Post-operative care and considerations

The following information is only a guide. Our clinic nurse will contact you on the following business day to confirm instructions specific to your care. 

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What to expect after surgery?

In the first days after surgery, here are some important things to know.

Being Discharged from Hospital

A responsible adult must accompany you home and we strongly suggest that a responsible adult remain with you for the first 24 hours.

Showering after surgery

A shower may be taken 48 hours after surgery. Remove your garment pre shower but leave your skin tapes in place. After your shower, gently pat the tapes dry with a clean towel (do not rub). You may use a hair dryer however be aware to hold the hair dryer at least a foot from your tapes, as you may have reduced sensation post op and could accidentally burn yourself. Do not dress until tapes are completely dry. Please leave tapes on, they will be changed as required by the nurse during your review at the clinic.

Post-Operative Call

Our surgical nurse will reach out to you on the next business day after your procedure to follow up and ensure you're recovering well.

Garments

Post operative garment

During your procedure, you will be fitted into a post operative compression body garment. This is to be worn 24/7 (except for when showering) for the first 6 weeks. The garment is vital for providing support and prevents fluid from building up in the surgical area.

Please note: Blepharoplasty surgery does not require a garment.

Ted Stockings

Please wear stockings until you return to your usual level of mobility. Stockings should be removed for no longer than 30 minutes every day. Your legs should be washed and inspected for damage and skin discolouration or soreness. Wash stockings every 2-3 days.

Precautions

Heavy Lifting

Refrain from exercise or lifting heavy objects for 6 weeks following surgery 

Smoking

Chemicals in cigarette smoke interfere with skin circulation and can severely delay healing, which can result in wound breakdown and permanent scarring. As such, no smoking for 6 weeks before and after surgery. You may wear nicotine patches or use nicotine gum. 

Submerging in water

Do not have a bath, use a pool, spa, sauna, lake, river, or ocean for 6 weeks, or until the incisions have completely healed. 

Dental

Two weeks prior to and four weeks post-surgery you cannot have any invasive dental work done.

Alcohol consumption

You should not consume alcoholic beverages for at least 2 days pre and 5 days post op. 

Driving

It is recommended that you do not drive for a period of one to three weeks following surgery, until you are able to drive safely, competently & comfortably. You cannot drive with drains in or while on strong pain relief. It is advisable that you also check with your car insurance policy provider.

At The Coastal Clinic, we provide exceptional surgical care and patient-centred end-to-end service to our clients on their journey to becoming the most confident, authentic version of themselves.

What to expect after your procedure 

Some pain and discomfort is expected at your wound site post operatively as the effects of your local and general anaesthetic wear off. This can be managed with oral pain medication if required. (ensuring that this pain medication does not interact with any of your current/regular medications) 

  • Some minor bleeding from your wound site for the first 48 hours. 
  • Some swelling and bruising. This can take 2-3 weeks to settle. 

To help with minimise swelling and bleeding, please keep the operated site elevated if possible. For example:  sleep elevated with pillows to assist. 

 

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Other important information prior to surgery

If we haven’t addressed your inquiries yet, here are some frequently asked questions that may provide the information you’re looking for. However, if you still have any remaining questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic at 07 5683 0820 or via email at admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au. Our team is ready to assist you.

  • Signs of infection
  • Increasing redness
  • Increasing pain
  • Fever
  • Discharge of pus from the wound
  • Increasing swelling.
  • Prolonged or increasing volume of bleeding.
  • Nausea or vomiting that is not settling.
  • Chest pain and /or shortness of breath
  • Pain in your calves.
  • Signs of infection
  • Increasing redness
  • Increasing pain
  • Fever
  • Discharge of pus from the wound
  • Increasing swelling.
  • Prolonged or increasing volume of bleeding.
  • Nausea or vomiting that is not settling.
  • Chest pain and /or shortness of breath
  • Pain in your calves.
  • Pain relief medication will be prescribed to manage your post-operative discomfort. Take as required and do not exceed pharmacy packet quantity/frequency directions.  
  • Take Movicol or Coloxyl and Senna as directed and/or pear juice to relieve/prevent constipation that can arise from reduced activity and analgesia. Always maintain a high-water intake to keep your body well hydrated. Small regular sips is best. 
  • Take the full course of antibiotics if prescribed. Probiotics taken 1-hour pre or 2 hours post oral antibiotics can help maintain a healthy gut flora. 
  • You may resume blood-thinning medications 1-week post-surgery unless advised otherwise by your surgeon. 

Follow up care

Your follow up visit to The Coastal Clinic will be 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Your appointment times will be emailed to you one week prior to your surgery. At any time should you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07 5683 0820. Our office hours are 8.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday. Should you need urgent medical assistance outside of these hours, please present to your nearest emergency department or call an ambulance by dialling 000. 

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Risks of Surgery

As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, we aim to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the general risks associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and procedure-specific risks.

  • Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
  • Death
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
  • A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
  • Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
  • Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
  • Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
  • Wound discharge
  • Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
  • Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
  • Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
  • Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
  • Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
  • Adverse scarring
  • Revisionary surgery
  • Psychological impact of change in appearance
  • Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
  •  
  • Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
  • Death
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
  • A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
  • Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
  • Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
  • Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
  • Wound discharge
  • Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
  • Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
  • Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
  • Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
  • Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
  • Adverse scarring
  • Revisionary surgery
  • Psychological impact of change in appearance
  • Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
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