Dressings and contour should be inspected for signs of increased bleeding, and an abdominal drain output should be recorded. Urine output should be monitored to rule out bleeding or dehydration. Patients should be kept warm as hypothermia puts patients at risk for postoperative infection and wound healing problems. Patients should be flexed at the waist to avoid undue tension on the abdomen, unless another procedure was performed during the abdominoplasty that would be hurt with this positioning. The patient should be treated with antiemetics if necessary to avoid retching, which may increase intraabdominal pressure and predispose to wound dehiscence. Additionally, the patient should be given instructions on ambulation, coughing, and deep breathing. The patient should be given directions regarding the compression garment and should be educated about the signs of postoperative bleeding and infection. Compression should be firm but not tight (Logan & Broughton, 2008; Rothrock & McEwen, 2006; Burns & Blackwell, 2007).