Preparing For Liposuction

You've Scheduled Your Appointment - Now What!?

Now is the time for you to have second thoughts, run around looking for supplies, experience anxiety and have your life in an emotional upheaval. For many, this is a very stressful time - but it doesn't have to be. It is perfectly natural for you to be freaking out now that surgery is a few weeks away. Just following the advice composed with the help of real patients and things will go much more smoothly.

The Pre-Operative Appointment

If you schedule a surgery date you will more than likely schedule a pre-operative visit appointment, as well. This will entail another trip to the surgeon's office or an independent lab for bloodwork to check your red and white blood cell counts (a CBC test), among other things. And please quit smoking now. It will highly reduce your risk of necrotic tissue. Do not take any chances with this. Smoking and a surgery like this can significantly alter your body's ability to re-vascularize the treatment area and not heal well at all. This is your life.

You will also be given (or should be given) a list of medications that you must cease or avoid taking. These medications will mostly be aspirin-containing products and supplements that may inhibit clot formation or cause problems with anesthesia. However medications which may cause clotting (such as Vitamin K) may be prohibited - do ask your surgeon. Please visit the Medication & Supplement List page for more information or Click Here to view a Printable List of Medications To Avoid.

You will also be given a list of things to buy or have around you in your healing room. Things like frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries for icing you down to ease the swelling and bruising. You may be asked to buy antibacterial soap, perhaps Hibiclens, or it will be given to you for cleansing a few days before surgery (to kill Staph and other surface bacteria). Some surgeons simply suggest Dial antibacterial soap. You will usually get gauze, "maxi-pads" and other types of dressings to tend to your incision areas. We have provided a list for your convenience below or you may click the link for a printable version to have on hand.

Making Your Home Post-op Proof

You've probably heard of "child proofing" but post-op proofing? This is the act of preparing your home for your recovery. Please utilize the following tips to better prepare you to an unfrazzled and more comfortable recovery...

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Pre-op Proofing Your Recovery Area

  • Clean your house - or have it cleaned

  • Unless you are lucky and have a significant other that can cook, shop for recovery food and treats like pudding, Jell-O, frozen dinners; or cook your own and freeze it.

  • Take out the trash, recyclables, etc. so you don't have to worry about it

  • Have all of your laundry taken care of

  • Make a "Honey Do" list (bills, thermostat settings, errands, whatever). Sometimes our significant others can be quite helpless without us

  • Purchase all of your medications, Vitamin C and dressings beforehand in case your pharmacy is in short supply.

  • Place all medications either in a weekly pill "case" or in labeled containers, by day and time if need be.

  • Have lots of movies, books, magazines or videogames on hand.

  • A laptop is an awesome thing to have during recovery - have computer batteries/AC adaptors on hand

  • If no lap top, maybe a Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo set up near you - you will get bored.

  • Have someone watch your dog, cat, children, pet rock, whatever.

  • If you can't have them cared for, tend to their needs beforehand, i.e. put cans of food on the counter with the can opener so you don't have to reach for it. Change the litter box as well. You don't want to expose yourself to these germs!

  • Have lots of fluffy pillows on hand

  • A comfortable recliner is a good thing, if not the bed is perfectly fine.

  • Have a bucket or pail at your bedside and on the ride home - essential. Make sure it has a lid, you don't want to stare at it or smell it afterwards.

  • A nightstand with all of your medications, ample light, bottled water, a few packages of crackers, remote control (with new batteries!) & the phone (fully charged!)

  • Have a nightlight set up so you don't fall during late night bathroom trips.

  • Extra blankets, anesthesia can give you the "chills" after surgery

  • Have old or dark towels to place under your body to prohibit staining from the tumescent fluid, Betadine and blood which may leak from your incisions.

  • A heating pad, hot water bottle or microwaveable pack is great for a sore back (which you will get for sure!)

  • A "go-fer" - a significant other or an older child will suffice

  • Have some crackers, Cheeze-its or Goldfish to help alleviate nausea - especially on the way home - bring a bottle of water to for the ride home. Sipping cool water helps alleviate nausea as well as gets rid of the taste in your mouth if you do vomit.

  • Place anything you may need at hip level. This means canned and dry goods in the kitchen and toiletries in the bathroom.

  • Have your trusty robe and slippers (or several pair of thick socks) nearby

  • Have a few comfortable oversized shirts that open from the front on hand, as well as some loose sweat pants or pajama bottoms.

  • Have a hand mirror nearby so you don't have to get up to preen, or to check your teeth and nose, ha ha!

  • If you have long hair, a few "scrunchies" are great to put your hair back with to keep it out of your face, unknotted and out of the way.

  • Have a good moisturizer on hand - a must!

