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Is it Safe to Have HCG in my Body Prior to Tummy Tuck Surgery?

I want to drop weight before my surgery. I am planning on the HCG diet with phentermine. My surgery is 9/14. Is it dangerous to have this in my body. How long will it take to get this out of my body. I am going to start 7/15. Wat cha think?

Doctor Answers 3

Dieting is not a good idea before any surgery.

July 18th, 2011
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Dieting, particularly extreme dieting, can put you in a malnourished state. To do this prior to a surgery where you will need additional protein stores, calories, vitamins and minerals for proper wound healing is a bad idea. Other complications such as infections and bleeding also increase if you do not have proper nutritional stores to fight infection or to clot. You should think of preparing for surgery as preparing to heal. This is particularly true of a major operation such as a tummy tuck.

Web reference: http://www.drbogue.com

David Bogue, MD


Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

July 18th, 2011

Dieting is not a good idea before any surgery.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Dieting, particularly extreme dieting, can put you in a malnourished state. To do this prior to a surgery where you will need additional protein stores, calories, vitamins and minerals for proper wound healing is a bad idea. Other complications such as infections and bleeding also increase if you do not have proper nutritional stores to fight infection or to clot. You should think of preparing for surgery as preparing to heal. This is particularly true of a major operation such as a tummy tuck.

Learn more: http://www.drbogue.com

David Bogue, MD


Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

Weight loss before tummy tuck

July 12th, 2011
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The best and healthiest way to lose weight before your tummy tuck surgery is with diet and exercise. Surgery is a stress on your body and uncomplicated healing is best achieved by maintaining excellent nutrition.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

July 12th, 2011

Weight loss before tummy tuck

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The best and healthiest way to lose weight before your tummy tuck surgery is with diet and exercise. Surgery is a stress on your body and uncomplicated healing is best achieved by maintaining excellent nutrition.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Wait a little longer

July 12th, 2011
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The hCG diet is by definition a low calorie ( 500 cal /day) diet. By definition you will be malnourished. This can certainly lead to increased complications.Your plan to have surgery at the end of you maintenence is ok, but another 2-4 weeks would be safer. Your nutritional staus should be much better by then. Good Luck.

Web reference: http://www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Brian Klink, MD
July 12th, 2011

Wait a little longer

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The hCG diet is by definition a low calorie ( 500 cal /day) diet. By definition you will be malnourished. This can certainly lead to increased complications.Your plan to have surgery at the end of you maintenence is ok, but another 2-4 weeks would be safer. Your nutritional staus should be much better by then. Good Luck.

Learn more: http://www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Brian Klink, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.