Do's and Don'ts the Day Before Surgery for Mommy Makeover?

First, read "10 Things I Wish I Knew Before a Mommy Makeover" (it's on this site if you do a search). This is honest, accurate, and well-written by an actual patient. Here are plastic surgical recommendations that I make for my patients!

Two weeks before:

   1)  Make sure you stop all aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin, Bufferin, Ecotrin, etc.), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, etc.), Aleve, extra Vitamin E (the amount in a multivitamin is OK), fish oils, and herbal remedies. These are blood thinners or can interact unfavorably with anesthetic drugs--keep them out of your system. Even one baby aspirin can cause bleeding!

   2)  Stop all tobacco products and nicotine products, including gum, spray, patches, etc. Zyban or Chantix are OK to use. Second-hand smoke is the same as you smoking--NOT ALLOWED

   3)  Make sure your pre-operative physical is completed. The one you had a month or two ago is not sufficient; your surgeon and anesthesia provider need to know you are OK for surgery and anesthesia NOW, not several months ago! Sure, if you're healthy there won't be any changes, but let your own doctor verify this!

5 days before:

   1)  Stop all alcoholic beverages. It's important to get all the alcohol metabolites out of your system before anesthesia.

   2)  Make sure you've arranged for help with the mothering duties you took care of before surgery--you SHOULD NOT vacuum, lift heavy laundry baskets, shop for groceries, pick up after the kids and your husband, etc. after surgery. YOU WILL NEED HELP, especially for the first few days. The rest can wait. REALLY!

   3)  Buy groceries, including easy-to digest foods for yourself (for the first day or two), easy to prepare foods for the kids and husband, and several bags of frozen peas or corn to use as reusable ice bags (Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts do not work as well!)

   4)  If you own cats, consider getting them out of the house (at least your bedroom and main living areas) and clean all areas where the cats go with antibacterial wipes, spray, etc. Consider that cats do their business in litter boxes, walk through the litter boxes and get all kinds of fecal (poop) bacteria on their fur, then spread that EVERYWHERE they walk. I'm not anti-cat, but I AM anti-infection! Dogs are OK since they go outside, do not walk in it, and (usually) stay on the floor. Don't handle any animal and then touch your incisions or drains.

2 days before:

   1)  shower with Hibiclens to reduce skin bacteria (see 4 above, but do this even if you don't own cats!). Also, shave your legs for the last time before surgery, and shave the upper pubic area (where the drain(s) will exit your body).

   2)  Consider filling your prescriptions for your post-op meds (that way you won't have to stop on the way home after surgery when you really want to get out of the moving car!)  While at the drugstore buy stool softeners (not laxatives) to start the day after surgery. Get a twin-pack of Fleets enemas (Small green-boxed pre-filled easy to use enemas). You'll thank me for this later!

1 day before:

   1)  Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. If you have night-time medicines to take, this is OK before bedtime. This is critical to minimize the risk of throwing up as you are going asleep and getting food, liquid, and stomach acid in your lungs (This is BAD!).

   2)  Take a Fleets enema before bedtime. This will help empty your lower bowel and reduce painful constipation during your recovery. 

The Morning of surgery:

   1)  Take your second Fleets enema, then shower with Hibiclens. Do NOT shave--this increases the risk of infection, which is why you do this two days before. You can brush your teeth, but do NOT drink. DON'T chew gum--it stimulates stomach acid and is just as bad as eating! Mouthwash, rinse, and spit is OK.

   2)  Take any morning medicines with you to your surgeon's facility. Take them only if your surgeon AND anesthesia provider give the OK, and then only with a sip of water. Read about food, liquid, and stomach acid in the lungs above. (It's still BAD!)

   3)  Make sure you have a nice recliner chair to sleep in, or consider putting a sofa cushion under your mattress at the head of the bed (to keep your head and chest elevated after surgery to reduce swelling, and to keep tension off your tummy tuck--pillows under knees).

   4)  Wear comfortable clothing with elastic at the waist and front zipper on the top (Running outfit or clean sweats are easy to dress you in after surgery, and easy for your husband or caregiver to help you with after you get home). Style points are not given after surgery! PS: You can skip the cute underwear; you won't be wearing them home anyway!

   5)  Be calm and excited! Questions and worries should have been dealt with by now. Highly motivated and excited patients have a MUCH BETTER recovery than those who are anxious or worried.

Best Wishes! (Luck is not needed). Dr. Tholen

Your surgeon will meet with you prior to your scheduled surgery date to review all important information with you to help you prepare for surgery. The day before surgery you want to try to relax. Have your plan in place for your route and ride to the surgery center or hospital. Have arrangements made for child care help if applicable. Have small, easily digestible snacks to have for your return home. Some good choices are applesauce, yogurt, and crackers. Having lots of extra pillows available will also be helpful in positioning. Good luck with surgery!

The day before your surgery, most of the plans and prep work should be done. By this point, the most important thing is to make sure you get enough rest. You should also stop eating or drinking, even water, the night before – different doctors have different guidelines for this. If you haven’t already, pick up your prescriptions from the pharmacy so that you don’t need to worry about it after surgery. Make sure your home is prepared and ready to be a sanctuary of restful relaxation. Be sure your arrangements for surgery day are finalized beforehand, such as who is driving you to and from the office. Good luck!