Bowel prep & liquid diet pre surgery for tummy tuck?

Question

Read conflicting info on a bowel prep and luquid diet some days prior to tummy tuck as this will result in less food in my intestines so the organs and stomach will be flatter to help the surgeon pulling my ab muscles extremely tight?

David Rankin, MD · Answer

Some, but not all, surgeons do reccomend some type of bowel cleansing prior to surgery. The reasons are as you mentioned a more flat stomach to help with surgery, but more importantly to potentially help prevent a DVT (blood clot in the legs) from forming. If your colon is full of stool, and then you take pain meds and distend even further, you can put pressure on your venous system which could potentially help to lead to a clot. It is just another precaution which is reasonable to take as safety is always first!

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

In my practice I do not have my patients do a bowel prep preop.  I would not restrict my calories.  You want your body tuned up and ready for the surgery.  In the two weeks prior, I would make sure you take a daily multivitamin and eat a healthy diet including plenty of protein. It is best for you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

I have never hear of anyone recommending a bowel prep for a tummy tuck.  I have never heard of an abdomen full of stool causing a DVT.  These are some outlandish theories.  You cannot do anything to help the surgeon pull your muscles tighter.  You need proper nutrition.

Robert N. Severinac, MD · Answer

I don't think your plastic surgeon wants to pull your muscles "extremely tight" but just firm enough to take up the laxity in your muscular fascial layer.  Some may consider bowel prep and liquid diet overkill but it will make your abdominal contents less full and theoretically make it easier to tighten the abdominal fascia.  These measure will also help with post operative constipation which you really want to avoid.  I do not do bowel preps but do recommend Milk of Magnesia as directed after tummy tuck until the patient has a bowel movement to prevent constipation.  The post operative constipation occurs as a result of narcotic pain medication which slows down the bowels.  It is best to listen to your plastic surgeon and follow her/his directions.

Guido P. Gutter, MD · Answer

As you can see different Plastic Surgeons have a different opinion about a bowel prep.  Considering the facts: Bowel preps are necessary when you have Bowel surgery  and  maybe recommended if and when the abdominal cavity is entered as your bowels maybe "lazy" (ileus) after this type of surgeries. In an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) the abdominal cavity is not entered and "only"  the abdominal wall  (muscles) are tightened.  Therefore a bowel prep in abdominoplasty  maybe a choice (yours or the Surgeons) it is certainly not necessary.

Bowel prep & liquid diet pre surgery for tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

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