Post Operative Care: Thigh Lift
AFTER SURGERY
POSITION: Because of the location of your incisions, it is impossible to avoid lying on them. Move as carefully as possible. Try to put as little stress on the incision lines as possible. Change position at least every 30 minutes.
BLEEDING: Small amounts of oozing and bleeding are very common. If this is more than slow staining of the gauze, apply firm pressure for 30-60 minutes before calling the office. Should heavy bleeding occur (very rare), apply firm pressure and call us at (201) 261-7550 immediately.
ADHESIVE STRIPS AND SKIN TYPE: If adhesive strips (steri-strips) and skin tape have been placed, you may get them wet and dry them as you do your own skin. If they loosen, it will not hurt to remove them.
COMPRESSION GARMENT: If you have had suction of your knees, thighs, hips, or abdomen, Dr. Zubowski may put a compression garment on you at the end of surgery. The extra pressure this garment provides helps reduce swelling and discomfort. You should not remove this garment at all until the second or third day after surgery. After that, feel free to remove the garment temporarily for laundering. We want you to have circumferential pressure for 4-6 weeks, but you may switch to an exercise garment (Lycra or Spandex) whenever it feels comfortable to slip it on or off, as you will have to do so in order to go to the bathroom.
WALKING: You must get up and walk some every day. As you heal, you will be able to do more and more.
CLEANSING AND SHOWERING: See Infection under Specific RISKS above. This is VERY important.
LONGER TERM
ACTIVITY/SPORTS: We want you to avoid straining or any aerobic activity for at least 3 weeks after surgery. This is to avoid bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Do not resume strenuous exercise for 3-4 weeks. Dr. Zubowski will give you clearance to increase your activities according to the progress of your activity.
DRIVING: You may resume driving when you feel you are able, but wait at least 2 days after surgery. Keep in mind that you must have full use of your reflexes. If pain will inhibit them, don’t drive!
SEXUAL ACTIVITY: You may enjoy sexual activity as your body allows with following restriction: please reread Activity/Sports above and apply the same concept to sex.
SUN EXPOSURE: If fresh scars are exposed to the sun, they will tend to become darker and take longer to fade. Sunscreen can help. Take extra care and precautions if the area operated on is slightly numb — you might not “feel” a sunburn developing.
WORK: Follow whatever plan you and Dr. Zubowski have agreed upon.
AS YOU HEAL
TIGHTNESS: The areas operated on will initially feel tight and swollen. During this initial healing time, we want you to progressively do the activities of daily living as much as you can. DO NOT, HOWEVER, MAKE SPECIAL ATTEMPTS TO STRETCH OR EXERCISE THE HEALING AREAS.
SWELLING: Postoperative swelling will gradually disappear during a 4-6 month period.
NUMBNESS: If you have small areas of numbness on your thighs, they usually disappear gradually over several months.
ACTIVITIES: You probably should not plan on returning to work for at least 10-14 days if your job is sedentary. If your job requires lifting, etc., wait 4-8 weeks before returning. After the first 2-3 weeks, you may walk as much as is tolerable. Do not return to heavy or aerobic exercise for at least 4-6 weeks. Let your body tell you what it can tolerate.