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Procedures Performed
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Lift
  • Breast Reduction
  • Liposuction
  • Face Lift
  • Neck Lift
  • Chemical Peel
  • Dermabrasion
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Male Breast Reduction
  • Gynecomastia

 

Dr. Cruise serves the following areas:

  • Orange County,
  • Irvine,
  • Newport Beach,
  • San Diego,
  • Los Angeles,
  • Beverly Hills,
  • Southern California.

 

Breast Augmentation Information Resource for Southern California including Orange County, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego, and Beverly Hills.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

 

 

After the Abdominoplasty Procedure

 

The procedure will take approximately 2 to 3 hours.

 

AFTER SURGERY

 

  1. Get plenty of rest and limit yourself to light activities the first 10 days after surgery. Sleep and rest with your head slightly elevated for the first 3 days.
  2. You may take a cool shower the day after surgery. Make sure you have someone helping you. Let water run gently over the drain exits. Dab dry. Place gauze over drain exit. Put your binder back on.
  3. Walk every hour while awake for the first day and then every 2 hours. Avoid stairs.
  4. Take all medications as directed. If you need a refill on pain medications call the office.
  5. Empty drains every 8 hours or when they become more than half full. Write down the amount of drainage.
  6. Do not be concerned if the fluid from the body leaks around the drain. If the drain clogs, you will need to milk it. If you are not sure how, call the office for instructions.
  7. At one week, start wearing a girdle under the binder. The girdle should be snug but not too tight. Wear both girdle and binder for 6 weeks.
  8. At 2 to 3 weeks after surgery take your steri-strips off. Apply ScarLess®, allow it to dry and then reapply silicone sheets twice a day for two months.
  9. Sutures will dissolve on their own.
  10. Do not drive for the first week or while on pain medications. Do not do heavy housework. Do not work out at all for the first 3 weeks, and no abdominal workout for at least 8 weeks.
  11. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
  12. Avoid direct exposure of the incision to sunlight for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to the area of the incision, if you will be in the sun for extended periods of time.
  13. Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
  14. Do not use aspirin-containing products for at least 1 week. You may take Tylenol or pain medication as prescribed.
  15. You may apply ice or bags of frozen peas or corn on the abdomen for the first 48 hours to decrease swelling. Do not apply it directly on your skin.
  16. It is not uncommon for a small part of the incision to open up and look like a pimple at 4 to 8 weeks. This is called a stitch abscess; it is caused by a suture which is expelled by the body. Simply wash the area with soap and water and apply Neosporin or Polysporin to it. If the area of redness is larger than a dime, call the office.
  17. Remember it may take up to 3 or 4 months for your energy to return. Do not get frustrated if you tire easily.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOU RECOVER

 

  1. Immediately after surgery, some patients feel groggy or nauseous. These feelings normally subside by the next day.
  2. Many patients experience some pain for the first 3 to 4 days and soreness for the first 2 weeks.
  3. Standing straight will be difficult for about 1 or 2 weeks. You may also experience some temporary lower back pain due to this bent posture.
  4. Swelling and bruising usually clears up within 2 weeks.
  5. The scar may become thick and puffy as it heals. It will also look bunched up. The scar will flatten out within 6 to 12 months. After one year, if the scar is more noticeable than desired, you may discuss scar revision with the doctor.

 

WHEN TO CALL US

 

Post surgical complications are rare and are often easily solved by the doctor. Call us if you experience any of the following: A temperature of 101 F or higher, increased local redness or warmth, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, calf pain, or if you just feel that something might be wrong. Please call the office during regular business hours @ 949-644-4808 or after hours page Dr. Cruise @ 714-304-8050. In addition, call if you have continuous discharge from the incision line.

 

POST-OP VISITS AND CARE SUMMARY

 

Blood Clot
  1. It is important to walk at least every 2 hours while you're awake to prevent blood clotting, but do not overdo it. Right after surgery you will be instructed to walk around every 1 hour.
  2. Pay specific attention to leg swelling. If you notice swelling or calf pain contact the office.
Drain Function
  1. Make sure that your drains are functioning.
  2. Empty drains every 8 hours or when they become more than half full and write down amount of drainage.
  3. Do not be concerned if the fluid from the body leaks around the drain.
  4. You may need to milk the tube if it appears to be clogged.
  5. Drains come out at about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the amount of drainage.
  6. Note: the drain is always uncomfortable, but it is absolutely necessary to prevent fluid accumulation.
Constipation
  1. If you are constipated at day 2, stop taking Vicodin or Darvocet.
  2. You should walk, drink a lot of fluids, and consider taking a laxative such as Ex-lax or Correctol.
Fever
  1. Make sure to cough and breathe deeply, as fever is usually in lungs for the first 3 days after surgery.
Garment Placement
  1. ADJUST GARMENT/ BANDAGE EVERY 2 HOURS. This may mean undoing and repositioning the binder. You should have steady, gentle compression. If you cannot put your finger between the garment and your body, it means it is too tight. If the garment is too tight it will prevent proper blood flow.
  2. At one week start wearing a girdle under the binder. The girdle should be snag but not too tight. Wear both for 6 weeks.
Activity
  1. Walk in a flexed-forward position for the first 2 weeks.
  2. Take a cool shower the day after surgery, if you wish. Hold drains in shower and allow clean water to run over drain entrance into the body. Dab dry. Make sure you have someone helping you.
  3. Walk every hour while awake for the first day and then every 2 hours daily.
  4. Sleep at a 45-degree angle for the first 3 nights.
  5. Do not move or rotate the abdomen for 4 weeks. Bend with knees; don't bend with abdomen. Turn your entire body; do not rotate abdomen. Limit the amount of time you walk.
  6. Exercise areas other than your abdomen at 4 weeks, if you wish. You can begin to exercise your abdomen at 8 weeks if there is no pain.
Wound Care
  1. Your gauze will be changed at your followup visit.
  2. Make sure your garment is placed correctly.
  3. Keep surgical area clean and dry at all times.
  4. Your tape will be changed at about week two. You will receive additional tape to reapply when this one comes off. The tape should stay on for about 10 weeks. Change it when needed. After ten weeks apply ScarLess® for another month. Make sure to keep compression on for at least 6 weeks. The longer the better.

 

Breast Augmentation Information Resource for Southern California including Newport Beach, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Beverly Hills.