Preparing for your surgery well in advance can ascertain that you have all that you need, and in ample time to make changes, or order special  items.  Making a list with the help of your surgeon and other patients, or utilizing our suggestions below can certainly help when you feel overwhelmed by what to do and buy in preparation.  The below PDF files were compiled with the help of qualified plastic surgeons and personal experience.  They do not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of your own surgeon.  These lists are given as examples and you should only abide by your own surgeon's wishes.

PDF Versions For Print-Out

• Consultation Preparation Print Out
• Questions To Ask Your Surgeon At Your Consultation
• Medications & Supplements To Avoid Before Surgery List
• Pre-operative Shopping List
• Preparing Your Recovery Area
• Surgery Day Instructions Example
• Helpful Tips and Suggestions For After Your Surgery
• What To Do In The Event of An Emergency During Recovery
• Emotional Preparation Reminder Checklist
• Preparing For Your Post-operative Appointment

Your Pre-Operative Appointment
After your initial consultation, you may book a surgery date.  If you choose to book, whether at the office, or via phone, you will schedule your pre-operative appointment.  A pre-operative appointment is used to further evaluate your needs as a patient, answer any remaining questions you may have, and to clarify your expectations of what is possible. 

This appointment is also to help you prepare for your surgery.  You will be given a list of the supplies that you will need to buy that will your recovery go well, plus prescriptions for medications (or they may be called into your pharmacy, so have that number handy).  You will take before photos for your file and also be given any pertinent paperwork and waivers. 

You will also be instructed to have lab work performed and possibly a complete physical.  This depends upon the surgeon, your age, your state of your health, or any pre-existing health conditions that you might have.  You will also be given a list of medications to avoid before your surgery.  Here is a partial list: Medications & Supplements To Avoid Before Surgery List 

Smoking
If you are a smoker, you will be advised to quit immediately.  In fact, you may be told that you will have to post-pone your surgery until the nicotine has been out of your system long enough so that it does not affect you while under anesthesia, and also while healing.  This includes nicotine patches and vapor cigarettes as well.  Smoking also increases the chances of airway irritation which may trigger constriction and coughing while under anesthesia.  Smoking also hinders healing and can cause your scars to heal poorly.

We have provided a list for your convenience below:

Preparing Your Recovery Area - DOWNLOAD .PDF PRINTABLE VERSION
Preparing your recovery area is very important and can make all the difference in the world.  Searching for Kleenex, medications, and even something to eat can expend a lot of energy that you and your caretaker do not have to spare.  Having all of the necessary items on hand, within arms reach, can make your recovery more pleasurable, or at the very least easier.

• You should clean your house a few days before your surgery so that you will have time to relax the night before.  This includes laundry, the kitchen, dishes, and the bathroom you will be using.

• If you have children, arrange for them to be cared for by a family member if you can. The grandparents may look forward to the visit and you could use the break the first few days.

• For your four legged "children", arrange for your caretaker to take care of walks, cat box cleanings, etc.   If you cannot have them taken care of, be sure their food is easily accessible.  You will more than likely have to bend down, but please do so with caution and bend at the knees carefully. Remember to get up slowly and brace yourself for balance.

• If you will not have someone to prepare your every meal, have easy to cook (as in microwavable, or easily heated) meals on hand.  Or cook your own and freeze them for heating up later. Choose healthful meals and snacks.

• If you can, place all of your needed foods and other items within easy reach, preferably at hip level.  Including your silverware and can opener!

• Purchase several bags of frozen peas, usually 3 "sets" of what you will require for icing.  This way you will always have a fully frozen set when you need it.  Remember to place the bags in the freezer at least the day before your surgery.

• Make helpful lists which your caretaker or significant other may need. This may include thermostat settings, bill due dates, delivery dates, etc.  Things that you can not take care of in advance, but that you usually take care of, may be confusing to others.

• Place the toiletries you will need, such as extra toilet paper, within reach so that you do not have to reach, bend over, or climb up to get them.

• Have an area set up on your nightstand for your medications, with a medication organizer (with day and time dose compartments), and a written back up schedule/check list.

• Place several bottles of bottled water and plain, low sodium crackers on your nightstand.

• Place your vomit pail (coffee tub with lid) within easy reach as well.

• Place Wetnaps, Kleenex and a roll of paper towels within reach.

• Place a digital thermometer near the bed so that you will be reminded to take your temperature.  It is a good idea to assign a time schedule for your readings, for instance before you take your AM and PM medications.  Write this on your checklist.

• Make sure your remote controls have fresh batteries, or are fully charged.

• Rent or download movies, video games, purchase books or magazines, or download digital or audio books in advance so that you will have something to do when you are not sleeping.

• Have your cellphone, charger cord, and a power supply nearby as well.  You can use your cellphone in an emergency and also to call or text for your caretaker.

• Have your MP3 player and earbuds nearby with its charger as well

• Set up your bed with plenty of pillows including body pillows or "husband" pillows if you have any.  if you have a recliner, you may wish to sleep there instead.

• Place an extra blanket or throw easily within reach.

• Although you will be spending all of your time in a compression garment, you may want to wear comfortable pajamas or sweats over them.   Again, tops which close via buttons or snaps will be easiest for you.  The easiest would be a robe as, it is difficult to put on pajamas after abdominoplasty surgery.

• If you wear slippers, make sure they have grip on the soles.  If you choose to wear socks without grip, take care when walking on slippery surfaces.

• Make sure your laptop is charged and that you have a power supply nearby.  Especially if you are going to document your experience for a journal.

• Make sure you have your digital camera fully charged and has an empty memory stick (or disposable camera). 

• Make a list of your emergency numbers for your caretaker, or for you, to find easily in the event that you might need them.

Shopping List DOWNLOAD .PDF PRINTABLE VERSION
Here are some suggestions for your pre-operative shopping lists. 

Pharmacy

Medications: 

• prescribed pain medications

• prescribed antibiotics

• prescribed anti-inflammatory medications

• prescribed anti-anxiety medications

• over the counter (OTC) sleep medications or ask your surgeon for a prescription

• prescribed medications the patient normally takes on a day to day or weekly basis (birth control)

Supplements & Vitamins

• Arnica montana

• Topical arnica montana

• Bromelain

• Vitamin C, or Vicon C

Miscellaneous Medications

• Mild stool softeners

• Antacids

Other Supplies:

• medication organizer or pill case (with days of the week and times)

• medication Time Schedule for when to administer medications

• dressings, sponges, gauze,

• triple antibiotic ointments

• antibacterial soap

• digital thermometer

• silicone sheeting, Mederma

• Wetnaps

• heating pad

• moisturizer

• Kleenex

Grocery Store

• bags of frozen peas

• plain, low sodium crackers

• bottled water

• frozen dinners

• low sodium soups (no Ramen)

• Jello-O

• fresh fruit

Department Store, Online Store, or Other

• Surgical Bras and other Compression Garments if needed (medical quality only)

• extra pillows (varying in firmness), body pillows

• digital camera with memory card

• journal (or use your laptop)

• movie rentals or downloads

• books, magazines, audio books, Kindle downloads

• empty plastic coffee tub with lid (for nausea)

• batteries for remote

• pajamas, robe, or oversized, comfortable shirts that button in the front

• slippers (with grip on the soles)

• hand mirror

• small flashlight for late night bathroom trips if you cannot get to the light switch easily.  Sometimes pain medications can also cause confusion upon awaking, and you don't want to walk into a wall.

• a nightlight, if you want to avoid the above and are able to sleep with a little light, a low level nightlight may be better than having to fumble for, and hold, a flashlight.