Surgery info
Recommendations for aftercare following plastic surgery operations
These recommendations can only be understood as a general guideline. They can never replace the individually necessary consultations with your surgeon. If you have any questions or uncertainties, please contact our practice or your surgeon.
Positioning
During the first few nights after the operation, it is advisable to sleep on your back with your upper body elevated. This allows the fluid that causes the swelling to drain more easily towards the heart. When lying down, the measuring point for the heart height is approximately at the rear edge of the pectoral muscle. The operated part of the body should be 6 – 8 cm higher.
Bandage
The bandage should remain unchanged until you return to our practice. You can shower immediately with the bandage on, but without soap on the bandage. After showering, carefully pat the dressing dry and blow dry.
It is usually not necessary to wear a bra after the operation. If we have recommended a bra, it should be worn day and night for the first month. After that, the bra only needs to be worn during the day.
Swelling and bruising
As with any surgical procedure, swelling and bruising may occur. They often reach their peak on the 2nd or 3rd day and disappear again in the course of 5-10 days. Light cooling reduces the swelling and makes it subside quickly. The optimal cooling temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. We recommend lymph drainage. Decongestant medication can have a supporting effect.
If the swelling or bruise is more severe (palpable bruise – change in shape – change in size), please contact us immediately.
Pain
After the operation, a feeling of pressure, slight pulling or burning may occur, but usually no severe pain. If you experience more severe pain, please contact us.
In case of pain, you can also take a mild painkiller (e.g. paracetamol for one to three days). Ibuprofen usually helps well against swelling and pain. However, it should not be used if you have a sensitive stomach or a tendency to heartburn. It is also a good idea to take an antacid (e.g. Pantozol) with it. Bromelain capsules or arnica beads D 30 are often used to relieve swelling.
Sensory disturbances
In the first few weeks after the operation, the feeling of the skin in the operated area may be altered. With the regeneration of the nerves, this usually recovers in a short time. You can support nerve regeneration by taking vitamin B complex.
Suture removal
If the skin is sutured with self-dissolving materials (intradermal suture), these remain in the skin, splinting it and thus leading to improved scar formation. The ends of the threads are cut under the skin after only a few days.
Scar care
The best scar treatment is a pressure treatment, which we will gladly explain to you. You should start with this about two weeks after the operation. In addition, it is a good idea to use a cream to keep the scar supple.
Special scar creams can also be used, but usually they don’t really do much good. A very good, but also costly scar aftercare can be done with silicone sheets. Scar treatment can be useful for up to a year.
Sun
In the weeks before and after the operation, it is advisable to avoid strong sun exposure with pre-tanning. On the other hand, maintaining a basic tan is usually not a problem. However, this depends very much on your skin type. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Activity
Targeted immobilisation is important for good wound healing. During the first period after the operation, all muscular exertion that disturbs the surgical area, such as making beds, hanging up laundry, etc., should be avoided. After about 3 weeks you can resume normal work. However, vigorous activities such as swimming, tennis, horseback riding, ballet, skiing or similar must be avoided for at least 5-8 weeks.
Positioning
During the first few nights after surgery, it is advisable to sleep on your back with your upper body elevated. This will help the fluid that causes the swelling to drain towards the heart.
Bandage
The bandage should remain unchanged until you return to our practice. You can shower with the dressing on immediately, but without soap on it. After showering, carefully pat the dressing dry and blow dry.
It is usually not necessary to wear a bra after the operation. If we have recommended a bra, it should be worn day and night for the first month. After that, the bra only needs to be worn during the day.
Swelling and bruising
As with any surgical procedure, swelling may occur. They reach their peak during the first few days and then disappear. Light cooling will reduce the swelling and make it go down quickly. The optimal cooling temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. We recommend lymph drainage. Decongestant medicines can have a supporting effect. Arnica pellets C 30 or bromelain are also often used to reduce the swelling.
Pain
After the operation, you may experience a feeling of pressure, slight pulling or burning, but usually no severe pain. If you experience more severe pain, please contact us. You can also take a mild painkiller (e.g. paracetamol 500 6-hourly for one to three days). Ibuprofen 3 x 400 (up to 800) mg usually helps well against swelling and pain. However, it should not be used if you have a sensitive stomach and a tendency to heartburn. It is also a good idea to take an antacid (e.g. ranitidine) with it.
Sensory disturbances
In the first few weeks after the operation, the feeling of the skin in the operated area may be altered. With the regeneration of the nerves, this usually recovers in a short time. You can support nerve regeneration by taking vitamin B complex, normal dosage, do not overdose.
