Kelly Cavingtonson

Your Operation Begins

All of the necessary steps have been taken, and the surgery is about to begin. The surgical team is busy, positioning you as ordered by the surgeon and arranging you in a sterile field to virtually eradicate the potential for infection. Fast asleep from the anesthesia, your breathing is being controlled and vital signs maintained by the anesthesiologist.

The surgeon has scrubbed and gowned up and is ready to begin your panniculectomy. With his scalpel, he will create an incision vertically from the sternum to the Mons pubis, then again horizontally crossing the pubic region. The entire apron of skin will be excised, measured and weighed, then delivered to pathology for further exploration. A pannus can weigh anywhere between 3 and 150 pounds.

The remaining skin will be pulled up and sutured. After a panniculectomy or a tummy tuck surgery, the surgeon will place suction or vacuum drains that he stitches into the incision to keep fluid from building up and creating problems. Tape will be placed over the surgical area, as will as a dressing and binder, which will help to keep everything tight and properly in place.

The Recovery Room

Next, you will be sent into the recovery room where you will remain until you are fully awake and breathing on your own. Here you will be monitored closely for any post operative complications. Experienced staff will be here to address any need you may have and keep in close contact with the surgeon, who will supervise your progress closely.

Most of this time will be spent sleeping, but you might remember parts of this experience. The nurse will give you oxygen, and medications to control pain and any feelings of nausea you might encounter. Surgery can last from 2 to 5 hours and recovery another 1 to 3 hours, after which you will be returned to your hospital room.

Tips For Home Care

Tummy tuck recovery can be a daunting experience if you’re not prepared. Many people think that because it is an elective surgery, and going to change your appearance in a positive way, then it must be a breeze. If that’s the case, you are completely wrong.

Tummy tuck are a major surgery, and can cause a tremendous amount of pain. You are mistaken if you think that you are going to come home from the hospital, revel in the mirror in your new skinny jeans, and waltz off to the nearest club to show your friends how hot you look.

After a week in the hospital, expect to be exhausted. Being jarred awake every hour for vital signs, lab tests and medications makes for a tired patient.

When you walk through the door, into your home, the first thing you want to do, is take a nap. That is, until you try to lie down in your bed and realize that lying flat is excruciating agonizing. The strain of your muscles pulling, and putting stress on your sutures is toe-curling.

Helpful Options

There is a wedged shaped pillow you can buy that supports your muscles. It looks like a large wedge of cheese. I would suggest you purchase it, unless you have one of those expensive electronic Beds. Rolling up a blanket or using a pillow under your knees also relieves suture stress from tummy tucks.

Another option would be to rent a hospital bed, especially if you have an upstairs bedroom. They are rather inexpensive to rent, and will be brought to your home and set up by the company. This way, you can sleep in any position that makes you comfortable, with your knees elevated and sutures stress free. It is small enough to be placed in a living or family room where you are less isolated from the rest of your family. When you are ready to return to your bed upstairs, the rental company will come and take the bed away.