A roll of permanent surgical staples helps holds the muscles together. The excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen are trimmed. A new opening is created in the skin of the abdominal wall to reinsert the navel. Plastic drains are usually inserted prior to suturing the wound closed and are removed four to seven days later in the office. Adequate pain medication will also be prescribed.
Most patients find that an assistant at home is a necessity for the first three days.
Laxatives may be necessary to prevent straining associated with constipation. The patient will be encouraged to walk as much as possible at home after surgery as this will reduce the possibility of pneumonia or of clots forming in your calf veins. It will be necessary to keep the hips gently flexed for the first week to prevent excessive tension on the suture lines. The patient will usually be allowed to shower after the drains have been removed but soaking in a bathtub is to be avoided for two weeks. Wounds are generally closed with buried sutures and the incisions are covered with surgical tapes which are to stay in place for the first two weeks.