Why is this procedure done?
Surgery to repair or reshape a part of your body or face is called reconstructive surgery. You may need this because of: ‚
- A problem from birth
- Surgery to get rid of cancer
- An accident or illness
What will the results be?
Your doctors will use tissue, muscle, bones, and skin to repair your body part to look and work more normally. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are: Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- MRI or CT scan
Be sure to follow your doctors advice about: ‚
- Avoid smoking. This may increase the risk of problems with wound healing.
- Shower the night before the surgery. Use antibacterial soap. Your doctor may have you repeat the shower with a special soap the morning of the surgery.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- The kind of surgery your doctor will do is based on what part of your body needs repaired and why.
- Your doctor may use a flap to make your body part look more normal and have less scarring.
- Some flaps are skin and the fatty tissue. Other flaps also use muscle and some have blood vessels.
- Some flaps use muscle, bone, or other tissues to help make an area look and work in a more normal way.
- Your doctor may place a drainage tube to drain extra fluid out to help healing.
- This procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely.
- Your doctor may give you drugs to ease pain and prevent an upset stomach. You will get fluids through an I.V. until you are able to eat and drink.
- You may wear a special bandage to support your body part and to decrease bleeding. You may have some bruising, swelling, and tenderness for a few weeks. Full healing may take a few months.
- You may be able to go home after your surgery or you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days based on your surgery.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you may need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- If you have a drain in place, this may need to be taken out at your first visit after surgery.
- A second surgery may need to be done in a few months to do other repairs.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring or wrinkled skin
- Change in how the skin feels
- Graft used in the flap does not take and has to be removed
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons ‚
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