Bowel Cleansing Before Tummy Tuck

It is not essential and I would not be alarmed. Plastic surgeons who prescribe bowel cleansing, like myself, believe it helps with comfort after the surgery. Since that is discomfort from the tightening of the muscles and you will be on narcotic medications, there is a tendency for constipation and straining after the surgery.
By having your bowels emptied there will be a less likelihood for straining and discomfort.
Good luck.

Thank you for your question regarding bowel cleansing before your tummy tuck. Based on your surgeon’s advice, it seems that in your case, they do not consider the bowel cleanse absolutely essential for the procedure, especially since you’ve vomited after attempting it.

For most tummy tuck surgeries, a bowel cleanse is not usually required unless specifically advised by the surgeon. The focus is typically on ensuring that your stomach is empty, which can be managed by following the surgeon’s instructions for a liquid diet and fasting before surgery.

Since your surgeon has advised you to stay on a liquid diet and is not concerned about the bowel cleanse, it's safe to follow their instructions. The liquid diet will help keep your digestive system light and prepare your body for the surgery without adding unnecessary stress.

If you're still feeling uneasy, it's important to reach out to your surgeon again for reassurance. They will ensure you’re prepared for a safe and successful surgery.

I wish you the best with your tummy tuck, and I’m sure you’ll do great tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

It is my inpression that the vast majority of plastic surgeons do not use bowel preps. Therefore I would not be overly concerned. Therefore, even the liquid diet is more than adequate in most instances. To minimize postoperative constipation from the narcotic analgesics, I frequently advise my patients to begin stool softeners and mild laxatives soon after surgery.

There are 2 reasons cited for bowel preps:
1- Have empty bowels in case there is injury to the bowel. This is highly unlikely in a routine tummy tuck, unless there is an associated hernia repair or other intraabdominal procedures. In this case I leave the decision to the general surgeon in charge of the intraabdominal part of the procedure.
2- to prevent straining or constipation after surgery which may endanger the muscle repair if the patient pushes too much. The risk is increased with use of narcotics, which are needed for pain control, as narcotics by themselves cause constipation.
I think the use of stool softeners a few days before surgery, and the use of pain pumps, which vastly decrease the need for narcotics, are more than enough to eliminate constipation as a factor.

We do not routinely prep the bowel unless there is an associated hernia that is complicated, i.e. revisional, where intraabdominal surgery might be necessary when the hernia is repaired.  Often these more complicated procedures are done in conjunction with a general surgeon in a hospital setting.