Should i go on a liquid diet 5 days before having a tummy tuck?

Question

Wondering would keeping my stomach empty with no solid foods help with discomfort before tummy tuck, i want to go on a liquid diet before my procedure. Can this help with bloating and discomfort thats come after the tummy tuck

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

Constipation after surgery due to narcotics is common so having less stool inside you to start is a good idea but this takes a day of low residue foods to acieve in most patients. Good Luck!

Shayne Webb, MD · Answer

Every surgeon has a regimen that they like patients to follow.  Having patients on a liquid diet 5 days before a surgery is not something that I found to be necessary.  Best wishes.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

It is not necessary to go on a liquid diet prior to you tummy tuck. This surgery is external to the abdominal cavity so there is no affect on bowel function. Anesthesia, pain pills, and antibiotics are the primary reason for postop nausea, vomiting, and constipation. If the abdominal wall is tightened, eating smaller meals more frequently is recommended to avoid distention and some abdominal pain. It is always advisable to be on a stool softener to avoid straining after surgery.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Most cases of bloating and discomfort after a tummy tuck results from anesthesia and prescription pain medication impairing your intestines from working appropriately.  This bloating is not affected by the type of food present as much of the material past your stomach is normally of a liquid slurry consistency.  I would also be concerned that a liquid diet may be nutritionally deficient, impacting your healing.  As far as minimizing bloating risks maintain adequate water intake, walk several times a day, transition to non-narcotic pain medication quickly, and start a fiber agent or stool softener such as colace or senna.  Hope that this helps.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

As long as your diet has an appropriate protein and vitamin content, you should be safe to use your liquid diet before surgery. I am not sure that it will make much of a difference with post operative bloating or discomfort, but I suppose it is possible. I have never seen a study that looked at it scientifically.

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

With the right medications a tummy tuck can provide excellent cosmetic results with little discomfort.  The right medications need to be chosen for you by your doctor.  I use a combination of several medications that are proven to provide effective pain relief and to minimize side effects.  With that my patients generally are kept fairly comfortable.As far as not eating, I do not recommend it.  I think that your body should be at its best nutrition and health to yield a speedy recovery.  I would advise you to eat a normal nutritious diet.  I have not found bloating to be an issue in this surgery.  If you are worried, ask your surgeon for a stool softener to help.Dr Rodger ShorttOakville Plastic SurgeonAssistant Clinical Professor &Director of Cosmetic Surgery Training Program,McMaster UniversityOakville, Burlington, Georgetown, Milton, Mississauga, Hamilton, and Toronto.

Dario Felipe Cabello, MD · Answer

Rather than a liquid diet I prefer to prepare my patients for any surgery with a detox therapy that is based on liquid natural products.  It is important for patient to have a balanced nutritional intake for any surgery and specially a tummy tuck, so a complete wound healing and recovery may take place.thanks

Leon Goldstein, MD · Answer

Not necessary but every surgeon has preop preferences. In my opinion it is important to have a healthy well balanced diet for good nutrition to promote recovery.Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

You should discuss this with your
plastic surgeon and have him or her decide what you should and should not be doing. Your surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS).

Robert Singer, MD  FACS
La Jolla, California

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

This is a question that should only be answered by your surgeon. Once you have chosen the doctor to do your surgery you need to follow that surgeon's guidelines both before and after surgery. We each have our own way of doing things.

Should i go on a liquid diet 5 days before having a tummy tuck?

Answers (10)

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