Liposuction After Care Instructions

General Post-Operative Instructions

It is important to read the general postoperative instruction sheet also. These plastic surgery postoperative instructions or cosmetic surgery postoperative instructions are meant to be as thorough and complete as possible. However please don’t hesitate to call for any questions or concerns!

1.) Call for any problems, concerns, or issues.

2.) Call for fevers over 101.5°, excessive bleeding, or excessive pain.

Diet:

Slowly advance diet as tolerated. Begin with liquids and light foods before progressing to a normal diet. Advancing too quickly can lead to nausea and vomiting. It is also good to have food in your stomach as this often helps with minimizing nausea with medications.

Medications:

You have been given prescriptions by Dr. Saunders and they should be taken as described on the bottles. In general, the antibiotic is a mandatory medication, and the other medications are as needed. The as needed medications are usually taken for pain, nausea, anxiety, and muscle spasms. Please take them as described on the bottle. You can begin the antibiotic when you get home. If your stomach is upset it is okay to start this the next morning.

Bandages and dressings:

It is normal to have some bloody drainage. This is typical after surgery. In general slightly wet bandages do not have to be changed and are best left alone. Dr. Saunders will address the appropriate care of the bandages on your postoperative visit. If you decide to change your bandage, please wash your hands thoroughly. Do not touch the incision or drain tube where it goes in the skin. Please use sterile gauze.

Activities:

Rest and relaxation are important after most operations. Dr. Saunders likes the mottos “slow and steady wins the race” and “the turtle wins the race.” Too much activity after surgery can be inappropriate. Shopping, cooking, laundry, and cleaning should be avoided until Dr. Saunders approves these activities. Most patients should rest on the couch or in bed. It is okay and good to get up and walk around your home or apartment. This is called early ambulation and minimizes risks of blood clots.

Restrictions:

Please no heating pads, electric blankets, or hot water bottles to any surgical site. Refrain from sexual activity until further notice.

Follow up care:

Dr. Saunders sees most patients the day after surgery for a postoperative visit. Liposuction and rhinoplasty patients might be seen the Monday after surgery instead of the next day. Patients, however, are always allowed to come in for a visit if desired. If Dr. Saunders is operating the day after surgery you will be instructed to call or text his cell phone. He or the nurses will answer the phone and set up a visit time. Plastic surgery is an art and exactly predicting a visit is not possible. By calling or texting back and forth we strive to minimize any wait in the office for a postoperative visit.

Dr Saunders’ Cell Number 302-584-8407 (texting preferred!!)

Postoperative Instructions: Liposuction

“Simple Yet Strict”

Recovering from facial surgery can be surprisingly easy. Follow the simple instructions provided by Dr. Saunders. Yet these instructions are strict. They should be followed closely. These instructions are based on decades of experience. Please follow the instructions carefully and maximize your chance of healing uneventfully! No smoking, nicotine patches or nicotine gum until further notice! This is extremely important!

Bandages:

The most modern type of liposuction techniques are done with tumescent fluid. This fluid leaks out in the postoperative period and is the cause of the bandages getting wet. They will be pink and bloody in appearance. It only takes one drop of blood to make an entire toilet bowl red. So do not be alarmed by the bloody appearance. The bandages are placed sterile at the time of surgery and in general do not need to be replaced. Like going to bed in a wet bathing suit, the bandages dry over 24 to 36 hours. If they are excessively wet, they can be changed the morning after surgery, reapplying gauze that can be purchased from most drugstores.

Garment:

The garment or girdle should be worn continuously until further notice. After your shower the garment or girdle can be washed and bleached. It is okay to be out of it during this washing process. Additional garments can be purchased in the office during postoperative visits.

Blood clot or DVT prevention:

Early ambulation is an important instruction to minimize blood clots in the legs. Early ambulation means getting up and walking around the house for approximately 10 min. at least six times a day. If there was thigh liposuction, make sure the garment or girdle is not tight and constrictive in any area, in particular above or below the knees. The garment should be smooth to avoid it bunching up and constricting in one location. Dr. Saunders recommends “the invisible bicycle” to minimize blood clot in the legs. Pump your legs like you are riding a bicycle to minimize blood clots. This can be done extremely frequently. Leg elevation is also important to minimize blood clots and to promote healing.

Medication:

The antibiotic is mandatory to take. If you are having problems with nausea and vomiting, it is usually the pain pill. Try and take Tylenol or Motrin as this is typically enough for the pain after liposuction.

Dr. Saunders’ cell phone 302-584-8407 ( texting preferred)