What to Pack for Plastic Surgery in Miami: The Complete Checklist

Planning plastic surgery in Miami takes more than booking your procedure and flight. What you bring — and what you leave behind — can meaningfully affect how comfortable and smooth your recovery is. Whether you’re having a tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, mommy makeover, or liposuction, this checklist will help you arrive fully prepared.

Dr. Nidia De Jesus, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami, sees every patient daily during their recovery at her clinic — a standard of care that sets Miami apart from many destinations. Knowing what to expect and what to bring makes a real difference in how well you recover.

Before You Pack: Understanding Recovery in Miami

One important thing to know before you start packing: recovery under Dr. De Jesus’s care is not an overnight hospital stay. After surgery, you’ll be staying at the Best Western hotel located right behind the office (zip code 33134), which offers a free airport shuttle. Each day, you’ll visit the clinic during business hours — roughly eight hours — for surgeon exams, lymphatic massage, and IV therapy. You’ll return to your hotel room in the evening.

This is why what you pack matters. You need comfortable, accessible clothing for daily trips to the clinic, items that support your healing at the hotel, and everything necessary for your travel.

Plan to have a companion with you — a family member or trusted friend — especially for the first several days post-op.

Documents and Pre-Surgery Paperwork

Get your documents in order before anything else. Losing paperwork mid-trip is stressful, especially when you’re preparing for surgery.

Essential Documents to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license)
• Health insurance card (even if your procedure isn’t covered — for emergencies)
• Pre-operative instructions from Dr. De Jesus’s office
• Lab results and medical clearances (provided before surgery)
• List of current medications and allergies
• Emergency contact information
• Flight and hotel confirmation
• Payment confirmation or financing paperwork
• Post-operative care instructions (given at discharge)

Keep digital copies of everything in a cloud folder — Google Drive or iCloud work well. If anything gets lost, you’ll have backups.

Clothing: Comfort Over Fashion

This is not the trip to pack your favorite jeans or snug-fitting outfits. Post-surgery, you’ll be wearing a compression garment under loose clothing, and certain movements will be restricted. Pack with that in mind.

What to Wear to Surgery

• Loose, comfortable outfit — something you can remove and put back on easily
• Slip-on shoes or sandals (bending over may be uncomfortable)
• Sports bra with front closure (for breast procedures)
• No underwire, zippers, or tight waistbands

Clothing for the Recovery Period

• 4–6 loose, button-front or zip-up tops — easy to put on and take off without raising your arms
• Loose-fitting elastic-waist bottoms — sweats, joggers, or linen trousers
• Front-closure bras or wireless bralettes (for breast procedures)
• Comfortable slip-on shoes — crocs, flip-flops, or loafers
• Loose nightgown or button-down pajama set — nothing that pulls over your head if you’ve had upper-body work
• Light robe or wrap for clinic visits
• Socks — hospitals and clinic rooms can be cool

Remember that you’ll be wearing your compression garment under everything. Your clothes need to fit comfortably over the garment, not just fit your normal body. Pack one size up if in doubt.

Read more about how long to wear a compression garment after surgery and why it matters for your results.

Comfort and Recovery Essentials

These are the items that make the difference between a miserable recovery and a manageable one. Don’t skip them.

For the Hotel Room

• Wedge pillow or body pillow — helps you sleep in the right position (especially for BBL patients who need to avoid direct pressure on buttocks)
• Travel-sized heating pad (optional) — gentle heat can ease muscle tension
• Straw or bendable straw cups — staying hydrated is critical and sitting up fully to drink isn’t always comfortable at first
• Snacks — easy-to-eat, high-protein options: protein bars, nuts, crackers, dried fruit
• Entertainment — books, tablet, downloaded shows; recovery includes rest time
• Small fan or noise machine (optional) — helps with sleep
• Plastic bags (zip-lock) — useful for damp items, garments, or small organization
• Moist wipes or dry shampoo — showering may be limited initially

Hygiene and Skin Care

• Gentle, fragrance-free soap and shampoo
• Soft washcloths (pack a few extras)
• Lip balm — anesthesia can leave lips dry
• Unscented lotion (avoid incision sites)
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant — travel sizes fine
• Hairbrush and simple hair ties if you have long hair
• Any usual skincare products

Medications and Medical Supplies

Dr. De Jesus’s team will prescribe what you need for surgery and recovery. Do not bring medications you weren’t prescribed for this procedure. However, there are some general items worth having:

Bring From Home

• All prescribed pre-op medications as directed by Dr. De Jesus’s office
• Current prescription medications (enough for the full trip)
• Vitamins you take regularly (confirm these are approved pre-op — many supplements must be stopped before surgery)

Useful Over-the-Counter Items

• Stool softener (constipation is common after anesthesia and pain medications)
• Antacids (for mild stomach upset)
• Saline nasal spray (helps with dryness from anesthesia)
• Sunscreen (if you plan any outdoor time during later recovery days)

Important: Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, vitamin E, fish oil, and most herbal supplements for at least 2 weeks before surgery unless your surgeon specifically approves them. These can increase bleeding risk.

Electronics and Practical Gear

You’ll have downtime during recovery, and staying connected and organized matters.