  • A box of Kleenex is great to have on hand, especially if you get all emotional from your meds or the anesthesia.

  • Make time for yourself before your surgery; pour a bath, light some candles, listen to some music - relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind.

  • The night before (and with some surgeons for 3 days before) you will be asked to wash with Dial antibacterial or Hibiclens soap to help rid your body of its naturally occurring Staph on the skin's surface - you don't want a Staph infection!

  • Wash your hair the night before surgery - it may be a long time before you get to do that again.

  • Remove any fingernail and toenail polish.

  • Talk to your spouse about any concerns that you may have, they may have some insights or questions you haven't thought of - and they may be experiencing pre-op anxiety as well.

  • Ask your surgeon for valium or ask if you may take an over the counter sleeping medication. These may help with tense muscles and tense minds.

  • "Black out" your windows so that when you do get to sleep - regardless of the hours - you can stay asleep.

  • If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes - have a Discman (or walkman) on hand with your favorite relaxing CD's.

  • Have fresh film or a disposable "post-op photo" camera on hand. Especially if you are considering documenting your procedure online (on a personal site or a liposuction site like this one)

  • Have your journal and a few fresh, fully inked pens ready if you are wanting to document your post-operative thoughts in writing. Or if you are like me it is easier to type it into that lap top or speak it into a miniature recorder. Remember fresh batteries!

  • Just in case the lights go out, have a flash light on your nightstand.

  • Place nightlights to light your way to the bathroom (or have the aforementioned flashlight on hand) should the need arise during the night.

  • If you don't have a laptop and you have online friends who are dying to hear from you - have your significant other or friend "post" or email them with your recovery news. We worry, okay? Give them a list of the addresses and URLs

  • Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep is so annoying. Don't forget to turn down the sound and turn off the ringer.

  • Although it is very difficult to do, try not to try on old clothes to see how small you are now. But remember when you do break down and peek or try on clothes, your body changes every day so don't get discouraged. You are swollen - realize it!

  • Take post-operative photos if you are opting to document your recovery.

  • Last but not least, RELAX. If you are super stressed out it can really affect your recovery. Try to remember that you will heal, you will be less sore and that you are going to look great! Just be patient.

Pre-op Shopping

All of the above suggestions and products you should buy may be overwhelming at first so print out our helpful shopping list to help you with your pre-op woes.

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Liposuction Pre-operative Shopping List

Of course not all of the below is needed - it is only provided for ideas and for general convenience. Many of you may have a majority of the below items.I have also added blank spaces for items that you may want or need that we have not thought of.

Pharmacy/Online:

  1. ____ Medications:

    1. ___ pain meds __________________________________

    2. ___ antibiotics __________________________________

    3. ___ anti-inflammatory _____________________________

    4. ___ blood pressure (if applicable)____________________

    5. ___ other ______________________________________

    6. ___ other ______________________________________

    7. ___ other ______________________________________

  2. ___ Pill Case

  3. ___ Med Time Chart of when to take your meds.

  4. ___ Birth Control meds - don't forget if you are taking birth control that some antibiotics can interfere so in the event that you do have relations, use another form of protection as well.

  5. ___ dressings, gauze, Bacitracin

  6. ___ Hibiclens or antibacterial soap

  7. ___ Arnica Montana & Bromelain www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com

  8. ___ over the counter (OTC) sleep meds or ask surgeon for prescription

  9. ___ Thermometer

  10. ___ Mild stool softeners (like Colace) ask your surgeon

  11. ___ silicone sheeting, Cimeosil, Kelocote, steri-strips, Mederma, etc.

  12. ___ Moist Towelettes, Make-up remover towelettes

  13. ___ topical arnica(not to be placed on suture line)

  14. ___ Oral Vitamin C

  15. ___ support garment(s)

  16. ___ OTC (over the counter) muscle relaxers (ask your surgeon first!)

  17. ___ hot water bottles/heating pads for your back

  18. ___ hand moisturizer

  19. ___ boxes of Kleenex

Grocery Store:

  1. ___ bags of peas, berries (or whatever, if applicable)

  2. ___ Ritz crackers, Vanilla Wafers, Cheeze-its or Goldfish crackers (No Garlic flavored)

  3. ___ bottled water, electrolyte or energy drinks (ask surgeon if these are okay)

  4. ___ Daikon (root vegetable for cleansing the bowels) - may be best after you are finished with your medications.

