Two days post-op.
47 year old woman, 5’6”, 180 lbs. after 90 lb. weight loss. She underwent extensive lipoabdominoplasty with vaser assisted liposuction of the lateral abdomen, waist and flanks. 6 lbs. of excess skin and fat were removed. The flap was re-attached to the abdominal wall with progressive tension and quilting sutures. Because this technique closed the open space created by the flap elevation, no drains are needed and none were used post-op. The incision is covered with Prineo dermabond wound closure tape, sealing the wound and splinting it for the next three weeks after which it is removed. No other dressings are required. For post-op pain control, Exparel, long-acting bupivacaine was injected under the abdominal fascia during surgery. The patient had no pain when she woke from general anesthesia and took very little pain medicine over the next two days.
The patient is seen on the exam table for her first post-op visit two days after surgery. Because of the use of vaser-assisted liposuction and topifoam under a binder, there is minimal to no bruising despite extensive liposuction. The patient was ambulatory and comfortable at this visit.