Thighplasty / Armplasty (Brachioplasty) Instructions Following Surgery
Immediately After Surgery
- Rest quietly in bed after surgery for 48 hours. You may get up to go to the toilet and sponge wash only.
- Your arms or inner/outer thigh and buttocks will be taped firmly for 2 – 3 days following surgery.
- The nurse will need to remove the dressing, clean the sutures (stitches) and replace the steri-strips. You will be instructed how to do this by yourself, daily after a shower for the following four weeks.
- Ice packs should be applied to the incision line for the first 48 hours, then intermittently for one week. Frozen peas are a good alternative.
- You will need to wear tight cycle shorts for support for the next six weeks.
- Stay in the company of a responsible adult for the first 24 hours.
- You may feel some pain and/or pressure. This varies from person to person and will gradually subside. The medication your doctor prescribes for pain will help.
- Expect to feel tired for 7 – 10 days after surgery, especially after anaesthetics.
- Get adequate rest, in order not to increase blood pressure and prevent bleeding, decrease swelling and bruising.
- No alcohol for two weeks, if possible, as it increases swelling; or have only in moderation.
Pain And Medications
- Stay in the company of a responsible adult for the first 24 hours.
- For pain, take Panadeine Forte, one to two tablets every four to six hours (not more than eight per day). This will be prescribed by the Anaesthetist after surgery. If pain persists and cannot be relieved with the prescribed medication, please call the Clinic immediately.
- Call the Clinic if one side becomes more painful or swollen.
- No driving or operating machinery after an anaesthetic or while on medications for pain.
- Do not make any legal decisions while under the influence of medications or immediately after surgery.
- Do not take Aspirin, Vitamin E, Anti-inflammatory medication or any medication containing Aspirin or Vitamin E for at least two weeks after surgery as this increases bleeding.
- No smoking for at least two weeks after surgery to prevent coughing and possible bleeding and infection.
- Commence hormone replacement therapy after discussing this with the doctor.
Wound Care
- Do not get surgical area wet until instructed by nurse. Have a sponge bath instead of a shower.
- Shower fully after 3 - 4 days when the bandages are removed and you have been instructed how to clean the wound.
- Immediately after showering, your suture lines should be cleaned with saline solution applied with cotton buds.
- Pat dry with gauze, then apply prescribed antibiotic ointment. It is normal to have a small amount of ooze for the first few days.
- Tape incision lines as instructed with wide steri-strips.
- Cover with gauze or Melolin and tape firmly.
- Sutures (stitches) will dissolve and will be trimmed in the Clinic, 10 - 14 days after surgery.
Blisters
- If blisters appear where tape rubs on the skin, clean with saline and apply antibiotic ointment.
- Note: it is best to leave the tape off for 1 – 2 days if the skin is red and blistered, to allow the skin to heal. Also, apply a soothing cream (e.g. Sorbolene) once healed.
- Re-apply tape when skin is less irritated.
Swelling And Bruising
- Expect to have swelling and bruising 2 – 3 weeks post-operatively.
- Some people experience a feeling of tightness.
- It takes 6 – 8 weeks before feeling normal again. Avoid excessive exercise and movement of the legs for six weeks, e.g. running, dancing, gym work.
- Ice packs will help reduce swelling and bruising.
Diet
- A light diet is best, not too rich, on the night after surgery, to avoid vomiting after anaesthetics.
Activity
- During the first 48 hours, bed rest is recommended and is the most convenient position to apply ice compresses.
- During the first five days after surgery, it is most important not to engage in any activity which will elevate the blood pressure and swelling, and possibly produce bruising under the skin and may cause bleeding.
- Light walking is permitted for half an hour twice a day after the first week, gradually increasing. Following the first office visit, you will be given further instructions regarding your activity level.
- It takes 6 – 8 weeks before feeling normal again. Avoid excessive exercise and movement of the legs for six weeks, e.g. running, dancing, gym work. No heavy exercise or aerobics of any kind for six weeks.
- No driving for two weeks.
- Exercise will increase swelling and bruising.
- No flying for two weeks unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- Do not sit in the sun or heat for four weeks as this could cause excessive swelling and other problems. Do not expose the wounds to the sun as this can lead to increased pigmentation in scars.
You Can Expect
- Moderate discomfort and pain.
- Moderate swelling.
- Black and blue discolouration (bruising).
- Possible tightness.
- Scars that are red initially but which fade and soften over the next 3 – 6 months. Scarring takes approximately one year to mature.
Call If You Have
- Severe pain not responding to medications.
- More pain or obviously more swelling on one side than the other.
- Bandages seeming too tight.
- Bright red bleeding.
- Gradual swelling.
- Any other question or problem arising.
Purchase Prior To Surgery For Dressings
- Ice packs – or bendable gel packs.
- Antibiotic ointment will be prescribed by the surgeon and can be dispensed at the Hospital prior to discharge.
Please call the office for routine questions and to schedule follow-up visits.
For an emergency, please call Dr Luke Stradwick on 0423 506 792 or Allamanda Hospital Emergency Department on 07-5591 9400