Tissue Expansion Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

Instructions

DO NOT HAVE AN MRI WITH YOUR TISSUE EXPANDERS IN PLACE
Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
Unless stated on this form, discuss your time off work with your surgeon.
Resuming your normal routine depends on the type and complexity of your surgery. Usually you can manage your normal routine while the expander is in place.

Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Keep steri-strips on.
Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.

You may have surgical drains in place.
Drains will be removed when the 24 hour output is less that 30ml for 2 days.
You may shower 48 hours after drains have been removed.
Expansion usually starts 2-3 weeks after your surgery.
Your drains need to be out for at least a week before expansion is started (unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon).

While the tissue is being expanded, a bulge will be created. Depending upon the location of the tissue expansion, the bulge may be considered desirable or unsightly.
Following tissue expansion, a more normal look should be restored.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.