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Is Taking Diet Pills (Phentermine) and Getting a Tummy Tuck Safe?

asked 2 years ago by testing1234 in murrieta,ca
Latest answer by David B. Reath, MD
Question viewed 2,411 times
Tags: drug, safety

I went to two consults so far, one said that it would not effect me to continue to take the phentermine and the other says to just stop taking everything even the multi vitamin. I'm trying to find out cause I want to get a tummy tuck asap and I don't want to put myself in any danger. Blood work was done and they said that everything is normal. Is it possible that the phentermine might effect my blood or put me in danger?

8 answers to Is Taking Diet Pills (Phentermine) and Getting a Tummy Tuck Safe?

+3

Phentermine and tummy tucks

It is absolutely not safe to do this! There is no such thing as a tummy tuck "asap" as this is the most potentially lethal operation commonly done by plastic surgeons (blood clots and fatal pulmonary embolism). You need to lose your weight, be off all meds and keep the weight down with lifestyle changes and wait 3-6 months before having the tummy tuck. This is your life and a tummy tuck is not an emergency!
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Anesthesia Risks and Phentermine / Diet Pills

Whenever someone MUST have emergency surgery to save life or limb, he will be whisked to the OR despite risk factors because the cosequences of delay could be deadly. That is NOT the case with elective (IE you and your doctor CHOOSE WHEN to to have your) surgery and especially with Cosmetic surgery in which you choose to have a surgery to improve your appearance at a time of your choosing. With cosmetic surgery, we try as much as possible to pick up and minimize risk factors. Increased... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stop Taking Phentermine at Least Three Weeks Prior to Any Surgery

The weight-loss drug Phentermine, can have serious side effects when combined with general anesthesia. This applies to any surgery, not just plastic surgery. In addition some supplements can interfere with surgery as well. Here are two things you may find helpful: a link to a page on our website dedicated to vitamins before surgery and a recent Truth-O-Meter Tuesday video all about Phentermine specifically. Good luck with your surgery! David B. see video
David B. Reath, MD

Knoxville Plastic Surgeon

plasticsurgeryknoxville.com

+1

Phentermine and Surgery do NOT mix!

Hi there- I would never let you have surgery while on this drug. As explained by my colleagues, elective surgery, because it IS elective, should occur under the most ideal circumstances possible, in order to absolutely minimize any and all risks. After all, you do not have a terrible disease that will progress if your surgery does not happen right away... It doesn't make any sense to take unnecessary risks in order to have the surgery soon. I would recommend you achieve your goals for weight los more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

It is absolutely not safe!

Mixing Phentermine and anesthesia can lead to heart arrhythmias and death.   You need to be off Phentermine for at least 2 weeks to make it safe to undergo anesthesia.  I usually recommend a minimum of 4 weeks, as I want you to be nutritionally sound when you have your surgery to promote better healing. 
Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

+1

Stop phentermine at least two weeks prior to surgery

Most anesthesiologists and physicians advise the cessation of phentermine type products for  a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery. There are concerns that this may predispose individuals to heart rhythm disturbances.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Diet pills (Phentermine) and getting a tummy tuck not safe

NOT safe! You may cause major bleeding, rebound hpertension. I knoow of NO plastic surgeon willing to operate on a diet pill taking patient. From MIAMI Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and diet pills

It is definitely not safe taking any diet pill and having surgery. There are two reasons for this. One dieting before any surgery has been shown to slow your healing and even increase your rate of complications. In my practice, all my tummy tuck patients are given additional nutritional supplement before, during and after surgery to optimize their healing. The second reason has to do with anesthesia. Diet pills can enhance release of epinephrine during anesthetsia. This can... more
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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