Recovery

A hospital stay of 2 -3 nights is required. The drains will remain in for 10 -15 days, and you will be thoroughly instructed on how to care for them prior to going home. Most patients require a minimum of 2 weeks to recover sufficiently from the surgery to return to work, but allowing 3 is better. There are usually no sutures to be removed following the procedure. You will wear a post-operative garment for approximately 3 weeks. This garment helps to reduce swelling and offers support to the tissues which makes you feel more comfortable. A series of follow up appointments will ensure you have no problems during this vital post-operative phase.

Initially, you will feel that you are unable to stand straight and will feel significantly stooped over. This feeling disappears as your natural posture returns over the first week to ten days post-operatively. Initially you will notice diminished or patchy skin sensation over the abdomen, buttocks and upper legs. Usually this sensation makes a full and complete recovery; however, occasionally you are left with permanent numb spots in these areas.

Dr Masters encourages patients to resume gentle cardiovascular exercise as soon as they feel able. You should not contemplate higher impact exercise (eg running, aerobics classes, etc) for at least six weeks. Swimming may be recommenced as soon as your wound is fully healed (usually around 3 weeks). If you have a membership at a gymnasium, it is recommended that you suspend the membership for 6 weeks to allow sufficient time for adequate healing. Should you be ready to return to the gymnasium prior to this, you will be able to reinstate your membership sooner.