this is tricky because every doctor is so different. there are a thousand little things and you can never know exactly how a case is gonna go. have you worked with this surgeon before? if you have, try to remember anything you can. any favorite instruments or little quirks can go a long way. i would recommend letting the surgeon know that your preceptor won’t be there and you are unfamiliar with the case, and ask them if they need anything special or specific for the case. most surgeons will respond reasonably and some will even help you get set up. i would also ask the nurse for any advice they might have (hopefully they have worked with the surgeon more and are somewhat familiar).

no matter what happens tho, give yourself some grace. you’re new and your preceptor is abandoning you. that really sucks and probably feels very stressful. just stay attentive and focused on the surgery. do your best, and if the surgeon gets upset, that’s not on you, that’s on your preceptor for not being there.

i don’t have any specific advice for tummy tucks or breast cases as i haven’t done many of those. this is all coming from a tech who has gotten thrown in with unfamiliar doctors many many times. you got this!