What type of equipment is needed after tummy tuck?

Most of our patients find it comfortable to sleep in a recliner for the first two weeks after TT. Our nurses fit our patients for a binder before surgery when they perform their pre op education visit. During this session, our nurses prepare our patients for what to do before and expect after surgery. Ask your surgeon for an information session like this prior to surgery so that you are well educated about and prepared for your recovery.

Every surgeon has their own recommendations about tummy tuck recovery, and in my practice patients do not have to get any special equipment. The compression garment or binder is provided and we place it on the patient at the end of the surgery to make sure the fit is right. 

Every surgeon has his or her protocol. I have the patients stay in a recliner initially, or if this is not possible then wedge pillows under the upper body and a pillow under the knees to keep the hips flexed. I send them home with  pneumatic leg compression garments and an incentive spirometer for lung exercises. Occasionally, I provide them with a walker for the first week. We also measure them for a compression garment preoperatively, since I do circumferential liposuction with my tummy tucks. This is crotchless. Discuss your concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.!

This is something you should check with your surgeon as many will provide garments that you will go home in. I provide my patients with their binder and also have them wear pneumatic sleeve leggings (TED stockings). A recliner may be comfortable for sleeping as the knees should be elevated, but pillows work fine. A walker is not necessary, you will most likely be walking hunched over for the first week or 10 days. I require my patients to have a caregiver (friend or family member) stay with them the first 24 hours. You may be groggy after anesthesia and need assistance to get up and go to the bathroom. I want my patients to ambulate every hour that they are awake. However, again I recommend that you discuss this with your surgeon. Good luck!

There are two categories of equipment that you should look at as part of your tummy tuck:(1)  Equipment You Will Obtain -- This includes perhaps a recliner or sufficient pillows to support your legs and back.  Perhaps setting your self up on a ground-level floor so as to avoid climbing stairs is helpful, since your balance will be altered while you are bent over during your recovery.  I have my patients stock up on such things as protein shakes for extra nutrition, which is required after tummy tuck (You need almost 500 calories more than normal to heal properly).(2)  I send my patients home with calf-squeezers (Portable SCD's) to help decrease the risk of blood clots.  If your surgeon does not, an not all do, you can contact Compression Solutions at 303-619-9291 to obtain these.  A walker is not usually required, though on occasion, especially with older patients it might be helpfull.

Dear Nogirl72,Thank you for your questions.The following are my personal instructions. Specifics, additions or deletions may vary depending on your surgeons preferences. I will break it down into three peri operative time periods:I. Preoperativea. Month before    1) start iron pill 325 mgm (over the counter) a day (builds up blood). May turn stools        black and cause constipation.    2) start multivitamin (provides nutrients for healing) no mega E can cause bleeding.    3) stop any hormonal birth control (increase risk of blood clots).    4) stop any over the counter supplements (can cause unknown problems).    5) if you have had Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) start on 100 grams of protein        per day.    6)stop smoking. No exceptions.    7)if over age 45 or medical issues our surgery center recommends a preoperative        clearance with basic labatory data.b. Two weeks before     1) if over age 45 or medical issues provide  preoperative clearance letter with  labatory         data for your surgeon.      2) visit with your Plastic Surgeon who will provide prescriptions (for before and after         surgery), counseling and educational materials. Discuss what medications are ok to          continue or stop. Bring list  of questions.      3) stop shaving around pubic area (razor blade shaving causes small cuts that can         harbor bacteria and increase infection rate).      4) NO aspirin, Alleve, Motrin (can interfere with normal clotting) use only plain        Tylenol (will not interfere with normal clotting) or pain medication prescribed by your          Plastic Surgeon.      5) make arrangements for drop off, pickup and child care.c. Day before      1)have precscriptions filled.       2)bed, recliner, pillows, foam wedges etc ready.       3)make sure you location of surgicenter, see if you can obtain any of Surgicenters           required preoperative paperwork to fill out prior to arriving on the day of surgery.       4)call surgicenter for you expected time of arrival       5) have or purchase bell to wring if you need assistance after surgery.                       d. Night before       1)make out a list of any "last minute" questions, your needs, wants, desires and           expectations of the surgery.        2)I have my patients complete a preoperative ennema (decreases fecal load)            for postoperative constipation (from pain meds) and potentially reduces risk of            blood clots (hard stool pressing on intra abdominal viens during tightening of the            muscles).         3)take a shower with antiseptic solution and scrub entire body well.         4) no alcohol containing drinks.         5) nothing by mouth after midnight or 8 hours prior to surgery (unless instructed so             by surgicenter).II Operative day        1)awake and take second shower and scrub the surgical area        2)check your list (bring model photos demonstrating your desires).        3)place anti nausea patch behind ear (prevents nausea).        4)take all necessary medications with sips of water.        5)if anxiety may take 5 mgm of Valium with a sip of water.        6)remove all piercings, jewelry, "booby pins" from hair and body.        7) no make up and remove nail polish (intraoperative monitoring).        8) button down or zipper blouse/shirt, sweat pants or stretchable pants.        9)go over your list with Plastic Surgeon and Anesthesia provider.        10) reaffirm  with surgicenter when your postoperative care provider should be at             the  surgicenter for postoperative education and instructions.         11) ask to have deep vien precautions (DVT).  I personally give 5,000 units heparin,            TED hose, and sequential compression device (before, during and after surgery).III Postoperativea) immediate         1) communicate with your recovery room nurse (pain, nausea, etc).         2) do what you are asked to do.         3) I provide a abdominal binder (check with your surgeon for their preference).b) discharge          1) anti DVT program: leg/foot exercises, TED hose, and (I send home with)           portable SCD device to be used for two weeks after surgery. Get out of bed and            walk around house every 1-2 hours while not sleeping. Leave SCD on while            sleeping or resting for next two weeks.           2)incentive spirometer every hour after surgery (improves breathing after general            anesthesia.           3) if drains used measuring cup and chart for recording out put as directed.           4)Foley catheter: I personally send home with and have patient remove 6 hours             after surgery (some patients develop urinary retention while general anesthesia            wears off  and will require re-cathederazation.             5) walking in haunched  over position. I provide a walker for my patients.            6) bed position "lazy boy" postion (use recliner, hospital bed or pillows/foam                wedges).            6) diet progressive to prevent nausea: clear liquids (gatoraide, broth, tea) for first               8 hours, liquid diet next 8 hours (soups,pudding,yogurt), soft diet for next 8               hours (well cooked oatmeal or pasta) after 24 hours regular diet.               Start stool softeners and anti constipation program.                        7)Pain management: I personally inject long acting local pain reducers into the               surgical area and provide a postoperative non narcotic pain reliever that lasts               several days. It is ok to start using aspirin, Alleve, Motrin after surgery and               alternate with oral narcotics. Do not take pain medications on a empty stomach.               Crackers before and after medications (to prevent nausea and upset stomach).                 I trust you have chosen  a experienced Plastic Surgeon who is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).My best wishes,