Robert C. Wright, M.D., P.S.
MERIDIAN SURGERY CENTER
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PANNICULECTOMY:
**Follow any instructions that Dr. Wright may have given you in addition to the following:
 FOR YOUR SAFETY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT MUST DRIVE YOU HOME AND STAY WITH YOU FOR 24 HOURS
FOLLOWING YOUR SURGERY. For at least 24 hours or while taking pain medicine do not drive a motor
vehicle or any dangerous machinery, do not drink any alcohol or make any important decisions as your
judgment will be impaired.

DIET: Advance diet slowly starting with clear liquids (tea, apple juice) and advance diet as tolerated
keeping to a low fat, high fiber diet as directed. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain
medications.

Medications: Take your pain medication as directed and resume your regular medications as directed.
See medication list. No Aspirin or Ibuprofen products for one week; Tylenol is okay if not taking
prescription pain medication containing acetaminophen.

Showering: It is ok to shower 24 hours after your surgery. Do not take a bath or submerge your incision
in any kind of standing water. Remove all of your bandages before showering and replace them and your
binder afterward. Change dressing at least once a day and/or as needed.

Stitches: Keep the incision line covered with clean gauze. Do not put any ointments on the
incision unless directed to do so. Your sutures are inside the wound and are dissolvable.

Drains: On the form provided, record the drain output every few hours while awake then a couple times a
day as the drainage slows down. When a drain is making 30 ml’s per 24 hours it may be considered for
removal. Typically that is after 5 to 7 days. Call our office once the drainage is 30 ml’s or less and we can
make an appointment for it to be removed. Be honest in your record of output. Taking the drain out too
soon can lead to complications.

Activity: Do not lift, push, or pull anything heavy (15lbs) for 6 weeks. It is ok to walk up and down
steps. Let your comfort be your guide. Small babies or children need to be placed in your lap or allowed to
crawl up to you. Do not pick them up. Exercise is limited to light walking or riding a stationary bike until
Dr. Wright tells you otherwise.

Binder: Unless you are in the shower keep the binder on until we tell you it’s “ok” to take it off. It
is acceptable to take it off for a couple hours to hand wash it. The elastic of the binder may irritate your
skin after a few days. Wear a soft, cotton T-shirt under the binder. After the first couple weeks, we
recommend you wear Spanx in place of your binder.

Smoking: Smoking impairs wound healing. DO NOT SMOKE!!! If you smoke there is a very
real chance your entire incision can split open and the skin along the stitch line can die leaving
you with a large hole on the front of your abdomen.

B.M.’s: It is not uncommon to become constipated after surgery, however, do not let yourself stay
constipated. We recommend any over-the-counter stool softener and suggest you start taking it right
away. This is not a laxative, rather, a lubricant to make your bowel movements easier to pass. If you are
constipated, please start using Milk of Magnesia or Miralax on day 2 after surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.
You may also eat prunes, cherries, dates and high-fiber cereals to aid in relieving constipation.
208 17th Avenue, SUITE 201 PUYALLUP, WA 98372
REVISED 1/08 MLH
253-840-1999
Robert C. Wright, M.D., P.S.
MERIDIAN SURGERY CENTER

Driving: Do not drive until you are off of your pain medications. Your reflexes will be slow
 Follow-up:
Call the office (253) 840-1999 for any urgent or emergent problems listed below. Our office is open Monday
thru Friday, 9am to 4:30pm. For problems after hours, please page the doctor on call and follow the prompts:
1-888-231-3487
 Fever (greater than 101 degrees orally)
 Shortness of breath, chest pain or extreme pain in calf/calves (Call 911)
 Continued vomiting or excessive bleeding.
 Severe pain unresponsive to the prescribed pain medicine.
 Rash/Hives/Itching – stop prescribed medication, take Benadryl immediately and call the office. If
you can’t breathe or swallow call 911.
 Changes in the wound appearance: Increased redness, swelling, warm to touch, or any unusual
drainage (yellow, foul-smelling).
 Otherwise, you will receive a call from our nursing staff the day after surgery to review
instructions so be sure to read them prior to her call.
 Dr. Wright will see you approximately 3 weeks after your surgery.
Your appointment is set for: __________________________________ Call the office if this time
doesn’t work for your schedule.

If you have a problem and cannot reach your doctor or the doctor on call, go to the emergency room, or
call 911 for any life threatening emergencies. Dr. Wright can continue your care at St. Clare Hospital
Emergency Room, just off of Bridgeport Way in Lakewood– (253) 985-8700
Supplies taken home: Ice pack
ESCORT SIGNATURE
Date ________________________
R.N.
Time _________________am / pm
208 17th Avenue, SUITE 201 PUYALLUP, WA 98372
REVISED 1/08 MLH
253-840-1999