Vaporize Medical Marijuana Before Liposuction?

Question

Hello, I have a question about vaporizing medical marijuana (living in Northern Cali) and general anesthesia. I have a procedure (lipo) this Thursday, and I do this nightly for anxiety and insomnia. By thursday it will have been 12 days since I stopped completely. Should I reschedule? What are your opinions? Thanks for your time and guidance.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I don't think there's any problem with marijuana in an operation such as liposuction. Nevertheless, you need report your history of used to your surgeon.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Here are the major points of smoking Tobacco or Marijuana before or after surgery:1. There is nicotine in tobacco, but not in marijuana.  However, most joints are rolled with marijuana and tobacco combination.  Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that decreases blood flow to the tissues.  This is the major problems that can cause a very bad outcome in some surgeries.  In a breast augmentation, there is not a lot of risk as there are not a lot of incisions which decrease blood flow to the tissues. In a breast lift or tummy tuck, on the other hand, there is much longer and more involved incisions. The decrease in blood flow to the tissues in combination with the decrease in blood flow from the nicotine can cause tissue to die.  This can cause part of the breast or nipple, or in the case of a tummy tuck, part of the belly tissue to die, resulting in a very bad outcome.  Marijuana without tobacco does not cause this problem, or marijuana in an edible fashion.2. There is carbon monoxide in both tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke.  Carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood.  This is different from the vasoconstrictor effect, but has the same result of having the risk of tissue death in conjunction with surgeries that decrease the blood flow to tissues such as breast lifts and tummy tucks, as opposed to an augmentation alone that does not decrease blood flow to as great of an extent.  Again, edible forms of marijuana do not have smoke, and thus carbon monoxide poisoning.3. Coughing.  Both tobacco and marijuana smoke disrupt the lining of the lungs and bronchi and can lead to coughing episodes.  Coughing episodes can lead to internal bleeding after surgery that can lead to hematomas and complications, and again a bad outcome.  Again, edible forms of marijuana does not have this effect.4. Anesthesia effects.  Marijuana can have drug interactions with certain anesthetic drugs.  Thus it is important to tell your anesthesiologist about your marijuana use.In conclusion, Smoking, whether it be tobacco or marijuana, is detrimental to your surgery outcome.  Edible marijuana is much less so, but be honest about your use with your surgeon and anesthesiologist so that you can have the best outcome.Best wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Philip E. Fleming, MD · Answer

You should check with your surgeon and your anesthesiologist for the definitive answer to you question. However, I doubt that marijuana use 12 days prior to surgery will present a problem.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

I am not sure what your concerns are. Do call your surgeon to ask, but it is doubtful that there will be any issues. All the best.

Vaporize Medical Marijuana Before Liposuction?

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Vaporize Medical Marijuana Before Liposuction?

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Answer: Vaporize Medical Marijuana Before Liposuction?

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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