Is it ok to take NSAIDS after a tummy tuck 1 week post op?

Thank you for your question.  I recommend to all my patients no NSAIDS or anything that can thin the blood.  I recommend just taking Tylenol when able to get off pain medication.  I would recommend you contact your surgeon and follow their protocol.  Best of luck to you. 

This is something you need to talk to your own surgeon about. There are many different thoughts on this subject. I encourage my patients to take NSAIDs and Tylenol after abdominoplasty surgery, and only add narcotics as needed.

Dear Amy Lo,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

NSAIDS could cause extra bleeding and should not be taken within 2 weeks of your surgery.  Be sure to contact your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with any concerns regarding you pain and swelling.

This question needs to be answered by your surgeon. She/He is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery. Typically when your pain is managed to the point you no longer need narcotics acetaminophen (Tylenol) is advised. NSAIDS can cause issues with bleeding.

Thank you for your question. I recommend discussing this with your plastic surgeon. Every surgeon  has their own thought process on this. I allow all my patients to use NSAIDs immediately after surgery but some believe it may increase bleeding. Best of luck with your recovery. 

if often used by many surgeons but not all... so ask your surgeon when you can start using it as it will help you get off the narcotics and avoid the side effects that come from narcotic us.  In my practice, if they have made it through the night without any problems, NSAID's can then be started.

Thank you for your question. Every surgeon has different post-op protocol so first and foremost I would recommend calling their office, or checking post-op instruction paperwork they gave you. I typically recommend my patients wait a week after surgery before taking any blood thinners, and if they are prescribed a blood thinner like Lovenox which is common in tummy tucks, ensure they take no blood thinners until they are finished with their script. It is very normal to be swollen after surgery. As far as the "squishy" characteristic that is a harder question to answer. You would need to be examined physically as this could be normal, but there could also be a seroma present that needs to be aspirated. Between the two concerns, I would recommend calling your Board Certified PS for further instruction. Good luck and best wishes!

Once the blood clots have formed, the NSAIDs do not affect them. I use a completely non-narcotic post-operative pain regimen that includes 800mg Ibuprofen starting immediately after surgery and have had zero bleeding complications with this. Having said that, your surgeon may have a specific reason that you should hold off so you should absolutely check with your surgeon.