During your consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations, and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and previous medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
• Previous surgeries

Your plastic surgeon will:

• Evaluate your general health and any preexisting health conditions or risk factors
• Examine your body and take detailed measurements
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of body contouring and any risks or potential complications

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get cleared for surgery by your bariatric surgeon or primary care doctor
• Get a lab test
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Body contouring surgery should be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, a licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. If your body contouring is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Be sure to ask questions. It's very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your body contouring procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing any concerns with your plastic surgeon.