Body lifts are almost exclusively done in the bariatric surgery patient who has undergone massive weight loss. (> 100 lbs) A body lift is a combined frontal tummy tuck and a posterior buttock lift with a resultant 360 degree (circumferential) scar. While good care after a body lift is not hard, the need for management of several drains can be challenging.
1. Body lifts usually have only a moderate amount of postoperative discomfort as only skin and fat have been removed and no muscle work is usually done. In addition to taking your pain medication, avoid bending over too far forward as this will stretch and put pressure on the back incision.
2. You will have as many as four (4) drains coming out of the pubic and back area after surgery. They will be removed when the drainage is sufficiently low. As a general rule, I do not worry about measuring how much comes ouot of the drains as I do not remove them in body lifts for a full two weeks after surgery.
3. Feel free to walk around beginning the day after surgery. This will help keep the circulation going in our calfs to prevent blood clots and will help you breather deeper to prevent a lung infection.Do as you feel comfortable. You will definitely tire much more easily than you will expect and will do so for up to 6 weeks after surgery. It's a big surgery so expect somewhat of a big recovery in terms of getting back to feeling normal.
4. You may take a shower on the 2nd day after surgery. Do not worry about getting the drains or tapes wet. Do not take a bath or get in a jacuzzi until you are well out from having your drains removed. (at least 3 weeks after surgery)
5. Tapes are usually placed across the abdominal and back incisions. They should be left in place and do not require any care. They will be removed within the first two weeks after surgery.
6. You are to continue wearing your circumferential binder for 2 weeks or more after surgery.
As these binders have a tendency to ride up, it is important to keep them repositioned low over the hips so some pressure can be maintained over the incision site.
7. Numbness of the abdominal and back skin is to be expected and complete return of feeling may take up to 6 months after surgery. During this period, exposure to heat (e.g., hot tubs, heating pads) should be done with this consideration in mind to avoid potential burn injuries.
8. Avoid exercise and heavy lifting for 6 weeks after surgery. Abdominal stress and abdominal specific exercises can be resumed 8 weeks after surgery.
9. You may drive when you feel comfortable and can react normally and are off pain medication. Driving is all about whether you are safe to yourself and others on the road.
10. It is not rare to have some small openings along your extensive incision line which develops several weeks after surgery. This is either sutures which are coming to the surface or small areas that have slightly separated due to tension and movement on the wound.
Simply keep them covered with antibiotic ointment and a dressing and they will go on to
heal on their own. It is ok to get them wet in the shower.
Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana at Clarian Health Systems. (http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com) He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com |
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