What to Expect and How to Prepare for Surgery

NOTE: These are general checklists and may not be comprehensive of each patients’ unique needs. Please follow all directions given to you by your doctor regarding specific, unique post-operative instructions.

before surgery

  • Deposit: Please call our office regarding deposit payment conformation. Discuss surgery date, time, and financing options with our patient care coordinator.

  • Financing: Read more here.

  • DocuSign Forms: Please have all forms on DocuSign completed.

  • Pre-Op Clearance: Obtain medical clearance with your PCP (primary care physician), labs, and possible EKG if you are 50+. This must be submitted two weeks prior to procedure. If medical clearance is not completed or cleared, surgery will have to be canceled. Please email info@theglowaesthetics.com or electronic fax 571-210-4471.

  • Purchase Faja Garment: You may purchase your faja through the Glow. Please contact our office ahead of time. For your convenience, you may need to purchase two fajas. The first one is for stage one of your healing (weeks 1-2) and the second is for stage two (weeks 2-6). Keep in mind that your body is swollen after surgery, and you will be shrinking in size. Below there are more instructions. Our faja cost is $89.

  • Pick Up Prescriptions: Pick up your prescriptions at least 3 days before surgery. Please bring them with you to surgery and do not take prescriptions before the procedure.

  • Please make arrangements to have someone drive you to and from surgery confirmed.

  • Wear loose clothing and remove all jewelry, including piercings. Also remove gel nails off of one finger.

  • General Anesthesia or Twilight Sedation: Patients going to sleep, do not eat, drink, chew gum, gargle, or brush your teeth 8 hours before surgery. Surgery will be canceled.

  • Schedule Follow Up Appointments: It is very important to make sure you come back for your follow up appointments on week 1, 2, 4, and 6 so that we can ensure your healing process is going well. Four follow-up appointments are included free of charge for our patients.

After Surgery

  • You may experience mild to moderate discomfort after your procedure; however, this should be relieved by medications.

  • Discomfort and pain should decrease in the 48 hours after surgery.

  • Drink plenty of fluids (water, Pedialyte, Body Armor). It is easy to become dehydrated after surgery. Dehydration may cause nausea and dizziness.

  • Non-Stick Pads will be placed over the incision sites. You may remove them in 24-48 hours after your procedure. Reapply new non-stick pads if needed.

  • You may shower 24-48 hours after your procedure. During this time you will have the opportunity to wash your garments. You may want to have someone assist you during your first shower. At times patients may feel dizzy and nauseous.

  • It is normal for swellings and skin discoloration (bruising) to exist at the surgical areas. Bruising may feel lumpy and hard to the touch. This is normal, and usually subsides within 4 to 6 weeks. The amount of swelling will vary with each individual.

  • Drainage massages are extremely important to push out fluids. Please make sure you work on drainage on the first night up to day 4 to reduce fluid buildup. Excess fluids come from anesthesia, and please note that there will be a lot of fluid coming out of your incisions. This is normal.

  • Your doctor and clinician will be providing you with prescriptions. Please adhere to their instructions very carefully.

Restrictions

  • No heavy lifting (>25lbs), strenuous activity, or straining for 3 weeks.

  • Please avoid all forms of nicotine for two weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor and may increase risks of unnecessary post-operative complications. In general, be aware that smoking or the use of unauthorized medications can lead to complications and jeopardize the results of your surgery.

  • Do not use heating pads unless advised by the physician.

  • Do not apply ice directly onto the skin, as you may still have areas of numbness.

  • Do not go into a hot tub or hot bath until cleared by the doctor.

  • Do not touch your incision/scar with your hands.

Compression/Faja Garment

  • Wear your compression garment for approximately 23 hours a day after surgery. You may remove it only for short periods of time to shower, go to the bathroom, or wash the garment.

  • This garment is an essential factor in promoting a safe and comfortable recovery period. The garment compresses the involved area to reduce swelling (edema) and ecchymosis (bruising) and encourages the skin to shrink evenly.

  • We recommend purchasing 2 garments so that you can interchange them. Wear one while you wash the other one. It is very important to keep your garments clean. Please wash them daily.

  • You may use foam/boards if you choose (for patients receiving abdominal/back lipo).

For Patients that Receive Fat Grafting

  • Do not sit on your buttocks for three weeks after your procedure. One of the most important things after a BBL is the survival of the grafted fat. Pressure on the buttocks can kill grafted fat.

  • A donut pillow is recommended after your procedure to help you sit. Or, you can find a BBL pillow that goes under the things.

  • Do not put direct pressure onto the grafted area for 3 weeks.

in the Case of An Emergency

  • If you have a fever of 102 or higher

  • IF you experience any difficulty breathing or swallowing

  • If after 48 hours you have increased pain, bruising, or swelling

  • IF you have persistent nausea or vomiting and have been constipated for 3 days

  • If you are experiencing any adverse reactions or symptoms that you do not understand

Please contact a doctor immediately.