What is the reco to pause Wegovy prior to surgery?

Question

Looking at mommy makeover and I take wegovy. I am wondering what the recommendation is to pause the med prior to surgery and when I would be able to start after.

Jerimiah Mason, MD · Answer

Must stop Wegovy one week before surgery. Can really restart it any time after surgery, no need to wait a set amount of time.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

You should stop your weight loss injections (semaglutide or tirzepatide)- (Ozempic,Wegovy,Mounjaro) about two to four weeks before and resume three to four weeks after your surgery. Since these medications slow down your stomach emptying, it’s important that your stomach be empty during surgery to avoid aspiration (stomach contents coming up and going into your lungs). You can certainly discuss this with your surgeon and anesthesiologist as some practices and surgery centers have their own specific protocols.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Dr.Bruno

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Dr.Bruno

Jorge Maytorena, MD · Answer

at least 2 weeks before the procedure, if you are going to have a plastic surgery procedure, to avoid complications

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Medications like Wegovy and Ozempic slow stomach emptying.  This could be concerning during surgery because when under anesthesia you could potentially aspirate if your stomach isn't empty.  For this reason your surgeon will want you to stop the medication prior to surgery.  Typically three weeks or more is recommended.  Your surgeon is the best one to answer this question as she/he is most familiar with your planned surgery and medical history.

Navjot Singh, MD, FACG · Answer

Thank you for your question. Wegovy (semaglutide) should be stopped 2-3 weeks before mommy makeover surgery to minimize gastrointestinal side effects associated with slowing gastric transit. Slow gastric transit may raise the risk of aspiration during surgery and cause a delayed recovery. It is best to start Wegovy when you are completely recovered. You must talk about this with your surgeon before surgery.

Darren West, MD · Answer

It is good the you are thinking about this ahead of time. The ultimate decision will come from a discussion with your anesthesiologist, so be sure to bring this up in your pre-operative screening. However, in general, a typical recommendation would be to stop the medication about 2-3 weeks prior to surgery. The main reasoning is to decrease the GI side effects of slowed gastric transit, which could put you at risk for aspiration and slower surgical recovery. It would be advisable to wait to restart the medication until you are fully cleared and recovered from your surgery as good nutrition and digestion are important for any surgical recovery.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

The recommendation is to stop taking it for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.    If you are having severe  Gastroparesis, (stomach not emptying) that is causing constant symptoms of nausea, vomiting, reflux, then you may need to stop earlier.

What is the reco to pause Wegovy prior to surgery?

Answers (7)

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