Should a plastic surgeon advise of possible outbreak of shingles after surgery on a 70 year old?

Thank you for your question. Shingles is not typically discussed as a risk associated with plastic surgery procedures. I recommend that anyone over 60 get a shingles vaccine.  Please discuss your concern with a board certified plastic surgeon.

No, shingles is not typically discussed as a surgery risk. I always recommend that anyone over 60 get a shingles vaccine. But stress can induce an outbreak. Sorry if that happened to you.My best,
Dr. Sheila Nazarian
@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

This is almost never discussed as a possible byproduct of an operation. I personally have not witnessed a shingles outbreak after elective surgery. Nevertheless, stress of any kind can precipitate an outbreak.

Thank you for your question.  If you had chickenpox as a child this virus may remain latent in your body and become reactivated during episodes of stress as shingles.  This can be avoided with a newly developed vaccine, but as shingles outbreaks are uncommon after surgery, it is not routinely discussed as a possible side-effect of surgery, unless you have had a prior episode of shingles.  Voice your concerns with your surgeon, they can provide you with further reassurance.   

If you harbor the virus- stress can activate it. It is not a common risk of Cosmetic Surgery in general. 

If you have a history of shingles, most plastic surgeons would advise their patients of the possibility of another outbreak due to the body undergoing stress during surgery. Best to have a frank discussion with your operating surgeon so you can know what to expect, given your medical history. 

Hi marleneshelby3.  Great question.  This is not something that normally comes up, so, I would say not necessarily.  I think that all patients over 60 should be given the shingles vaccination if they are a candidate.  Be advised that patients well under 60 may get shingles when under stress, and the vaccination may not prevent all outbreaks, but it is helpful.Good luck.Se

There is absolutely no relationship between surgery and shingles.Shingles discussion should be part of getting old and the primary care doctor

Shingles can pop up anytime and is not a common risk after surgery than needs to be discussed. It can also happen in younger patients. 

Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the virus which causes chickenpox and anyone who has had chickenpox carries a risk of developing shingles and this risk increases with age.  If you have had chickenpox or a previous shingles outbreak, let your surgeon know about this.  Any stress, including surgery, can increase the risk of an outbreak. There now is a shingles vaccine which could be administered prior to the procedure which may help reduce the risk of a shingles outbreak.  Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.