Post Op Lymphatic ‘Prepare for Surgery’

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Don’t Forget these THINGS  

1. Arnica Pellets  
2. Bromelain                 
3. Compression socks 
4. Dial Soap
5. Hibiclens   
6. Mosquito spray
7. Tourist Card 
8. Vitamins/ Iron

Contact us to get our Surgeon List, to prepare for surgery.  

           1. Adult Wipes   

 2. Blanket    

      3. Chapstick   

                4. Hair Tie/ Scarf  

              5. Luggage Lock  

6. PeeEZ    

            7. Wash cloths   

     8. Wish Pics 

1. Ace Bandages
2. Bio-Oil
3. Boppy Pillow
4. Manuka Honey
5. Massager
6. Medical
7. Tape/ Gauze
8. Rose Hip Oil
9. Scar Away
10. Waist Trainer
11. Water Pill
12. Return Flight

• Drink lots of fluids
• Walk frequently (walk passive movements not exercise)
• Garment: Wear 20 hrs per day for 4 weeks (12 hrs per day for 2 weeks after that)
• Shower 24 hrs after procedure (Take garment off extremely slowly while lying on bed)
• NO POOL, LAKE, SAUNA, HOT TUB, OCEAN ETC FOR TWO WEEKS
•  Must take antibiotics twice per day twice per day with food until finished 
• Pain: Can take painkillers first few days as needed then switch to plain extra strength tylenol – NO ADVIL, ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN FOR ONE WEEK
• Fluid leakage will occur first few days - please read details on next page
• LOW Sodium, HIGH Protein Diet
• GA (general anesthesia) Cases: WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS 48-72 hrs post procedure
• Follow Ups will be one week, one month, three months, six months, or as needed with nursing team

**  When to call 911: If you have significant chest pain, calf pain, or shortness of breath. If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication. If you have any side effects from medications; such as rash, nausea, headache, vomiting. If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees. If you have bright red bleeding from the incision sites that are difficult to control with light pressure.

** These instructions are used as a general guideline. For your individual needs, your nurse will guide you.

FLUIDS: We ask that you drink LOTS & LOTS of fluids post operatively. Water, coconut water, Gatorade etc. are great options. Fluids are absolutely essential for your recovery. This will prevent dehydration, prevent dizziness and keep the body at an optimal state to recover.

BLOOD CLOT PREVENTION & ACTIVITY: When you are awake, please be sure to get up and walk every hour. Not exercise, but walking from one room to another in the house/hotel. You may resume normal exercise at 3 weeks or as directed otherwise. We suggest wearing the compression garment while exercising to combat any swelling induced from exercise. 

(Anytime you increase your heart rate, you will swell more )

GARMENT: Your doctor/ Surgery Office will provide you with a compression garment appropriate to your need/procedure. Typically known as a Stage 1 Faja which should have one clamp and a zipper that lays flat on the abdomen. Please wear this for 20 hours a day for the first 3 to 4 weeks as well as your ab boards and foams working as a barrier between your skin and the Faja material. You can take it off to shower and to wash it. These garments CAN go into the washer/dryer. After that, you may wear the garment 8-12 hours a day when it is convenient for you. For GA cases, please wear compression socks for 48-72 hours post op.

BATHING: You may shower 24 hours after your procedure. ALL dressings may come off. You will take off your garment EXTREMELY slowly while lying on the bed. You will become dizzy and lightheaded if you do this too fast. Please use a mild soap. No scrubbing at the incisions, just let the soap wash down over them. Pat dry and place appropriate dressings over. If you are still leaking, you can place the ABD pads over each small incision to help absorb any fluid leakage.

INCISION CARE: After your shower, please use a small amount of bacitracin ( nothing too goopy) over each incision. You will do this for two weeks. Once all incisions are completely closed, you may start using the Skinuva scar gel or any scar gel of your preference. 

PAIN/ ANTIBIOTICS: We will prescribe you various medications (please see attached MEDICATION DESCRIPTION sheet for details). Typically, you will want to use the painkillers for the first few days. After that plain extra strength Tylenol should suffice. Narcotics cause constipation, so stool softeners will be needed. Please keep in mind, everyone is different, this is just a suggestion. Your individual needs may be different.

LEAKAGE/ DRAINAGE: Numbing fluid will be placed under the skin to ensure you are comfortable throughout your procedure. The small incisions will be kept open so that you leak out the excess fluid. Better out than in!

This is normal and expected. This fluid will look like blood. It is a drop of blood in a gallon of water. The consistency will be thin and liquid-y. Please know the amount can be A LOT or A LITTLE. Place the blue absorbent pads, from Amazon list, on the bed to prevent soiling the bed sheet. If you have a drain(s) please record the daily output and report it to your nurse/doctor.

NUTRITION: Please plan on a high protein, low sodium diet for at least 3 weeks. This will maximize healing while minimizing any extra swelling from excessive salt intake.

FOLLOW UPS: One week, one month, three months, six months with the nursing staff.