What should I be doing as part of post-Tummy Tuck care (like showering, compression garment use, washing the binder, changing wound dressing, etc.)?
This is something that is very MD specific. You should really talk with your doctor. I ahve patients wear an abdominal binder for 3-6 weeks. If they have drains, then they can not shower. They can only sponge bathe until they are removed. I usually do not let patients run or exercise for 4-6 weeks. Situps and weight lifting should be avoided for at least 6 or more weeks.
Plastic surgery is an elective medical specialty where patients are not sick and physicians should do everything in their power to keep them that way. In my practice, we have many layers of education for each treatment and surgery. Finally, the buck stops with me.
In other words, call your doctor and have him/her help with your care.
Robert Freund, MD, FACS
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