I have the nexplanon birth control implant inserted subdermally into my arm. I have attached a photo to show the size and location of my implant. Is it safe or advisable to have arm liposuction performed with this implant? I am not suppose to have it removed for another 2 years. To provide more information I am considering having a bbl with liposuction including the arms.
July 15, 2015
Answer: I'm not sure anyone can say for sure There are no other answers posted as of the time I'm writing this, so I'll take a stab at it (figuratively).Here are my thoughts:Could the device be damaged if the liposuction cannula touched the implant? Since I'm not familiar with the release mechanism of Nexplanon, I would need to assume that it could. Is it possible to isolate the device and liposuction around it and still get the desired result? I would need to feel where it's located. Can the tumescent solution, the liposuction, post-op swelling or inflammation change the hormone absorption rate from the implant? Difficult question (at least to me). Let's say it could. How long after the initial surgery should hormone absorption be back to normal? This is important because you could conceivably become pregnant if the device did not work properly after surgery.To me, the safest thing would be to discuss your proposed procedure with the physician who placed the Nexplanon implant. You could consider having the implant removed (this is outside of my scope of practice) and a new one placed after you are healed up. You would, of course, need to have a back-up plan for birth control, and, again, this needs to be decided with your Nexplanon physician.This question may be better put to doctors who work with these types of devices on a regular basis. It would be nice if your plastic surgeon would discuss your specific situation with the person who placed the Nexplanon.I hope that helps.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.
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July 15, 2015
Answer: I'm not sure anyone can say for sure There are no other answers posted as of the time I'm writing this, so I'll take a stab at it (figuratively).Here are my thoughts:Could the device be damaged if the liposuction cannula touched the implant? Since I'm not familiar with the release mechanism of Nexplanon, I would need to assume that it could. Is it possible to isolate the device and liposuction around it and still get the desired result? I would need to feel where it's located. Can the tumescent solution, the liposuction, post-op swelling or inflammation change the hormone absorption rate from the implant? Difficult question (at least to me). Let's say it could. How long after the initial surgery should hormone absorption be back to normal? This is important because you could conceivably become pregnant if the device did not work properly after surgery.To me, the safest thing would be to discuss your proposed procedure with the physician who placed the Nexplanon implant. You could consider having the implant removed (this is outside of my scope of practice) and a new one placed after you are healed up. You would, of course, need to have a back-up plan for birth control, and, again, this needs to be decided with your Nexplanon physician.This question may be better put to doctors who work with these types of devices on a regular basis. It would be nice if your plastic surgeon would discuss your specific situation with the person who placed the Nexplanon.I hope that helps.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.
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