| As many people may already know, it is extremely | | | | medications are complete. |
| hazardous to drive after intravenous sedation or | | | | Your plastic surgeon will place an elastic pressure |
| general anesthesia. Make sure to arrange for a | | | | garment around your abdomen and that should remain |
| responsible adult to be able to drive you home and | | | | on at all times until your surgeon instructs you to |
| stay with you after for at least 24 hours. The effects | | | | remove it. You will need to take sponge baths to avoid |
| of the anesthesia are capable of remaining in your | | | | getting this garment wet. Before you leave from your |
| body for as long as 24 hours. You must plan on | | | | plastic surgeon's clinic, you will be instructed on how to |
| resting for up to 24 hours after surgery. | | | | empty and care for the drain that you will likely see |
| The position in which you sleep may not seem | | | | emerging from under your dressing. This will usually be |
| important, but it is vital to your recovery. Most positions | | | | removed when the drainage is less than 40 cc per 24 |
| will be uncomfortable, so you are advised to try | | | | hours - this usually takes four or five days. |
| sleeping on your back. After the surgery you may | | | | You are able to take a normal shower daily after your |
| partake of liquids such as soft drinks, soup, or tea. | | | | bandages and drain are removed. The day after your |
| After this you can gradually progress to a soft food | | | | surgery, you are advised to get out of bed and walk |
| diet and then eventually a regular diet over the next 24 | | | | around your house. You should do this several times a |
| hours. | | | | day and increase your activity level as tolerated. |
| Take your post-operative medications and fill your | | | | About two weeks after surgery you may walk and |
| prescriptions as directed. If you should become | | | | swim longer distances, but you should still avoid |
| nauseated or develop a rash, you are advised to | | | | strenuous exercise for six weeks. Also you need to |
| contact your plastic surgeon's office. Unless your | | | | avoid "sit-ups" for at least two months. |
| surgeon advises otherwise, you may resume your | | | | It's normal to have swelling and bruising of the surgical |
| regular medications at this time. However, most | | | | area. This will improve over the next few weeks. |
| surgeons advise that you avoid aspirin and any | | | | However, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, or |
| product that contains aspirin for about two weeks | | | | unusual pain in the operated area, especially on one |
| before and after your procedure. You will also be | | | | side, should be called to the attention of your cosmetic |
| advised to avoid alcohol until post operative | | | | surgeon immediately. |