Postoperative care for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) typically includes:
1. Pain management: Patients may experience discomfort or pain after the procedure, and their surgeon may prescribe pain medication to alleviate this.
2. Wound care: The surgeon will instruct the patient on how to care for their incision sites to prevent infection and promote healing.
3. Swelling and Bruising: Some swelling and bruising is normal after a tummy tuck, but this should gradually subside over the first few weeks to months after the procedure.
4. Activity restrictions: The patient should avoid strenuous physical activity for several weeks after the procedure, to allow the incisions to heal and to reduce the risk of complications.
5. Drain care: If the surgeon placed drains in the surgical area, the patient will be instructed on how to properly care for these and when to remove them.
6. Follow-up appointments: The patient will have several follow-up appointments with their surgeon to monitor their progress and ensure proper healing.
It is important to follow all instructions given by the surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome.