Pelvic Plasty is a skeletal-based form of hip augmentation that increases pelvic bone width. The postoperative swelling and discomfort it causes is not particularly different from hip implant augmentation in general. There will be drains placed at the end of the surgery that will need to be in place for a few days after the surgery. The biggest limitation after the surgery is that walking will be a iittle stiff/sore due to the trauma to the fascial attachments along the iliac crest
Here are my specific postoperative instructions:
1. Iliac crest implants are associated with a modest amount of walking pain in the first few days after surgery. Take your pain medications (narcotics) as needed. That would be 2 to 3 tablets every 3 to 4 hours as needed.
2. You will have an above the knee compression girdle or a wrap around hip binder placed at the end of your surgery. The purpose of the garment is two-fold; comfort and compression across the hip dip implants to reduce the risk of seroma formation. You may remove the garment to shower 48 hours after the surgery. You will wear the garment for the first week after the surgery.
3. The incisions right below the front of the iliac crest will be covered with glued on tapes. There is no care needed for them. It is ok to get them wet and they will likely start to get loose in the first week or so after surgery. The longer they remain in place the better it is for the scars. But once they get loose enough you can peel them off.
4. All of the sutures for the incisions are dissolvable and have been placed underneath the skin. There are no sutures to remove.
5. Most of the discomfort from this combined implant procedure is during walking. Standing, laying down and sitting should be more comfortable and you may do so as soon as you want after surgery. Laying on your sides will be initially uncomfortable but you can do so when it feels comfortable. You can’t hurt the implants by laying on them.
6. Wear whatever clothes feel comfortable. Initially loose clothing like sweatpants is best.
7. Numbness of the skin around the hips is normal after this kind of surgery. Normal feeling will eventually return to the surrounding skin a few months after they surgery.
8. Avoid exercise of any kind for four weeks after surgery so the risk of seroma (fluid accumulation) is lessened. Too much activity too soon is an avoidable reason for seroma problems.
9. You may drive when you feel comfortable and can react normally and are off pain medication. It is all about how comfortable sitting in the car is before you can drive. Like getting up from a chair the hardest issue for driving is getting in and out of the car.
10. If any redness, tenderness, or drainage develops anytime after the surgery contact us by email or phone during the week and by our emergency number after hours and on the weekend.
Dr. Barry Eppley
World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon