How to Prepare for Body Contouring Surgery

Tue 9th Jun 2026

Body Contouring procedures are usually performed on individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight or have undergone pregnancy, so it’s likely you’ve already had quite a journey. You may have spent months or even years reducing your body weight, which is a fantastic achievement. However, now that the weight is gone, you’re left with excess sagging skin, which can only be addressed with surgery.

Preparing for your Body Contouring surgery is an experience in itself. There’s much to do and much to plan. This article tells you how to prepare for the big day so that you give yourself the best possible chance of a smoother, calmer, more optimal recovery.

Preparing for Surgery: Months Ahead

REACH A STABLE WEIGHT

We strongly advise that you reach a stable weight before surgery. In fact, you should be within 9 kg of your sustainable weight and confident that you can maintain it in the future. If you think you might lose considerably more weight, it’s best to do this before the procedure, as this may affect the results and possibly require more surgery.

OPTIMISE NUTRITION

You want your body to be in the best possible health before your surgical procedure, so make sure you’re following a nutrient-dense diet. Focus on foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and protein to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

If you’re not sure how to optimise your diet or feel you’d like some professional help, reach out to your GP so they can put you in touch with a qualified dietitian.

Preparing For Surgery: Weeks Ahead

As your surgery date draws closer, Dr Dona will require you to have specific preoperative tests. These are to ensure that you are healthy enough for the anaesthesia and that your body is prepared to heal optimally. Every individual is different, with different issues; however, common preoperative tests and evaluations include:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures haemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets to check for anaemia and assess your body’s clotting ability.
Comprehensive or Basic Metabolic Panel (CMP/BMP): Assesses electrolyte levels, kidney and liver function and blood glucose.
Coagulation Studies (PT/INR and PTT): Evaluates blood clotting time to manage bleeding risks during and after the procedure.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This records the electrical activity of your heart to detect a problem. It is usually required for patients over 40 years or those with a history of heart conditions.
Nutritional panel: This is particularly important for patients who have experienced massive weight loss or use GLP-1 medications (e.g., Mounjaro, Ozempic)
Chest X-Ray: Examines your lungs and heart, and is often requested if you have a history of asthma, smoking or lung conditions.
Cotinine Test: A blood test used to screen for nicotine use. Most surgeons typically mandate that patients be nicotine-free for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
Psychological Assessment: Sometimes, a formal psychological evaluation is recommended, particularly if you’ve experienced massive weight loss. This ensures that you have realistic expectations and you’re ready for recovery.
Pregnancy Test: A standard test to ensure that you’re not pregnant before having a general anaesthetic.

Reviewing Your Medications & Supplements

It’s vital that you provide Dr Dona with a list of all your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and supplements that you take. This helps prevent serious complications such as blood pressure fluctuations, severe bleeding and even dangerous reactions to anaesthesia.

Remember, it’s not just for prescription medications that we need to know about. There are many over-the-counter items and herbal remedies that can unexpectedly interfere with surgical drugs, so think through your list carefully and include everything that you take.

Reasons to review everything you take include:

Avoiding anaesthesia interference – Some herbal products can alter or prolong how your body responds to anaesthesia and sedatives
Preventing excessive bleeding – Some everyday supplements, like fish oil, garlic, and vitamin E, along with pain relievers like aspirin or Ibuprofen, have natural blood-thinning properties. These can lead to dangerous and difficult-to-control bleeding during or after surgery.
Managing blood pressure or heart rate – Certain ingredients can cause dangerous drops or spikes in blood pressure during the operation.
Minimising medication clashes – Certain prescription medications (blood thinners, diabetes medications) require precise pre-operation adjustments. Some supplements may also interfere with the pain relievers and antibiotics used during your recovery.

Setting Up Your Home For Recovery

The first week after your surgery, your movements will be limited, and you’ll be greatly dependent on others. Many everyday tasks will be out of reach, and you may also feel emotionally vulnerable or overwhelmed. This is all totally normal. But that’s why it’s important to plan for the support you need and to set up your home in advance so you can feel as comfortable and calm as possible.

CREATE YOUR RECOVERY SPACE

Remove any unnecessary rugs and items from the floor of your bedroom and the main areas of your house to make moving around easier and reduce the risk of falls. Make sure you will have freshly laundered sheets on the bed.

Have a collection of books, your iPhone or laptop, their chargers, and any other activities you may like to have nearby (e.g., crafts, knitting). Also, keep your medications, water, and snacks within easy reach.

Place nonslip mats in the bathroom to avoid falls. If you don’t have a grab rail in the shower, consider purchasing a temporary one. You may also want to consider a handheld shower head or an elevated toilet seat.