Suture removal
If the skin is sutured with self-dissolving materials (intradermal suture), these remain in the skin, splinting it and thus leading to improved scar formation. The ends of the threads are cut under the skin after only a few days.
Scar care
The best scar treatment is a pressure treatment, which we will gladly explain to you. This should be started two to three weeks after the operation. In addition, the use of a cream is advisable. Special scar creams can be used, but usually a good skin care cream, such as a base cream, is sufficient. Under certain circumstances, the use of silicone sheets can also be useful. Scar treatment can be useful for up to one year.
Sun
In the first few weeks after the operation, it is advisable to avoid strong sun exposure. How to proceed then depends very much on your skin type. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Activity
During the first period after the operation, all muscular exertion that could disturb the operation area, such as making the bed, hanging up laundry, etc., should be avoided. After about 3 – 4 weeks you can resume normal work. However, more vigorous activities such as swimming, tennis, horseback riding, ballet, skiing or similar should be avoided for at least 5-8 weeks in the interest of good healing.
Positioning
During the first nights after the operation, it is advisable to sleep on your back and to keep your upper body slightly elevated.
Dressing
Large dressing changes have long been a thing of the past in facial plastic surgery. So you do not have to fear any inconvenience.
If you have been given a small plaster bandage, this can remain unchanged until you return to our practice. You can shower with the bandage on immediately, but without soap on the bandage. After showering, please dab the bandage carefully and blow dry.
When you return to our practice about a week later, the bandage will be removed and the stitches on the outside will have already been removed.
Swelling and bruising
As with any surgical procedure, swelling may occur. Swelling peaks in the first few days and then goes down again. Light cooling will reduce the swelling and make it go down quickly. The optimal cooling temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. We recommend lymph drainage. Decongestant medicines can have a supporting effect. Arnica pellets C 30 or bromelain are also often used to reduce swelling.
Your own activity – for example, taking a light relaxed walk – also has a positive effect on the swelling. However, when you get up for the first time after the operation, let our nursing staff give you the right assistance.
Despite careful haemostasis, there may be some oozing of blood in the wound. This is drained off via the drainage system during the first few days after the operation.
Itching – burning
After the operation, you may experience brief discomfort such as a feeling of pressure, slight pulling or burning, but usually no severe pain. If you experience more severe pain, please contact us.
In addition, you can take a mild painkiller (e.g. paracetamol 500 6-hourly for one to three days). Ibuprofen 3 x 400 (up to 800) mg usually helps well against swelling and pain. However, it should not be used if you have a sensitive stomach and a tendency to heartburn. It is also a good idea to take an antacid (e.g. ranitidine) with it.
Sensory disturbances
In the first few weeks after the operation, the feeling of the skin in the operated area may be altered. With the regeneration of the nerves, this usually recovers in a short time. You can support nerve regeneration by taking vitamin B complex, normal dosage, do not overdose.
Activity
During the first period after the operation, all muscular exertion that causes discomfort to the surgical area, such as making the bed, hanging up laundry, etc., should be avoided. After about three weeks you can return to normal work. However, vigorous activities such as swimming, tennis, horseback riding, ballet, skiing should be avoided for a while in the interest of good healing. We will be happy to advise you individually.
Suture removal
If the skin is sutured with self-dissolving materials (intradermal suture), these remain in the skin, splinting it and thus leading to improved scar formation. The ends of the threads that stick out of the skin are removed one week after the operation.
Scar care
The best scar treatment is a pressure treatment, which we will explain to you. This is started two to three weeks after the operation. In addition, it is a good idea to use a cream. Special scar creams can be used, but usually a good skin care cream, such as a base cream, is sufficient. Under certain circumstances, the use of silicone sheets can also be useful. Scar treatment can be useful for up to a year.
Washing the hair
In the case of operations such as facelifts, the hair is already washed during the operation. It is usually possible to shower or wash the hair very soon after facial surgery (after one to three days) without any problems.
Skin care
Cleansing wipes have proven to be effective for cleaning the face after the operation. It is advisable to wait one to two weeks before using cosmetic products. The sutures must be protected, especially during the first week. The surrounding skin can be treated carefully with a cream.
Sun
During the first weeks after the operation, it is advisable to avoid strong sunlight on the face. How to proceed then depends very much on your skin type. We will be happy to advise you on this.
The success of the operation depends to a large extent on the observance of these rules of conduct, as the sutures used to close the hernia or rectus diastasis could tear out in the event of overstraining.
