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CICATRIX * OPTIMA 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364 WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6 TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971 |
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Post Operative Instructions Wound Care Keep all bandages dry and do not remove them until advised by our office.
You may find that you become dizzy or lightheaded when changing position. In addition you will be sore. You should move slowly and with caution until this feeling passes. Please call us if you experience severe pain and swelling.
Wear your support garment continually for the first four weeks, except while showering. Thereafter, it may be taken off at night for the next four weeks.
We will show you how to milk your drains. Do this every two to four waking hours. Empty the drain bulbs every eight hours and record the volume of fluid collected.
It is not uncommon to have a moderate amount of bloody drainage after this procedure and you may wish to protect your bed linens. If there is oozing of blood onto the dressings, place sanitary or gauze pads under garment in that area.
You may apply ice (or a small package of frozen peas or carrots) intermittently for comfort and to decrease the bruising and swelling. Do not apply the ice directly on to the operative site.
Prolonged external bleeding is easily detected. Blood may seep through the incision and may leak through the dressing. It may be either active bleeding or an accumulation of fluid coming out. You may experience acute swelling of the area, discolouration of the skin, pain and a feeling of tension. If you experience these symptoms, please contact us. If it continues, the surgeon may have to stop it after reopening the incision.
Bruising and discolouration are to be expected. This will mostly disappear in approximately 2 to 4 weeks. You may find, due to swelling following surgery, that you appear larger than before surgery. Skin tightening begins about 4 weeks after surgery and continue slowly up to one year. A feeling of tightness in your abdominal wall may persist for several weeks. This is a natural result of removal of excess tissue and will resolve with time.
You may experience some numbness and tingling in the skin over the areas that have been operated on. This will also resolve with time.
Once your incision is completely healed, we ask that you cover it with surgical paper tape for a period of 3 months. This will help to support the scar and keep it flat. You do not have to remove the tape on a daily basis, as it may tear your skin. Replace it only when it comes off on its own.
Medications:
Getting your life back to normal
When in bed, lie comfortably. Using several extra pillows under your head and knees will decrease the tension you feel in your abdominal area. It is okay to lie on your side is this is comfortable. In other words, sleep and rest in whatever position is comfortable for you.
You may shower with your drains in place but do not bathe until your drains are removed. You may sponge bath. After the drains are removed, shower as often as you wish but do not bathe until advised (generally 3-4 weeks). The action of the shower water over your incision will keep it clean and studies show that people who shower often post operatively have a significantly decreased infection rate. However, do not soak your incisions.
We encourage you to start walking almost immediately after your surgery to diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs, as a result of immobilization from the anaesthetic. Even while you are resting, you should be moving your feet and ankles frequently to promote circulation in your legs. In our experience, this will help you will recover much faster, and with fewer complications.
Drink regularly and as much as you can. It is important that you stay well hydrated. In addition to a healthy diet, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day for the first week following your surgery.
Do not drink any alcohol during the first two weeks.
Social and sexual activity should be limited for approximately one month.
Lifting of objects greater than 5 kg should be avoided for 6 weeks. Strenuous aerobic activity can be resumed at approximately 4 weeks post operatively.
By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop.
Do not smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
You can call us with any further questions you may have. |
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