What to Expect When Having an Abdominoplasty

Anesthesia: General. You will sleep through the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: A full abdominoplaty lasts 2-4 hours while a mini lasts 90 minutes.

Length of Stay: Most abdominoplasty surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. In some cases, an overnight stay is recommended due to age, predisposing medical issues, pain control, nausea or other considerations.

Discomfort: Any discomfort should be relieved by pain medication and a muscle relaxant. A special pain pump device will be placed to decrease initial post-op pain, which will last roughly 72 hours. This pump is not used for mini-abdominoplasties. (See the enclosed brochure on the Stryker Pain Pump). The pump can be removed by the patient once empty, or is removed in the office by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff.

Swelling and Bruising: Most bruising will resolve within 2-3 weeks, particularly if liposuction was also performed. Swelling may persist for up to 3 months. Using a hand-held massager will help resolve the swelling once the bruising has faded.

Numbness: Numbness of the abdomen is normal and may persist for up to 6 months. Some residual numbness may be permanent.

Drains: In a full abdominoplasty, two drains are used, while for a mini, usually only one. The first drain is removed 2-3 days after surgery and the second drain at 7-10 days after surgery. For a mini, the drain is removed in 5-7 days. A detailed drain care and log sheet are enclosed. Drains are removed in the office by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff.

Bandages/Garments: The initial dressings will be removed 1-3 days after surgery. Until then, only sponge baths are permitted. Once the dressings are removed, showers are permitted even with the drains and pain pump. Hang them from a long string tied around your neck. The initial girdle is to be worn day and night for the first two weeks. Remove it only when showering, to go to the bathroom or to wash it. After the second week, a panty girdle should be worn during the day for an additional 4 weeks. Tub baths or hot tubs are prohibited until allowed by Dr. Hainer.

Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable and are covered initially by paper steri-strips or dermabond glue.

Work: Off work time is typically 10-14 days unless work entails manual activity. Driving may resume usually within a week or when prescription pain medications are no longer being used.

Exercise: Strenuous activities that would stress the abdominal muscle repair are avoided for 6 weeks. At 6 weeks all activities are permitted. Light activities can start 2 weeks after surgery or when both drains have been removed.

Sun Protection: Scars should be protected from sun exposure for 1 year with at lest sunscreen SPF 15 to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Results are obvious immediately. They will be near complete by 3 months, with final scar quality reached at 1 year.

Special Care: The belly button is to be cleaned once daily with a peroxide-soaked Q-tip and covered with antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or Bacitracin) the first 2 weeks.

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you smoke, it must be ceased 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery for adequate healing.

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