BBL Travel Companion Guide: What Your Support Person Needs to Know

Your Role as Companion

If you're travelling to Colombia as a BBL patient's support person, your role is critical. During the first 48–72 hours after surgery, the patient will need hands-on help with basic tasks — getting out of bed, using the bathroom, managing drains and compression garments, preparing food, administering medications, and communicating with the clinical team. You're not just company — you're part of the recovery team.

Before the Trip

Familiarise yourself with the recovery protocols before you arrive. Ask the clinic for a companion guide or attend the pre-operative consultation (most clinics welcome this). Know the medication schedule, drain care basics, compression garment management, signs of complications that require medical attention, and emergency contact numbers for the clinic and nearest hospital.

Surgery Day

On surgery day, you'll wait at the clinic or nearby while the procedure is performed (typically 3–5 hours). After the patient is moved to recovery, you may be allowed to see them briefly. You'll likely handle the discharge process — receiving medication instructions, post-op care guidelines, and follow-up appointment schedules. Have a notebook ready. When the patient is discharged to their recovery house or hotel, you'll help them get settled, set up the medication schedule, and ensure they're positioned correctly (stomach or side, never back).

Recovery Support

The first 3 days are the most demanding. The patient will be groggy from anaesthesia, sore, and limited in mobility. Practical help includes assisting with bathroom trips (the patient may be unsteady), helping change compression garments, preparing light meals and ensuring adequate hydration, managing the BBL pillow positioning for any sitting, keeping the medication schedule on track, and monitoring for warning signs (excessive bleeding, high fever, shortness of breath).

Taking Care of Yourself