Accutane Q&A
76%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
110 Reviews
Accutanebefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Accutane Cost: $375

Learn about Accutane

533 people and 112 doctors are talking about Accutane

Get Free Email Updates

Can I Have Liposuction While I'm Taking Accutane?

asked 3 years ago by Reetha in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Latest answer by William Ting, MD
Question viewed 6,724 times
Tags: surgery

13 answers to Can I Have Liposuction While I'm Taking Accutane?

+2

Accutane and Liposuction

You are not able to get any type of liposuction if it’s laser assisted. While you’re on Accutane it makes you extremely sensitive to any type of heat, laser, light, sun. You’ll need to be off of Accutane for at least 6 months before considering a laser liposuction.
Bruce Katz, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

No elective surgery during Accutane

Definitely no liposuction or any kind of elective surgery while on Accutane. Isotretinoin (Accutane) tends to make wound healing somewhat more challenging by creating greater inflammation, and possibly hypertrophic scarring. You may want to postpone elective surgery for 6 months after completion of Accutane.
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not a good idea while on Accutane

Since Accutane slows down wound healing and can affect scarring in unpredictable ways, it seems unreasonably risky to me to have a completely elective surgical procedure while on Accutane.
Margaret Weiss, MD

Baltimore Dermatologist
+1

Off Accutane for 6 months before liposuction.

Hi. It's probably safe to have liposuction while on Accutane, but why take a chance?  Accutane interferes with skin healing and can have side effects on the liver.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction with Accutane Treatment

Liposuction can be performed while on Accutane, but the scars made on the skin may not heal as well as a procedure done while off Accutane. Liposuction addresses the deep subcutaneous tissue and should not be adversely affected by Accutane.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Accutane and Liposuction Don't Mix Well

Accutane is a wonderful medication, but it can be pretty hard on the liver. In fact, one of the main side effects seen in many people who take the medication is alteration of liver function enzymes. We check these regularly when someone is taking Accutane. The safest way to perform liposuction is to use the tumescent technique, or injection of large amounts of dilute local anesthetic solution. Lidocaine is the anesthetic used. Lidocaine can be toxic if high amounts are in the body. ... more
Ilya Reyter, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist
+1

If does not feel totally right, wait and do it later

Accutane is a powerful medication with strong side effects related to skin regeneration. Liposuction should be safe from that stand point but I would be worried about general anesthesia. In my practice, I would rather wait but I would also involve my anesthesiologist and the patient's internist in this decision. The liver function tests will come back in general higher which will create some controversy. If I learned one thing from my training and practice: if does not feel totally... more
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Accutane and liposuction

Accutane effects skin regeneration and healing. This is mainly important when laser procedures are considered on the face.  Accutane can also cause deformities in utero, so women cannot take it if they plan on getting pregnant.  It should not impact healing from liposuction.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Accutane and surgery

The greatest concern with Accutane, as it pertains to cosmetic procedures, is its effect on skin regeneration. Accutane decreases the body's ability to regenerate or regrow skin. So, procedures that strip or burn off the skin, like laser skin resurfacing or chemical peeling, should be avoided for at least 1 year after stopping the drug. Accutane also has effects on the liver, which is the organ that processes the anesthetic used during liposuction. This might cause a greater risk of... more
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

You should be off Accutane before having surgery

Accutane has numerous effects on the body, and it requires monitoring. Not only is the liver affected, but the skin and subcutaneous tissue has changes. It can alter you response to surgery and anesthesia. Your best bet is to finish your course of accutane and then consider surgery after 2-3 months. This is the amount of time the Accutane can remain active in your system.
David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stop First, Then Go

Because of it's effects on fat metabolism as well as the potential to induce depression, I believe it is unwise for a patient to consider Liposuction or other cosmetic surgery while simultaneously treating with Accutane. Mild but temporary depression after successful cosmetic surgery, including Liposuction, is normal. However, any medication such as Accutane that may increase that tendency should be avoided or discontinued prior to the surgery, or the surgery itself should be postponed.... more
Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

No, I would not recommend it.

Accutane affects every organ in the body, especially the liver. The lidocaine tumescent solution injected during the liposuction to numb up the fat layer is filtered threw the liver as well as any IV sedation meds given during the surgery. Even tho the risk of problems is very little when either accutane is prescribed or liposuction is done alone, the combined effect could be dangerous. I would wait 2-3 months after off accutane to do the liposuction and get a blood test to make sure the... more
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

In general, I would not recommend doing it!

Accutane affects the way skin heals after injury. As liposuction is done for cosmetic reasons, the margin for complications has to be very small. In general, I recommend patient wait 6 to 12 months, after being off accutane, before I perform an invasive procedure. There are always exceptions, but I do believe in minimizing risk where possible.
Julius W. Few, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question