Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery

Tummy Tuck plastic surgery, center for surgical excellence saint petersburg, florida.

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Cosmetic Plastic Surgery FAQ

Plastic Surgery questions and answers are provided here for patients of Robert D. Rehnke, MD. The center for surgical excellence is convieniently located in St. petersbrug, Florida and is part of the Greater Tampa Bay Area.

 
Additional Surgery
May be required if you incur complications, which will cost more in most cases.

Age
Older patients may have decreased elasticity in their skin, thus, may not obtain the same outcome as their younger counterpart whom will most likely have tighter skin.

Alcohol
Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase post operative bleeding.  Please do not drink until you have stopped taking the prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous.

Allergy/Sensitivity to Dressings or Tape
Occasionally allergic or sensitivity reactions may occur from soaps, ointments, tape or sutures used during or after surgery. Such problems are unusual and are mild and easily treated. In extremely rare circumstances, allergic reactions can be severe and require aggressive treatment or even hospitalization.

Anesthesia
The are two kinds, local with twilight sleep so you won't remember and general, which puts you completely under, in which case some doctors place a tube down your throat.

Antibiotics
May be used to deter infection after surgery.

Anti-Nausea Medicine
Is available, including Zofran and Scopolamine, a patch you wear the night before. Ask your doctor. (Here is a tip on the meds if you are getting sick: take the pain pill and cut it in half - if you are taking one pill every 4 to 6 hours take 1/2 pill every 2 to 3 hours).

Arnica Montana
We find that most doctors advise against using this.

Aspirin
Do not take two weeks before or two weeks after as it can cause bleeding.

Asymmetry
It is not always possible to obtain total symmetry when bilateral procedures are performed.  Very few people are totally symmetrical prior to the procedure.  If a significant difference is visible following healing, a secondary “touch up” procedure may be indicated to minimize such feelings.

Botox
Botox is injected into the muscle which blocks the chemical allowing the muscle to move. May need to repeat in 3-4 months.  Some bruising may occur after injection.

Breathing Tube
Used with general anesthesia. May make your throat sore for a few days.  Gargle with warm salt water  to decrease discomfort.

Bruising
Bruising can be expected.   Use ice pack or frozen peas to decrease bruising/swelling

Crusting Along the Incision Lines
We usually treat this with antibiotic ointment

Diet
If you have any postoperative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach.  If nausea is severe, use the Phenergan  suppository.  If you feel normal, start with liquids and bland  foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet.

Discomfort and Pain
Mild to moderate discomfort or pain is normal after any surgery. If the pain becomes severe and is not relieved by pain medication please call us at (727-341-0337).

Dressings
Keep your dressings as clean and dry as possible.  May remove after 48 hours unlessInstructed otherwise.

Driving
Please don’t drive for at least 2 days after general anesthesia or intravenous sedation or while taking prescription pain pills.

Garlic Pills
Do not take two weeks before or two weeks after as it may cause bleeding.

General Anesthesia
You are completely asleep. An anesthesiologist  will administer  General anesthesia. You may be assisted to breath with a breathing tube (ET tube).

Hematoma
Is a small collection  of blood under the skin usually allowed to absorb spontaneously. Larger hematomas may require aspiration, drainage, or even surgical removal to achieve the best result. To avoid, don't push yourself into doing things you shouldn't be. That's why you are not supposed to play tennis, golf, lift, etc. for 3-6 weeks after. Using common sense, you will be able to determine what you can and can't do.

Ibuprofen
Not recommended two weeks before or two weeks after as it can cause bleeding, however, some doctors says it's ok.

Inflammation and Infection
A superficial infection may require antibiotic ointment. Development of an abscess usually requires drainage.

Injury to Deeper Structures
Blood vessels, nerves and muscles may be injured during surgery.  The incidence is rare.

Itching
Itching and occasional small shooting electrical sensations within the skin frequently occur as the nerve endings heal. Ice, skin moisturizers, and massages are frequently helpful. These symptoms are common during the recovery period.

Keloids
Are a very specific type of pathological scar that occurs mainly on individuals with genetic origins in Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southern Asia, but even then, they are not common.

Local Anesthesia
Patients rarely experience nausea post op. Generally used for short procedures and is very safe. May be used with intravenous sedation (aka, twilight sleep) which will help you relax further. You need an IV in your arm to administer the  drug, and you are sleeping within seconds of administration. 

Multiple Surgeries
May be planned for the same day. Recovery may be longer, but you will only have to go under anesthesia once.

Nausea
Is a common side effect of the pain killers. Try taking on a full stomach. See "Anti-Nausea Medicine" above.

Numbness
Small sensory nerves to the skin surface are usually cut when the incision is made or interrupted by undermining of the skin during the surgery.  The sensation in those areas gradually returns- usually within 2 or 3 months as the  nerve endings heal spontaneously.

Pain
Pain medication is taken every 4-6 hrs. post op.  We recommend eating crackers or applesauce prior to taking your pain medication as it may cause an upset stomach

Physical Activity
Activities such as mopping, vacuuming, pushing, pulling and lifting should be avoided for the first 2-3 weeks.  You should be able to return to sports such as tennis and golf in 4 to 6 weeks.

Poor Results
Asymmetry, unhappiness with the result, poor  healing ,etc may occur.  Minimal differences are usually acceptable. Larger differences frequently require revisional surgery. Most common reasons: capsular contractures in breast implants; early recurrent breast sagging in mastopexy; poor scars or “dog ears”- loose skin in abdominoplasty.

Post Operative Appointment
It is very important that you follow the schedule of appointments we establish after surgery.

Recovery Time
You must have someone with you for the first 24 hours, if not longer. If possible, allow yourself a week or two off from work, more if your work requires physical activity. If you have young children, have someone help you for a week or more.

Rednesss of Scars
All new scars are red, dark pink, or purple. Scars on the face usually fade within 3 to 6 months. Scars on the breasts or body may take a year or longer to fade completely.  May advise patients to use kelocote gel to decrease appearance

Sodium
Please avoid canned soups, canned vegetables, frozen prepared foods, Chinese foods, Gatorade (Propel is a better choice) as these are very high in sodium, causing fluid retention and swelling.

Smoking
Nicotine and carbon monoxide is known to inhibit recover time, increases the risk of pulmonary complications and can impede wound healing, which may decrease the quality of surgical results. 40% of surgeons require patients to quit for two weeks.
 
Surgery Time
Varies depending on the procedure and type of anesthesia and number of procedures.

Swelling
You will experience swelling after surgery.  Apply an ice pack or frozen bag of peas to affected area (20min on and 20min off)

Viagra
Do not take 48 hrs before and after surgery

Vitamin E
Is rumored to help in healing scars. However, it may cause bleeding so don't take 2 weeks before & after.

Wound Separation or Delayed healing
Any incision, during the healing phase, may separate or heal unusually slow for a number of reasons. These include inflammation, infection, wound tension, decreased circulation, smoking or excess external pressure.  If delayed healing occurs, the final outcome is usually not significantly affected, but secondary revision of the scar may be indicated.

Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery Plastic Surgery Center

body contouring

The Center For Surgical Excellence, 6606 10th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 · (727) 341-0337