Can you do plastic surgery while being bipolar?

It's understandable that you're concerned about how your diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the use of Wellbutrin (bupropion) might affect your ability to undergo a Mommy Makeover or any major surgery.

General Considerations for Surgery with Bipolar Disorder and Wellbutrin:
Medical Clearance: Your plastic surgeon will likely require medical clearance from your psychiatrist or prescribing doctor to ensure that your mood is stable and that you are well-controlled on your medication. Wellbutrin is commonly used to manage depression and can be part of the treatment for bipolar disorder, but your mental health must be stable to safely undergo an elective procedure like a Mommy Makeover.

Continuing Wellbutrin: In most cases, it is safe to continue taking Wellbutrin before and after surgery. It does not typically interfere with anesthesia or surgical recovery. However, it’s crucial that both your plastic surgeon and psychiatrist are informed about your medications so that they can assess for any potential interactions or concerns.

Anesthesia Considerations: Wellbutrin doesn’t usually pose an issue with anesthesia, but certain medications used during surgery, like pain relievers or sedatives, could have interactions that your doctors should be aware of.
Mood Stabilization: One of the key factors your doctors will evaluate is whether your bipolar disorder is well-managed. Surgery can be stressful, both physically and emotionally, and a stable mental health state is crucial for good recovery. If your mood has been stable on Wellbutrin and/or any other medications, it’s usually safe to proceed with surgery.

Adjusting Medications: In rare cases, your psychiatrist might recommend adjusting your medication before surgery, but this is not common unless there is a specific concern related to the surgery or recovery period. You should never stop taking Wellbutrin or other mood-stabilizing medications abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms or destabilize your mood.

Risks of Stopping Antidepressants:
Mood Instability: Stopping an antidepressant like Wellbutrin before surgery could potentially destabilize your mood and increase the risk of experiencing depressive or manic episodes, especially under the stress of surgery and recovery.
Post-Surgical Depression: It’s not uncommon for people to experience mood changes or even post-surgical depression after elective procedures due to anesthesia, pain, or changes in body image. Keeping your antidepressant regimen consistent helps mitigate this risk.
Key Steps to Take:
Discuss with Your Psychiatrist: Before surgery, have a conversation with your psychiatrist or prescribing doctor about your plans. They can ensure that your mental health is stable and provide the necessary clearance for surgery. They can also discuss whether any changes need to be made to your medication regimen.

Inform Your Plastic Surgeon: Be upfront with your plastic surgeon about your bipolar diagnosis and medications. They will want to ensure that the surgical and post-op care plan is tailored to your needs, including pain management and any medications that might interact with Wellbutrin.

Coordination Between Doctors: It may be helpful for your psychiatrist and surgeon to communicate directly, especially if there are any concerns about medication interactions or managing mood stability during the surgery and recovery period.

Summary:
In most cases, you can continue taking Wellbutrin during your Mommy Makeover surgery.
The most important thing is that your bipolar disorder is well-managed and that you receive medical clearance from your psychiatrist.
Be sure to keep your doctors informed and make any necessary adjustments under their supervision if needed.

Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of undergoing plastic surgery, such as a mommy makeover, while being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and taking an antidepressant like Wellbutrin.

The simple answer is yes, you can have a mommy makeover even if you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder and are taking Wellbutrin. It’s essential, however, that your psychiatrist or psychologist is aware of your plans for plastic surgery. This is important not only for your mental well-being but also to ensure that your condition is well-managed before, during, and after the procedure.

It is crucial to have realistic expectations about what a mommy makeover can achieve, as well as to understand the limitations of the surgery. Your plastic surgeon, along with the medical team involved in your care, should be fully informed about your Wellbutrin prescription and your bipolar diagnosis. Normally, you do not need to stop taking Wellbutrin before or after the surgery, but this should be confirmed with your plastic surgeon. They will ensure that the medications you receive post-operatively do not interfere with your current medication regimen.

In most cases, no significant adjustments to your medications are necessary, but your medical team will work together to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome. It's essential to have open and thorough communication with all your healthcare providers throughout this process.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

You can have a mommy makeover if you are bipolar. You may continue on your medication with the exception of surgery day. Schedule a consultation with a board certified certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!