• Phone charger and portable battery pack
• Universal power adapter (if traveling internationally)
• Tablet or e-reader — better than a laptop when you’re lying down
• Earbuds or headphones
• Light backpack or tote for daily clinic trips — you’ll be going back and forth each day
• Reusable water bottle — staying hydrated post-surgery is essential
• Small bills and a credit card for local needs

The Best Western is within easy walking distance or a short drive from Dr. De Jesus’s clinic at 51 SW 42nd Ave STE 105, Miami, FL 33134 — but you’ll be riding each way rather than walking post-op.

What NOT to Pack (or Do)

Equally important is knowing what to leave at home.

• Tight-fitting clothes — they won’t fit over your garment and will cause discomfort
• Heels or dress shoes — balance and mobility are reduced early in recovery
• Excess luggage — you’ll struggle to manage heavy bags post-op; keep bags light and manageable with one hand if possible
• Alcohol — avoid before and after surgery
• Prohibited supplements and medications — always check with Dr. De Jesus’s office
• Work obligations — plan for a real recovery period; your results depend on it

Packing Tips for Specific Procedures

BBL / Brazilian Butt Lift

BBL patients need to avoid direct pressure on their buttocks for several weeks. Pack a BBL pillow (a donut-style foam pillow designed to take pressure off the buttocks while sitting). You’ll use it daily during your clinic visits and at the hotel. Also pack extra-loose bottoms — leggings and skinny jeans are not an option immediately after a BBL.

Tummy Tuck

Bending and reaching overhead are limited after a tummy tuck. Pack everything you need at waist height or below in your hotel room. Button-front or zip-front clothing is essential. A long compression garment (faja) will be provided — pack clothes that fit over it.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover combines multiple procedures, so your packing needs to account for all of them. Front-closure bras, loose tops, and elastic-waist bottoms are all essential. See our complete mommy makeover recovery timeline to understand what each week of recovery looks like.

Breast Augmentation

Arm movement is limited after breast augmentation. Pack front-closure bras, button-up shirts, and nothing that pulls over your head. Your surgical bra will be provided by the clinic.

Liposuction

After liposuction, compression garments are critical. Pack extra pairs of comfortable, loose clothing and bring your BBL pillow if combining with a BBL. Learn what to expect from your liposuction recovery timeline.

Preparing Your Companion

Your companion plays a critical role in your recovery — especially the first few days. Make sure they’re prepared too.

• Pack essentials for them (comfortable clothing, their own medications, entertainment)
• Brief them on what to expect — clinic hours, your dietary needs post-op, and what signs warrant calling the clinic
• Have them prepared to handle logistics: picking up prescriptions, helping with meals, communicating with the team if you’re not feeling well

Dr. De Jesus’s team provides thorough instructions to both patients and companions before discharge. But having a prepared companion from day one makes the whole experience smoother.

What to Eat After Surgery: A Quick Note

You’ll likely want a few easy-to-eat snacks for your hotel room. Start light — soups, broths, protein shakes, and soft foods. Avoid anything that requires significant cooking or preparation. Your body needs energy for healing, not digestion. For a detailed guide, see our article on what to eat after plastic surgery for faster healing.

Ready to Schedule? Contact Dr. Nidia De Jesus

Packing is the easy part. The hard part is deciding to take the first step. If you’re ready to explore your options with a board-certified plastic surgeon who provides the highest level of personal care — including daily in-person exams throughout your recovery — we’d love to hear from you.

📞 (305) 600-3736
📧 info@nidiadejesusmd.com
📍 51 SW 42nd Ave STE 105, Miami, FL 33134

Consultations are free. We welcome patients from across the US and internationally.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I plan to stay in Miami for plastic surgery?

It depends on your procedure, but most patients plan for 7–14 days in Miami. During that time, you’ll visit the clinic each day for post-op check-ins, lymphatic massage, and IV therapy. Dr. De Jesus’s team will give you a specific recommendation based on your procedure. For more information, see our guide on how long to stay in Miami after a tummy tuck.

Can I fly home right after surgery?

No. Flying immediately after surgery is dangerous — it increases the risk of blood clots and other complications. Most patients need to remain in Miami for at least one week before flying is considered safe. Dr. De Jesus will clear you for travel when it’s medically appropriate.

Will the hotel provide everything I need, or do I need to bring supplies?

The Best Western hotel behind the clinic provides standard hotel amenities. You’ll want to bring specialized recovery items — your BBL pillow if applicable, a wedge pillow for sleeping, compression-friendly clothing, snacks, and entertainment. The hotel’s proximity to the clinic makes daily visits convenient and stress-free.

Do I need to bring my own compression garment?

No. Your compression garment (faja) is typically provided by Dr. De Jesus’s team as part of your post-operative care. However, you may want to bring backup comfortable undergarments that fit over the garment for the trip home and the later stages of recovery. Check our guide on compression garments after surgery for more detail.

What should my companion pack?

Your companion should pack as if for a normal trip — comfortable clothes, any personal medications, their own entertainment. The most important thing they can bring is patience and a good attitude. They’ll be supporting you through a meaningful health journey, and their presence makes a real difference in how you feel during recovery.