Important!!

• Start walking the first night after surgery even if it is just a walk around the bed.
• Flex your leg calf muscles for 3 minutes every hour while awake. Avoid crossing or massaging your legs.
• Some drainage of blood is expected. This drainage may seem excessive, but actually is quite normal. Place a large plastic bag under old sheets for the first 48 hours. If you still have concerns, please call the office.
• Drink plenty of fluids (eight glasses of water the first 3 days after surgery).

1. Prescriptions:

• Use medications as prescribed. You may resume your pre-op medications, except aspirin and Motrin, which you should not take for one week after surgery.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages – beer and wine included – for 48 hours. They do not mix with anesthesia and may make you very sick. Also do not mix alcoholic beverages with pain pills.
• Do not do anything that requires any coordination for 48 hours after surgery and while you are taking pain medication. The medication and/or anesthetic agents may interfere with good judgment.
• DO NOT DRIVE FOR ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY.

2. You may drink liquids when you arrive home. By evening you may have a light meal. IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRINK PLENTY OF LIQUIDS TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION.

3. It is common to be cold after your surgery, so keep extra blankets nearby.

4. Rest in bed or in a comfortable chair with your legs elevated. Keep your legs up on at least two pillows, to keep the legs level with your heart. This prevents bleeding during the first days of healing and also keeps swelling down.

5. Bathing: You may have sponge baths only. Keep your garment and bandages dry until Dr. Andochick removes your garment and bandages, usually in 5-7 days.

6. The garment is important for liposuction. Wear the garment as instructed by Dr. Andochick.  Abdominal binders should be loosened periodically (three or four times a day) and then reapplied to avoid any wrinkling or creasing of the skin that may come from extended wear. All elastic garments should be worn 24 hours per day for four weeks, and then at night for an additional two weeks. See Dr. Andochick for special instructions.

7. Areas of firmness can develop in areas lipsuctioned. They resolve and soften with time, usually a few weeks to a few months. Massaging the firm areas will help soften the scar tissue and decrease sensitivity.

8. Areas that have undergone liposuction may be numb or tingly. The sensation will return to normal within a few weeks or months following the procedure.

9. You should not engage in any heavy lifting or strenuous activities or exercise for three weeks.

10. Do not smoke for one week after surgery as this affects healing.

11. Patients must not be left alone for 24 hours.

12. Do not apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the liposuction area. You will have a temporary loss of sensation and it is easy to obtain a skin burn.

13. Do not expose incision sites to sun without protection. Early sun exposure can result in reddening of the scar that may be permanent. After your incision has healed, always use sunblock for 6-12 months. You can begin to massage your incision sites to decrease the sensitivity and scar formation when permission is given by Dr. Andochick.