Tummy Tuck London / Abdominoplasty
Aftercare

You should arrange for someone to drive you home from hospital and to stay with you for the first night following your discharge from hospital.

You will experience mild to moderate discomfort after your surgery and it is recommended that you take Paracetamol on a regular basis for the first week. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPIRIN as this may cause bleeding in the early post operative period.

There may be considerable bruising following surgery, but this should settle in the first two or three weeks. You will notice the skin of your tummy may be a bit numb. This area of impaired sensation will gradually improve over the coming months.

Initially mobilisation is slow. It is advised to stay in a stooped position until it is comfortable for you stand up right. Sometimes you will find it more comfortable when you lie in bed to have your legs supported on a couple of pillows beneath the knees. It is important that you do not just lie in bed for protracted periods.

You should avoid getting the wounds or dressings wet for the first week.

You will probably be required to come in one week post operatively to be seen for dressing removal and to inspect your wound. If the wound is healing well you may recommence bathing. If the wounds are still a little moist after one week they will be redressed and an appointment given to revisit in a week’s time.

You may commence driving three weeks after your operation but should not drive if you are unable to perform emergency maneuvers confidently and comfortably.

You should refrain from smoking for as long possible as it reduces blood flow to healing tissues causing wound breakdown.

The scar will take time to mature.

By week six you should commence moisturising and massaging the scar, the aim being to soften the scar and speed up final scar maturation.

Please contact us immediately if there are any problems such as:

1. Temperature greater than 38.5°
2. Severe pain not alleviated by simple painkillers
3. Fresh bleeding from the wound, other than a minor ooze
4. Any wound discharge after 48 hours

If you have any queries, questions or concerns regarding your procedure or recovery please feel free to contact us.