#postOPP Instructions
WORRYING…Is OUR job. If you have any questions or concerns related to your surgery that we have not discussed or that have not been covered in these instructions, please call! We are always here to help.
MEDICATIONS
TESTING & LABS
DIET
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
DRAIN CARE (Optional)
- Please review the #PostOPP Medication List below and have all prescriptions filled prior to your surgical date.
TESTING & LABS
- Hematocrits are performed in office by finger-stick test and are required for patients undergoing liposuction and tummy tuck.
- Mammograms are required for patients 40 and over who are having breast surgery.
DIET
- You should have a light meal the evening before your surgery. If you’re having Anesthesia, don’t eat anything 8 hours before surgery.
- DO NOT consume alcohol 1 week before surgery and 1 week after surgery. If you are still taking pain medications, DO NOT CONSUME ANY ALCOHOL.
- A simple diet consisting of high protein and low sodium is recommended after surgery.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Shower with Surgical Scrub the day of surgery, with focused cleansing of the surgical areas as directed (e.g. belly button).
- Avoid using body lotions or perfumes on the day of surgery. Deodorant is OK!
- Please remove nail polish, gel, acrylic from both index fingers.
- Remove all metal and jewelry piercings. Do not wear contacts; glasses are OK.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing; i.e. sweats and zip up hoodies (ideally a robe if you're having a tummy tuck)
- For women: it is ok to be on your period and you may wear a tampon to the surgery center. Please notify the preOPP nurse on arrival.
DRAIN CARE (Optional)
- If you're having liposuction, a tummy tuck, a breast reduction or a complex breast revision, you may have drains.
- Drains are thin tubes that collect fluid and blood from your incision
- STRIP and RECORD your drains daily
- This means "squeegee" the drain tubes to prevent them from becoming blocked, and
- Measure the amount of fluid that accumulates in the bulb
- Once a day for each drain
- The bulb of the drain (aka "grenade") collects the fluid
- It works like a beach ball or pool float with a plug
- The bulb should be squeezed so that it is collapsed and suctioning
- Drains are typically removed in 3-5 days. Hang in there!
- Drain removal is NOT painful,
- A small suture will be trimmed and the drain easily slides out
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Please be available and "on call" on the day of surgery. Your surgery time may move to earlier in the day so please be ready!
- On the day of surgery, you will have:
- A urine pregnancy test
- A nicotine test
- An IV placed in the pre-op area (if you’re having Anesthesia)
- Netflix
- Dr. OPP will check on you beforehand, perform surgical markings, and make sure all of your questions are answered
- Make sure to have a friend or family member present for transportation and support purposes, unless you are having local anesthesia only, in which case you may drive yourself to and from the surgery center.
- Our emergency line is for patients who are experiencing extreme sudden swelling or pain, have a fever > 101 or chills, have excessive drainage from your incisions, have difficulty breathing or develop redness at your surgical site.
- All of your garments and bras will be provided after surgery.
- We got this!
Medication List
Current Medications
Antibiotics/Antifungals/Antivirals:
For Pain:
For Muscle Spasm:
For Nausea/Itching:
For DVT Prevention (Tummy Tuck only):
Before Surgery:
- Most of your current medications (thyroid, blood pressure) may be continued.
- Most supplements and vitamins are safe to continue. Please let us know.
- Birth control is OK, unless you are having a tummy tuck, in which case it should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery.
- In addition, two weeks before surgery, please stop taking:
- Aspirin and NSAIDS like ibuprofen or Advil
- Phentermine or other stimulants like Adderall
- Delayed gastric emptying drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, etc.
Antibiotics/Antifungals/Antivirals:
- Keflex (cephalexin) 500mg, 1 tab 3 times a day for 10 days
- Amoxicillin (amoxal) 875mg, 1 tab 2 times a day to prevent infection
- Diflucan (fluconazole) 100mg, 1 tab by mouth for yeast infection prevention. If symptoms persist in 72 hours repeat x1 by taking 1 additional tab by mouth (labiaplasty only)
For Pain:
- Prescription pain medications
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) 500mg, 2 tabs every 8 hours as needed **
- Ultram (tramadol) 50mg, 1 tab every 4-6 hours as needed
For Muscle Spasm:
- Robaxin (methocarbamol) 500mg, 1 tab every 4-6 hours as needed
For Nausea/Itching:
- Zofran (ondansetron) 8mg, 1 tab every 8 hours as needed
For DVT Prevention (Tummy Tuck only):
- Aspirin 81mg, 1 tab daily by mouth for DVT prevention for 15 days after surgery
Before Surgery:
- Iron (ferrous sulfate) 325mg tab, 1 tab by mouth daily, start today (only if you have anemia)
- Colace (docusate) 100mg, 1 tab every 8 hours, start day before surgery and continue until pain medications are complete (to prevent constipation)
- Over the counter medications
New! Lymphatic Massage Protocols
I recommend a series of 2 massage treatments per week for the first 4 weeks after your tummy tuck. Your drains are removed at 1 week postOPP and massages begin at that same appointment with our expert masseuse.
Lymphatic massage has 3 key benefits to improve your recovery process:
Lymphatic massage has 3 key benefits to improve your recovery process:
- Reduces swelling and bruising
- Lowers pain levels
- Prevents fibrosis for smoother results
Surgery Center Caregiver Instructions
Caregiver Request
An adult caregiver needs to be present for your initial admission and discharge on the day of surgery. The nurse will contact your caregiver when you are ready to be seen in recovery and will then review discharge instructions.
Visitor Rules
One visitor at a time in the recovery area. No visitors in the pre-op area. No outside food for the patient. Visitors may come and go at nurse’s discretion. If there’s more than one visitor at a time, then they may switch out. No children please.
Office Hours
The Surgery Center office hours are between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. SoDo is a rapidly growing area with many close attractions for your caregiver to visit.
Phone/Electronic Devices
Please be courteous to others with your use of phones and electronic devices in the waiting area. Guests are encouraged to step outside for extended phone calls. Calls/entertainment may not be on speaker phone. No photos or video to protect other guests’ privacy.
Animals
Service Animals only. Emotional support animals and other pets are not allowed in the building.
Smoking
This is a non-smoking property. Smoking is not allowed on the property or in the parking lot.
An adult caregiver needs to be present for your initial admission and discharge on the day of surgery. The nurse will contact your caregiver when you are ready to be seen in recovery and will then review discharge instructions.
Visitor Rules
One visitor at a time in the recovery area. No visitors in the pre-op area. No outside food for the patient. Visitors may come and go at nurse’s discretion. If there’s more than one visitor at a time, then they may switch out. No children please.
Office Hours
The Surgery Center office hours are between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. SoDo is a rapidly growing area with many close attractions for your caregiver to visit.
Phone/Electronic Devices
Please be courteous to others with your use of phones and electronic devices in the waiting area. Guests are encouraged to step outside for extended phone calls. Calls/entertainment may not be on speaker phone. No photos or video to protect other guests’ privacy.
Animals
Service Animals only. Emotional support animals and other pets are not allowed in the building.
Smoking
This is a non-smoking property. Smoking is not allowed on the property or in the parking lot.
Recovery Timelines
Labiaplasty
Breast Augmentation
Tummy Tuck/Mommy Makeover
Liposuction & BBL
Breast Lift/Reduction
Submental Liposuction
CO2 Laser Resurfacing #postOPP Instructions
Post Botox & Filler Instructions
Post IPL Photofacial Instructions
Post Botox & Filler Instructions
Post IPL Photofacial Instructions
