you are awake! This exercise will open up the air sacs in your lungs to prevent post-operative fevers and pneumonias. This may seem trivial but we all tend to take shallow breaths when we are having discomfort. In addition, you have just your abdomen tightened and you are wearing a restrictive garment!
- SLEEPING/POSITIONING: Sleep on your back with several pillows under your back, legs and arms. You will be in this "jack-knife" or "beach chair" position for 7 - 10 days. After this time you may begin sleeping in any position that is comfortable.
- DRIVING: You should have someone drive you to your first appointment. You may resume driving once you are off narcotic pain medications and when you feel comfortable behind the wheel. Keep in mind that you must be able to maintain control of your vehicle should you need to swerve suddenly, have a blow-out, etc.
- CONSTIPATION: Keep in mind that straining to move you bowels will also strain your newly repaired abdominal muscles. Take an over-the-counter stool softener per the package instructions while you are taking the narcotic pain medication (e.g. Pericolace 1 tablet twice a day). Between a change in diet, decreased activity, and the narcotic pain medications, constipation is not uncommon. Have a low threshold for using a laxative, suppository, or enema (also per package instructions) to get your system moving.
- ICE: DO NOT use ice packs. The normal blood supply to your skin has been disrupted with your surgery and your skin is very sensitive to decreased blood flow following surgery. Cooling the skin will further decrease the blood flow to your skin and the incision that is trying to heal.
- MINIMIZING SCARS: Minimize hyperpigmentation or darkening of the scar by avoiding sun exposureto the affected area while it is pink and healing—this may be as long as several months to over a year! Use a sunblock or sunscreen with SPF 45, protective clothing is helpful.
There are few magic potions to eat, drink, or rub into your scar. Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, Mederma, etc. are often thought to improve scars. These products may help but it is more likely that the massaging action helps to reduce swelling and scar firmness.
Over-exuberant scar formation, such as scar hypertrophy or keloids, scar widening, or discoloration are uncommon but can be minimized or improved using various techniques. Some examples include the use of scar massage, silicone gel or sheeting, and/or steroid injection for firm, hypertrophic or keloid scars; tape support to the incision for scar widening; laser treatment of persistently pink scars; bleaching agents for hyperpigmented scars. We will instruct you on these techniques when appropriate.
- SYMPTOMS: CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AT 303-327-7300 if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Temperature ≥ 101°
- Increasing pain
- Increasing wound redness
- Wound drainage or pus
- Persistent or increased bleeding
- Increasing pressure or fullness
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In Our Patients' Own Words:
Thank you to Dr. Atagi and her staff. Each one of Dr. Atagi's staff made me feel as if I was their only and favorite patient. They monitored my healing and well-being as if I was a relative. Thank you for your support and friendship throughout my procedure.
- P. Murguia
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