Pre-operative Instructions for Your Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck procedure at our plastic surgery center allows many patients to tone and tighten the waistline, achieving results that may not have been obtainable with diet and exercise alone. While any surgical procedure carries risks, Dr. Barone’s experience and skill combine to produce safe and effective cosmetic results for our patients. Still, to ensure that surgery is safe and that the optimal results are achieved, patients must work together with Dr. Barone by following all provided pre- and post-operative care instructions. Leading up to surgery, Dr. Barone will ask her San Antonio patients to adhere to tummy tuck instructions that ensure the patient is properly prepared for surgery.
Pre-operative Instructions
The preparation for tummy tuck surgery will begin at your initial consultation with Dr. Barone. Here she will outline your personal treatment plan and provide you with specific pre-operative care instructions. Below are general guidelines that should be followed in the weeks leading up to surgery:
- Two weeks prior to surgery: Two weeks prior to surgery is a good time to begin getting the body prepared for surgery in order to increase the chances of a smooth recovery. Anyone who smokes should quit at this time and refrain from smoking throughout recovery. We recommend that patients begin taking a complete multi-vitamin once a day in the weeks leading up to surgery in order to ensure that all the daily needs for vitamins and minerals are met. Other herbal or dietary supplements should no longer be used in the weeks leading up to your tummy tuck procedure, as they may interfere with the body’s blood clotting abilities. While other prescription medicines may be okay to use, these should be discussed with and cleared by Dr. Barone.
- One week prior to surgery: The week before surgery is a good time to finalize your plans for who will drive you to and from surgery as well as where you will stay during recovery. It is important to plan for a friend or family member to be with you at all times during the first 24 hours of recovery. During this final week leading up to surgery, it is important to shower daily, using an anti-bacterial soap that can eliminate germs and decrease the risk of infection following surgery.
- The day before surgery: Dr. Barone will have prescribed an anti-biotic in order to ward off infection during recovery. Use of that antibiotic should begin the day before surgery. Do not use any other medication unless it has been approved by Dr. Barone. Again, the patient should shower to ensure the body has been thoroughly cleaned. No food or beverages should be consumed after midnight on the night before the tummy tuck procedure.
- The day of surgery: The day of surgery it is important to refrain from using any lotion, make-up, or perfume. The body should be clean and free of any cosmetics or jewelry. Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn. An ideal outfit would be pants with an elastic waist and a shirt that buttons up the front so that stretching and lifting can be avoided. Be sure to arrive on time so that any final preparations can be completed before surgery.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Constance Barone keeps open communication with all of her patients and ensures that they are prepared both physically and mentally for any cosmetic procedure being performed. If you have any questions regarding a tummy tuck procedure and whether it is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Constance Barone at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!