  5. ___ Frozen dinners

  6. ___ pudding and Jell-O

  7. ___ fruit

  8. ___ cookies and other snacks

  9. ___ ________________________________________

  10. ___ _________________________________________

  11. ___ _________________________________________

  12. ___ _________________________________________

Department Store or Other:

  1. ___ LOTS of fluffy pillows

  2. ___ old towels to avoid stained linen from the tumescent fluid, Betadine or blood

  3. ___ whistle, walkie-talkie or an intercom system

  4. ___ camera

  5. ___ film or disposable camera

  6. ___ journal

  7. ___ ink pens

  8. ___ support garment(s) if not gotten online

  9. ___ Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo

  10. ___ bucket or pail with lid (for nausea)

  11. ___ fresh batteries for remote, Gameboy, Discman, booklight, phone, etc.

  12. ___ pj's, robe, or oversized, comfortable shirts that buttons in the front

  13. ___ pair of slippers (or several pair of thick socks)

  14. ___ hand mirror

  15. ___ hair "scrunchies" (if applicable)

  16. ___ Music CD's (or MP3 player)

  17. ___ Body pillow(s)

  18. ___ flash light or nightlight for late night bathroom trips

  19. ___ answering machine (or borrow friend's)

  20. ___ lap top with long phone cord (or borrow friend's)

  21. ___ ______________________________________________

  22. ___ ______________________________________________

  23. ___ ______________________________________________

  24. ___ ______________________________________________

  25. ___ ______________________________________________

  26. ___ ______________________________________________

Post-operative Appointment List

The below list will help you prepare and remember what you may wish to speak to your surgeon about post-operatively.

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Post-operative Appointment Check List

Post-operative Appointments are for the surgeon to gauge your progress and assess any further needs you may have to improve your results or experience and for you to share your thoughts, express concerns or simply gush with happiness about your outcome. Here are some tips you may find useful to help you prepare for these appointments and get you through them. Hopefully you will have determined the cost issues of future post-operative check ups.

Prepare your thoughts and go over any concerns or comments you'd like to make known about the below issues:

  1. ___ drains and dressings

  2. ___ swelling or bloating

  3. ___ bruising

  4. ___ hardness of treatment areas

  5. ___ sensitivity

  6. ___ pain & discomfort

  7. ___ shape

  8. ___ asymmetry

  9. ___ pressure or support garments

  10. ___ scar therapy (silicone sheeting and/or gels, paper tape & Retin A)

  11. ___ exercise or activity

  12. ___ other procedures

  13. ___ _________________________________________________

  14. ___ _________________________________________________

  15. ___ _________________________________________________

Don't be afraid to discuss any concerns you may have or any dissatisfaction you may be feeling. Just be sure that you knew that you are still healing and will continue to heal for several months before you can judge your outcome. Some complications or undesirable attributes can be seen within a few days or weeks whereas some may take a few months. Please see our Liposuction4You.com Message Board for support from real liposuction patients who have had or are presently experiencing similar feelings.

Notes:

__________________________________________
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__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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__________________________________________

What to Look For & What to Do In Case of a Complication

Be prepared! and stay calm - here is a list which tells you what to look for and what to do in case anything unexpected happens.

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What to Look For & What to Do In Case of a Complication

Please contact your surgeon or the on-call physician immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • uncontrollable bleeding (not lots of leaking orangish fluid) from your incisions

  • sudden darkening under the skin with swelling (hematoma)

  • pus or cloudy discharge from your incision areas

  • a foul odor from your incision areas

  • uncontrollable pain

  • forming of blisters or holes

  • temperature over 101° F

  • inability to pass waste (both liquid and solid)

  • red streaks traveling up limbs or chest

  • uncontrollable dizziness not related to the pain relievers

Please contact your surgeon or the on-call physician AND go to the emergency room as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • passing blood through urine, feces or spitting up blood

  • abrupt and severe swelling and discoloration (aside from normal swelling)

  • blackening of the skin (which is clearly NOT a bruise)

  • greenish-black tint around wound edges

  • uncontrollable vomiting

  • loss of consciousness not related to sedatives

  • temperature over 105° F

  • convulsions

What to do in case of a complication:

  • #1 STAY CALM

  • Have your emergency numbers handy and contact, or have your caretaker contact, your surgeon or the on-call physician to let them know of your problem as soon as you can.

  • If you are going to the emergency room don't forget to tell your surgeon WHICH hospital

  • Bring all of your medications with you to the hospital

  • It may be cautionary to pack an overnight bag ahead of time "just in case"

  • If you are able, keep a written journal (and if possible photos) of your symptoms and complaints

Emergency Numbers:

Surgeon: __________________________________________
Emergency On-call Physician: _________________________
Hospital: _____________________________
Pharmacy: ___________________________
Parents: _________________________
Friend: __________________________
Other: ______________________

Swelling & Bruising Recommendations

Want help in the swelling and bruising department? Maybe some Arnica montana or Bromelain Some patients even drink pineapple juice. Please read those sections for more information and always ask your surgeon before taking any medication or homeopathic remedy.

 

 
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