Is it OK to take a Magnesium Citrate Oral Solution before a surgery, and if so, when?

Thanks for the question.Magnesium citrate can illicit a pretty quick response. You probably should be done with it 2 days before surgery and no later than the morning before surgery.There are some more gentle laxatives on the market, but you will need to discuss that with your surgeon.The important thing is not to procrastinate and take the medicine the evening before surgery. If you do this, you will have an unpleasant night and morning of surgery.Good Luck.

and some may feel Mg Citrate can be too dehydrating.  I allow my patients to pick either double dose Milk of Magnesia at bedtime two nights before surgery or one bottle Mg Citrate after lunch the day before surgery and to expect diarrhea 6 hours later.  They are encouraged to drink a lot of sport drinks to stay hydrated following the Mg Citrate.  This has worked well for me for my career and eliminates constipation issues early in your recovery.

Thanks for sharing your question. I can appreciate your concern.

Emptying your abdomen of stool to try to get a better outcome with your tummy tuck seems to have good sense. However, you need to be careful of loosing too much water. Dehydration could be counter productive in preparation for your surgery.
Finally, make sure that you have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Wishing you the best in your journey

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: It is difficult to say what is exactly happening with your case without a physical examination, testing or having done your surgery. It is imperative that you have a thorough examination by a board-certified surgeon. Only then, you may weight better the options to fix your current concerns.

Probably best no sooner than two days before. You don't want to create any systemic fluid/electrolyte imbalances that may be present the day of surgery.

Mag Citrate is an effective laxative to clean out your bowels.  I would suggest taking it 2 days before surgery to clean out the large bowel and then eat a high fiber diet until your surgery.  You may monitor your bowels postoperatively, use a stool softener postop and if no movement within the first 2-3 days after surgery, use another laxative.  The citrate of magnesia might be a bit much postoperatively unless you are around 5 days post op with continued difficulties moving your bowels.Good luck with your surgery.Dr T

Mag Citrate is a good laxative, but individual response is variable. In any event you will not want to take it the day of surgery. Take it two or three days pre-op then limit your diet until your surgery. If you are having abdominal surgery your post op course will be easier if you can go a couple of days without having a bowel movement just for the logistics of foolling with your compression garment.