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

Question

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?

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

When patients under go abdominoplasty surgery safety should
be everyone’s first priority.It’s well
known that the combination of Phentermine and general anesthesia are associated
with several cardiac problems.This
combination can lead to severe cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.For this reason, patients need to be off
Phentermine, for at least two weeks prior to abdominoplasty surgery.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

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 loss through medically managed changes in lifestyle, be stable at your plateau weight for a few months, and then have your procedure under safe circumstances.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

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.

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

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 increase your blood pressure and heart rate during the surgery.  In fact my anesthesiologist will cancel your case unless diet pill use has been stopped 3 weeks before surgery.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

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.

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Tummy tuck and diet pills

Answer: Tummy tuck and diet pills

Answer: It is absolutely not safe!

Answer: It is absolutely not safe!

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Tummy tuck and diet pills

Answer: Tummy tuck and diet pills

Answer: It is absolutely not safe!

Answer: It is absolutely not safe!

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.