How Do I Prepare for Surgery?

During the first appointment with the surgeon, patients should discuss expectations and concerns to make sure the surgery will achieve the desired look. Remember - a tummy tuck will improve the body's shape, but will not achieve perfection.

After the exam, the surgeon will discuss treatment options and recommend the best option to achieve the goals.

During the consultation, the surgeon should explain:

• The procedure

• Benefits, risks and costs

• Recovery time

Follow The Doctor's Orders

The doctor will instruct the patient how to prepare for surgery, such as when to stop eating and drinking before the operation. In addition, the surgeon may advise these precautions:

• Female patients taking oral contraceptives should stop taking it and use another birth control method until after the surgery. This reduces the risk of getting a blood clot in the legs.

• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for seven to 10 days before surgery. These drugs contribute to bleeding during and after surgery. Some vitamins and herbs also affect bleeding, so patients should ask their doctor which nutritional supplements they should avoid.

• Patients who smoke should stop smoking for a time before and after the surgery if the surgeon recommends it. Smokers are at risk of getting a chest infection after anesthesia. Also, smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, which can raise the risk of circulation problems after surgery.

  For further inforamtion about how to stop smoking, go to Smoking: How to Stop.

Some patients have abdominoplasty on an outpatient basis, allowing them to go home the same day of surgery. Others are admitted to the hospital for a brief hospital stay.