Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty) - Post Operative Care
Published On 1 January 2007In this article we will deal with the final few aspects of abdominoplasty – the post procedural care, the convalescence period, and the precaution to betaken during this period.
Abdominoplasty – Post-operative Care
Once the wounds are sutured and the operation is over, the patient comes out of the effects of the anesthetic to a nagging pain in and around the operated area. This is routine, as the discomfort comes from the repositioning of the vertical muscles of the abdomen as well the realigning of the navel and the other accompanying changes.
As a result, the abdominal region remains swollen and sore for a few days post operation. During these days, the pain persists, and has to be controlled using medication. Once the surgery is over, depending on whether the surgery was minimal or extensive, the patient is either discharged or asked to stay back in the hospital for observation. This observation period is critical because infections that could set in are detected in this session.
The observation period itself, and the period for keeping the stitches on, are two separate entities. The observation period may be just for a day or two, while the stitches may be kept on for a longer time period. The stitches on the surface are removed first, in about a week’s time (they are usually kept on for about four to five days). The stitches that are deeper take longer to be removed, usually three weeks to a month.
Abdominoplasty – Convalescence Period
It takes a while to do things as normally as you used to prior to the operation, as is the case with most surgical procedures, however minimal or large-scale they are. The convalescence period basically varies from person to person, depending on their physical conditioning.
People in great physical shape prior to the operation always recover faster. Even otherwise, exercise is usually a good way to hasten the recovery process after abdominoplasty. It is a good idea to do whatever exercise possible, without overstraining yourself. Exercising has its own benefits. It helps achieve the following:
- Tone up the affected muscles.
- Reduce the swelling.
- Minimize the chances of blood clots occurring.
However, the initial requirement is minimal exercise, so that the body gets used to it. Rigorous exercise in the initial stages of post-procedural recovery can be harmful, actually.
After the physical recovery is over, the next thing to be taken care of is the deep scarring. Scarring is something that stays for a while usually. The scars are permanent; while they may fade away over time, they will not vanish totally. During the initial three to six months, the scars may actually seem to get worse. The scars take at least close to a year to lose their initial prominence.
Abdominoplasty – The End Result
The end result of abdominoplasty is worth the money and the effort. The results are also not merely short-lived cosmetic changes; they last for a long period of time. Exercise and a proper diet are two good ways of ensuring this longevity.
While the scar remains, it is not a major hindrance in anyway, except for its awkward appearance. The longer time required for recovery ensures that the scars are also considerably lighter over time.
Abdominoplasty is, therefore, a very reliable cosmetic surgical procedure that is guaranteed to produce the results you desire, as long as the ‘results you desire’ are based on information and advice given by your surgeon during the pre-procedural evaluation phase, and are therefore realistic.
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