Positioning
During the first nights after the operation, it is advisable to sleep on your back and to position your upper body and legs slightly elevated in order to relieve the abdominal wall. And it is good to make sure that there is little tension in the scar area. Depending on the feeling of tension, you can also adopt a gentle posture when standing or walking during the first few days.
Bandage
You can shower with the dressing on immediately, but do not put soap on the dressing. After showering, carefully dab the dressing dry and blow dry.
The bandage should remain unchanged until you return to our practice about a week later. The stitches on the outside of the bandage will be removed at this time.
Swelling and bruising
As with any surgical procedure, swelling may occur. They reach their peak during the first few days and then disappear. Light cooling will reduce the swelling and make it go down quickly. The optimal cooling temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius. We recommend lymph drainage. Decongestant medicines can have a supporting effect. Arnica pellets C 30 or bromelain are also often used against the swelling. Despite careful haemostasis, blood may seep into the wound. This is drained off during the first few days after the operation).
Itching – burning
The operation does not always involve only a tightening of the abdominal skin, but also a tightening of the abdominal muscles in the interest of a better long-term result and better functional outcome. This explains any short-term discomfort that may occur. After an abdominoplasty, a feeling of pressure, slight pulling or burning may occur, but usually no severe pain. If you experience more severe pain, please contact us.
In addition, you can take a mild painkiller (e.g. paracetamol 500 6-hourly for one to three days). Ibuprofen 3 x 400 (up to 800) mg usually helps well against swelling and pain. However, it should not be used if you have a sensitive stomach and a tendency to heartburn. It is also a good idea to take an antacid (e.g. ranitidine) with it.
Problems with defecation
As with any sudden restriction of mobility, the bowel can react to bed rest after surgery with sluggishness. In addition, the bowel has to get used to the narrower space in the abdominal cavity. Please avoid pressing too hard. The operation scars are only fully resilient after 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, make sure you have regular soft bowel movements by drinking plenty of fluids and exercising.
Thrombosis prevention
Your circulation is not used to the sudden forced rest in bed after the operation. The blood flows more slowly, especially in the leg and pelvic veins, which can lead to small blood clots in the vessels, known as thrombosis. To counteract this danger, you will be given support stockings the morning before the operation, which you should wear for your own safety until you are fully mobile again. As a second important preventive measure, you will receive medication (thrombosis prophylaxis – “thrombosis injection”) to counteract the occurrence of blood clots. Last but not least, your own activity is also important: the sooner your circulation gets going again and your legs move the blood back more quickly when you walk, the more certain it is that a thrombosis can be avoided. However, when you get up for the first time – on the first post-operative day at the latest – let our nursing staff give you the right assistance.
Sensory disturbances
In the first weeks after the operation, the feeling of the skin in the operated area may be altered. With the regeneration of the nerves, this usually recovers in a short time. You can support nerve regeneration by taking vitamin B complex, normal dosage, do not overdose.
Scar care
The best scar treatment is a pressure treatment, which we will gladly explain to you. You should start with this two to three weeks after the operation.
In addition, the use of a cream is advisable. Special scar creams can be used, but usually a good skin care cream, such as a base cream, is sufficient. Under certain circumstances, the use of silicone sheets can also be useful. Scar treatment can be useful for up to one year.
Sun
In the first few weeks after the operation, it may be a good idea to avoid exposing the scars to strong sunlight. How to proceed then depends very much on your skin type. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Activity
During the first period after the operation, all muscular exertion that disturbs the surgical area, such as making beds, hanging up laundry, etc., should be avoided. After about 3 – 4 weeks you can resume normal work. However, vigorous activities such as swimming, tennis, horseback riding, ballet, skiing should be avoided for at least 6-8 weeks in the interest of good healing.
In the first week:
Relieve the abdominal wall and gradually straighten up until you can walk straight again. Avoid climbing stairs as much as possible, but keep moving overall, for example, go for a slow walk. Climbing stairs is much easier and the abdominal wall is less strained if you walk backwards when going up stairs – downwards normally. .
First to sixth week:
Do not strain the abdominal wall as much as possible. Please wear a light girdle or body. The girdle does not give the abdominal wall any real additional stability, but provides light support and improves internal and external scarring.
Seventh to twelfth week:
Slowly increase the load when lifting.
From the thirteenth week:
No more restrictions.
The success of the operation depends to a large extent on the observance of these rules of conduct, as the sutures used to close the hernia or rectus diastasis could tear out in the event of overloading.
We wish you a perfect healing process!