Your written discharge plan comes first. These instructions must be tailored to your treatment and medical history. For combined procedures, ask the team for one coordinated plan; do not choose between conflicting instructions yourself.
What to expect.
Bruising, swelling, soreness, and small amounts of blood-tinged drainage can occur. Swelling may temporarily obscure the contour.
Your care plan.
- Wear the fitted compression garment and absorbent pads as directed. Keep the garment smooth and avoid rolling edges or excessive tightness.
- The existing practice protocol allows a shower the night after surgery if you are steady and your discharge plan permits. Replace the garment afterward.
- The existing plan uses compression for about six weeks, with a garment change only after clearance. Confirm the schedule for your treated areas.
- Use clean dressings for drainage. Do not massage, use heating pads, or add ice to numb areas without guidance.
Activity & recovery.
- Take short walks during waking hours and rise slowly. Avoid vigorous exercise, heavy lifting, or straining until your follow-up clearance.
- Do not book lymphatic massage or use contouring devices without surgeon approval.
Follow your team’s specific instructions for medicines, wound care, and safe movement. Do not drive while taking sedating medicines or until you can safely operate a vehicle and your surgeon clears you.
When to call.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, stroke symptoms, or sudden loss of vision need immediate emergency care. Do not wait for an office reply or use an online form.
Contact your care team promptly
- Call urgently for a rapidly expanding area, severe pain, heavy bright-red drainage, or garment-related skin changes.
- Report fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, spreading redness, pus, worsening pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Call sooner if you feel seriously unwell, even without a fever.
- New one-sided calf pain or swelling needs urgent medical assessment. If you also have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
Call 615.730.7500. After hours, follow the urgent-contact directions on your discharge paperwork. If you cannot reach the team and symptoms are urgent, seek immediate medical care.
Stay connected.
Keep your scheduled follow-up and ask the team when to send an update or return sooner. Confirm any dressing, stitch, or drain removal with the office. Return to exercise, work, travel, and skin-care products should follow your individual clearance plan.
Before leaving your appointment, make sure you know your next visit date, medication plan, and after-hours contact instructions.
Sources & references
Papillion practice instructions
These references provide general information. Follow your care team’s procedure-specific instructions and personal discharge plan.