Patient Resources

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Please ensure you read the post procedure guidelines. It will provide you and your escort important information following your procedure. A copy of this will be useful for your escort to have.

DIRECTLY AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Start time of the procedure is an estimate only and you will usually be at the Clinic longer than anticipated. You will be required to stay for a period of time following your procedure, which will be defined by your Surgeon/Doctor. You will need a relative or friend to drive you home. This is essential for your safety. Rarely, patients might be admitted for overnight for monitoring, but this will be agreed prior to surgery. Occasionally overnight monitoring can be decided if post-operative recovery is too slow. If it does this may incur additional costs to the patient.

ASSISTANCE

It is recommended that you have somebody to stay and assist you for the first 24-48 hours. Your escort should be familiar with these post procedure guidelines.

DRIVING

Driving is not allowed for 2 days after general or twilight anaesthesia, sedation or whilst on prescription analgesia (pain killers).

ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are prescribed to reduce chances of infection after surgery, and you must take them. You must inform your surgeon if you are allergic to any antibiotics, which should have happened during your preoperative consultations. You must COMPLETE the course of prescribed antibiotics.

TREATMENT SITES

You will be given adequate spare dressings and any other items you might require. Specific information concerning dressings will be given to you. You will also be advised on washing, exercise and when to return for follow-up care sessions at the clinic. During the first 48 hours, there will be significant leakage of fluids from the wounds. This is normal and will consist of a blood-stained anaesthetic solution at the incision sites. Although it is red it contains very little blood (1%). Drainage is a good thing. More drainage indicates less swelling and bruising.

DO NOT APPLY HEAT OR ICE TO THE SURGICAL AREAS

Itching, pinching, pulling, hardness, tightness, and numbness are all normal sensations after surgery. These often subside within a few days but can occasionally last for a few months. This is all part of the healing process and patience is needed.

SHOWERING

Showering is allowed provided the incisions are covered. Avoid contact of shower water to the treated areas (recent studies have shown that shower heads support colonies of microorganisms, and these can be directly infused into open wounds during showering). Sponge washing of the treated areas is safest, but again avoid wetting the wounds. The first full shower is safe once wounds are closed and appear dry. Shallow bathing is allowed from the third day post-surgery provided the bath is run through the tap and Hibiscrub soap added instead of bubble bath.

COMPRESSION GARMENTS

You will be dressed in tight fitting, custom-made garment at the end of your procedure. A spare garment will be provided. This special garment provides support and comfort and will help your skin conform to your new body contour. This is quite important to achieving an aesthetic outcome from your surgery. The garment must be worn at all times, and can only be removed for a shower, bandage changes, and the change of foam rubber paddings (provided for mid-def and hi-def/4D operations). Occasionally patients may experience light-headedness and giddiness when changing the compression garment. This is normal. Have someone close to assist you when removing your compression garment. The garment must be worn 24 hours per day for one month (the only exceptions are those mentioned above). Your surgeon might advise you to wear the garment for a longer period.

DO NOT WEAR TIGHT FITTING CLOTHING OR BELTS OVER YOUR GARMENT

Tight clothing or belts over your treatment areas can permanently mark your skin. You may put thin cotton underwear or t-shirt under the garment if the garment causes irritation or friction of the skin nurses and your surgeon might advise you against that. Chin/neck patients must wear their garments for 5 days. Thereafter, it should also be worn for another seven days as often as possible but definitely during sleep. The garments should be hand-washed 25c max. Do not bleach, tumble dry, iron and do not use solvents. Do not remove stains with solvents. If needed extra garments can be ordered. Ask your medical team about this.

AFTERCARE

Aftercare may vary depending on the type of surgery performed and the specifics of the treatment site. Aftercare is a key component of the surgery recovery process, and you must attend your aftercare sessions to maximise your likelihood of a good aesthetic result. The best timing for aftercare includes a minimum of four visits spaced 1-2 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 42 days after your surgery. In some cases, depending on your speed of recovery, your medical team may recommend several additional visits.

FOOD

Do not smoke for 2 weeks post operatively. Smoking reduces blood flow and will compromise your healing. You will also be more prone to wound infection and your skin retraction and tightening will be negatively impacted from smoking. Alcohol increases the risk of bleeding and does not combine well with prescription medication. Alcohol should be avoided during the first week after surgery.

ACTIVITY

Depending on your operation and how you feel, early mobility (moving around) is advisable. If you are well, you can return to normal activities the day after the procedure, but AVOID vigorous work / activity on this day. Avoid intense sport, gym and strenuous physical activity for four weeks after the operation. It is advisable to rest for 2-3 days after the operation to cope with the leakage and to give your body a good start in the healing process.

SMOKING AND ALCOHOL

Do not smoke for 2 weeks post operatively. Smoking reduces blood flow and will compromise your healing. You will also be more prone to wound infection and your skin retraction and tightening will be negatively impacted from smoking. Alcohol increases the risk of bleeding and does not combine well with prescription medication. Alcohol should be avoided during the first week after surgery.

FOLLOWING UP

At Lipo Shape, the most important thing to us is our patient satisfaction. This is why we offer one of the most comprehensive aftercare packages available.

We operate an open-door policy with our patients which means that if you need anything at all following your procedure we encourage you to come in and see us.

You will be provided with two garments and a Post-procedure recovery kit. You’ll also be given Dr Siddiqi’s personal mobile number on the day of your procedure. He will be your emergency out of hours contact and will be available 24/7 in the 48 hours following your procedure.

You can call, email, text and WhatsApp your Patient Co-ordinator at any time.

Our patients are seen at the following intervals:

• 48 Hours – Post-Op Check in with Dr Siddiqi
• 1 Week – review with Dr Siddiqi
• 6 Weeks – review with Dr Siddiqi
• 3 Months – review with Dr Siddiqi
• 6 Months – review with Dr Siddiqi