Mommy makeover surgery and autoimmune disease: Can the stress of surgery trigger a flare up of hashimoto’s?

Question

Hello doctors, I am 3 months post op from TT with MR and BL/BA. I have hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Before surgery my TSH was in range and I felt great. Two months after surgery I started feeling bad. I just attributed it to the healing process but contacted my GP 2 weeks ago to tell her my symptoms anyway. She immediately ordered blood work and my TSH is over 7 with elevated antibodies. Can the stress of surgery trigger a flare up of hashimoto’s? I feel rotten and very unhappy :(

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Sdsearcher2011. So sorry you are experiencing this. In my experience, aesthetic surgery did not cause disease flare ups, but it may be possible.  Close followup and treatment by your Rheumatologist should help to return to normal.  Best of Luck!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of your issues.  Stress from surgery can trigger autoimmune flare ups.  It doesn't always happen, but it certainly can.  The best thing you can do at this point is exactly what you've done- get in touch with your physician to get your hormone levels balanced again.  I hope you're feeling better soon.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thanks for the question.I believe that any stress or trauma to the body may cause a flare up of an existing autoimmune disease.  I usually consult with the patient's private physician for follow up pre and postoperatively. I have performed dozens of procedures without an incident, but I'm sure that your issue is related to your surgery. Hope that your Hashimoto's thyroiditis goes back to the normal levels you enjoyed pre-op.Best of luck.Dr T

Deborah Ekstrom, MD · Answer

There is some evidence that diseases like Hashimotos thyroiditis are inflammatory based autoimmune.  You can have flares any time you are not supporting the "good" bacteria in your GI tract and get a surge of "bad" or inflammatory bacteria in your GI tract.This is a cutting edge topic and you can learn more by reading two books.  The first is "10% Human" which talks about the role your GI bacteria have in controlling you and the second, "The Plant Paradox" talks about choosing the foods that support your bacteria and how to do that and why certain foods cause trouble.  The books are by A. Colleen and Dr. Steven Grundy respectively.You can learn to make your bacteria happy and that will make you happy, too!  All the best.

Lavinia K. Chong, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear of your predicament.  I have operated on patients with autoimmune conditions varying from Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Lupus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, however in all cases, I consulted with the other physicians who routinely prescribe the meds.  Perhaps it's being over-cautious, however having a team behind a surgical patient has always been my preference, especially when the specialists have greater experience.  Sometimes their recommendations are to "stage" procedures and occasionally, they recommend against cosmetic procedures.  I don't argue and by adhering to this plan, I haven't had autoimmune patients suffer "relapses".  As long as your surgical results are proceeding on schedule, don't languish in "buyer's remorse".  You must proceed on to the next new normal.  Good luck.

Mommy makeover surgery and autoimmune disease: Can the stress of surgery trigger a flare up of hashimoto’s?

Answers (5)

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