MEALS

Prepare and freeze some nutrient-rich meals. Ensure that everyday kitchen items like cups and plates are within arm’s reach and not hidden away on hard-to-reach shelves.

CLOTHING

You’ll need to have freshly laundered, comfortable stretch clothing that you can easily put on and take off.

HOME HELP

Everyone will need help during the first week following surgery, so if you live alone, you should ideally have someone stay with you for the week. You’ll need help with daily tasks, meal preparation, childcare and transportation to your follow-up appointments. If you have a dog, you’ll need someone to walk it. Think through all the activities you do in a week and make sure you’ll have the appropriate help you need.

The Day Of Surgery

FASTING: You’ll be required to fast before surgery as you must have an empty stomach for optimal safety under anaesthesia. Dr Dona’s team will give you specific instructions regarding this on the business day before your procedure.

Typically speaking, though, you’ll be required to completely stop consuming all food, milk and juice with pulp for at least six hours before your admission time.

GLP-1s: You are not required to stop taking GLP-1s before your Body Contouring surgery. However, you must follow specific precautions before your operation to ensure your safety and minimise the risk of complications during anaesthesia. These typically include adhering to a 24-hour clear fluid diet before your procedure, followed by a standard six-hour fast from ALL food and fluids.

This approach minimises the risk of gastric contents being retained, which can lead to complications while under general anaesthesia. Dr Dona will discuss these with you thoroughly in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

PREPARING YOUR HOSPITAL BAG: Pack your bag with comfortable sleepwear, slippers, a toilet bag, personal items (e.g. mobile phone, essential medications) and essential documents (including photo ID, private health insurance/Medicare cards and hospital paperwork). Leave your valuable items at home.

Red Flags: When to Delay Surgery

Your surgery day is an important one, and much time, effort and emotional energy have been spent leading up to it. Cancelling your surgery is the last thing that you or any of the team would wish for. However, if you become unwell, your surgery may have to be delayed. This may occur for the following reasons:

Respiratory Illnesses: If you have COVID or develop a respiratory illness (e.g., a cold, flu, bronchitis or pneumonia), your surgery cannot proceed safely.

NB: We understand that no one plans to get sick, but we encourage you to take every step you can to avoid falling ill. This means that for the two weeks leading up to your procedure, do your best to avoid busy public places and as many people as possible. If you have to venture out to crowded places like shops or the movie theatre, wear a mask.

Infections: If you have a skin infection, it may increase the risk of complications during your surgery. Please contact the clinic as soon as you are aware of it.

Asthma attack or breathing issues: Recent asthma attacks or severe wheezing may mean your lungs do not tolerate anaesthesia well.

Mental health: Having the jitters leading up to your procedure is very normal. However, if you develop severe anxiety and are extremely hesitant about your procedure, this may be an indication that you need to have an open, face-to-face discussion with Dr Dona before proceeding.

Cardiovascular issues: If you’ve recently experienced a pulmonary embolism, heart attack, or have received an artery-opening stent, the surgery may be delayed for a few months.

Drug, medication and health issues: As we’ve mentioned earlier in this article, Dr Dona will thoroughly assess your medications and health condition before giving you the all clear to proceed with surgery. This is because you mustn’t take drugs, medications or supplements that can interfere with your general anaesthesia or recovery. Similarly, certain health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or other chronic conditions, may render you unfit for surgery.

Considering Body Contouring Surgery?

If you’re curious about Body Contouring surgery and would like to find out more, the first step is to book an appointment with Dr Eddy Dona at his Bella Vista, Sydney rooms.

During your consultation with Dr Dona, the discussion will include:

Your areas of concern, goals and expectations
• Your full medical history, including any health conditions and previous procedures
• Potential surgical options, following a clinical examination

If you are considered a suitable candidate, Dr Dona will explain the proposed procedure in detail, including fees, insurance considerations, recovery, and potential risks and complications.

Dr Eddy Dona

Dr Eddy Dona (FRACS) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Sydney, and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Following his medical degree at the University of Sydney in 1996, Dr Dona then began a further 11 years of intensive training to become a Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Since starting private practice in 2007, Dr Dona has had patients from all over Australia seeking his expertise and specialist management. Dr Dona’s practice has grown and become heavily focused on breast and body reconstructive procedures, especially after massive weight loss including post-pregnancy. Despite running a busy private practice, Dr Dona spent the first 15 years of his specialist practice dedicating part of his time to one of Sydney’s largest teaching public hospitals, including training future plastic surgeons. This was where Dr Dona was often required to reconstruct the bodies of those affected by trauma and cancer.