Natural Fat Transfer
Two weeks prior to surgery
● Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve or medicines that thin your blood
● Tylenol is allowed.
● Stop herbal medications
● Do not drink alcohol, especially red wine
● Do not tan
● Please arrange transportation, you may not drive yourself
● Please arrange to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hrs at home
● Pick up prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications given at your pre-op consult
Night Before Surgery
● Use antibacterial soap like dial or hibiclens
● Shower with particular attention to belly button, groin, breast and underarm areas
● Shave if this is part of your hygiene routine
Morning of Surgery
● Use antibacterial soap like dial or hibiclens
● Shower with particular attention to belly button, groin, breast and underarm areas
● Do not apply lotion, oil, perfume
● Wear dark, loose fitting clothes
● Do not wear makeup, jewelry or contact lenses
● Eat a hearty breakfast including solid food and carbs
Recovery
● You will be dehydrated and low on blood sugar. Drink sugary fluids like Gatorade and Juices
● Anesthesia may make you nauseated, so keep your diet light; carbs are best
● You will ooze blood tinted LIPO FLUID from your incisions. This is not blood. Use pads or towels if needed to soak up fluid.
● Swelling and bruising are a normal expectation following surgery. Most of the swelling will be gone in 3 months but it may take 6 months to 1 year for the final result.
Face
● Sleep with your head elevated on pillows to reduce swelling and bruising
● If you are a side or belly sleeper, you may prefer sleeping on a couch or recliner to prevent accidentally turning on to your face while asleep
● Do not remove foam tape placed at surgery
Buttocks
● Do not sit or lay on your buttocks for 6 weeks
● Sleep on your stomach and sides
● When using the toilet, face the tank, keep your weight off the buttocks if possible
● Take care to lean forward on to your thighs while seated
● It will be difficult to drive so arrange transportation as needed
Breasts
● Wear the provided bra for 4 weeks. No underwire bras.
DO NOT REMOVE compression garment until we see you back in the office.
● After your first office visit you may take a shower and then put a garment back on immediately.
● Wear your compression garment 24/7 except when showering for 2 weeks, then as needed for 1-3 months.
● Foam dressings if applied should be used for 7 days.
● Massage to the surgical sites will help increase circulation and alleviate the hardness felt underneath the skin. Self-massage can begin 1 week after surgery. Lymphatic massage is not necessary, but regular massage can be helpful
● Ask Dr. Gruber prior to starting any physical activity for 4 weeks after surgery
● All incisions will be extremely sensitive to sunlight. Do not tan for 1 month. After that, use a sunscreen with SPF 20 or greater.
● Please take all medication carefully and as directed
Office Visits
● The NEXT DAY FOLLOW UP IS MANDATORY. This appointment allows us to check the fit of your garments and the smoothness of the skin.
● You will receive a follow up phone call 2 weeks and 2 months postop. Please send photos when possible.
Call the office immediately if you have:
● Fever above 101 degrees
● Redness or increased pain at the surgical site
● Severe pain uncontrolled by pain medications
● Rash, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after taking your medications
● Sudden onset of chest pain, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Awake Surgery
Pre-Operative Instructions
Recovery and time off work depends on your health, the type of work you do and the extent of surgery you have. The average patient is off work for 1 week. If a large amount is removed, you may need 2 weeks off. You will not be able to lift objects over 10 pounds for several weeks. If you have young children or high-maintenance pets, please arrange for a helper for at least one week. Please ask your doctor about specific recommendations.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you stop for 2 months before and 1 month after surgery. You may be asked to provide urine samples for nicotine testing, at our office, prior to surgery. You should be completely smoke free, no second-hand smoke, for 3 weeks before your urine test or you will not pass. If you fail your test, your surgery may need to be rescheduled.
Two weeks prior to surgery
● Do not take aspirin (Excedrin), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen(Aleve) or medications that thin your blood. Tylenol is allowed to be taken for pain prior to surgery
● Stop all herbal medications (examples: garlic tablets, gingko, green tea tablets, ginger tablets, St. Johns Wort)
● Stop high dose vitamin A, D and E and oil based supplements such as Omega-3, fish and krill oil
● Do not attempt to lose weight during this time, no crash diets, no very low calorie diets. Rapid weight loss immediately before surgery will deplete your protein stores and make it difficult to heal
● Do not tan, this will damage your skin and make it more difficult to heal
● Please arrange transportation, you may not drive yourself
● Please arrange to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hrs at home
● Pick up prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications given at your pre-op exam
● Purchase 4% Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) surgical soap, available at drugstores.
Two Days Before Surgery
● Do not drink alcohol
Night Before Surgery
● Shower with particular attention to belly button, groin, breast and underarm areas
● Use Dial antibacterial or 4% Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) surgical soap which can be found at drugstores. Let the soap sit on your skin for 5 minutes before washing it off.
Morning of Surgery
● Eat a hearty breakfast including solid food and carbs
● Shower with particular attention to belly button, groin, breast and underarm areas
● Use surgical soap as above
● Do not apply lotion, oil, perfume or deodorant
● Do not wear makeup, jewelry or contact lenses
● Wear dark loose fitting clothes, button down or zip-front shirt, tennis shoes with backs for stability postop
● Bring your prescription medications with you to surgery so we can review them with you and your caregiver. If you use a prescription inhaler or CPAP, this must be brought the day of your surgery.
