How soon after my last chemo treatment could I get a tummy tuck? Is it possible to do lipo and a tummy tuck together?

Question

I am currently going through treatments (radiation and chemo) for breast cancer. I am within 12 pounds of my ideal weight and my BMI is bordering 26.0 and 26.5.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

In general liposuction is safe to do at the same time depending on the areas involved and how aggressive the procedure is.  As far as your chemo and surgery, we generally like to wait about 6 weeks prior to undergoing elective surgery after chemo.  However, I would let your oncologist determine when he/she feels it is safe for you to undergo the procedure.I would also want to know where you are at in the breast reconstruction phase.  A tummy tuck will prevent you from using your abdominal tissue for breast reconstruction in the future.  I would recommend discussing this with your oncologist first and once cleared seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.Hope that helps.

Dustin L. Reid, MD · Answer

I hope you're doing well with your treatment and wish you a speedy recovery.  I would recommend that you wait at least 6 weeks after finishing chemotherapy before undergoing surgery.  This also depends on you "numbers" and that you have recovered sufficiently.  Your oncologist will help you determine this along with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this type of surgery.  Good luck...you deserve to feel good about your body, and I wish you well.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and best wishes on your treatments.  I would recommend first receiving clearance from your surgical oncologist before pursuing any surgery in the near term.  Stomach tissue can be used in cases of reconstruction and until clearance of all cancer is assured, I would hold off on any elective procedure.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Will you be having any reconstruction surgery as a result of your breast cancer?  Some of the abdominal tissues may be involved in that regard.  An in-office consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would be required to obtain additional information to answer your questions.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I wish you well with your chemo treatment.  I encourage you to discuss your desire for a tummy tuck and liposuction with your oncologist.  You will want to get medical clearance and wait at least 6 weeks from your last treatment.  An exam would need to be done to give you a definitive answer, but often we are able to combine liposuction and a tummy tuck in the same day.  We welcome you to visit us in our Houston office.

Thomas Trey Sands, MD · Answer

That is an excellent question and I hope your are doing well with your treatment. Immune suppression affects your ability to heal appropriately and fight infections. In general, for our breast cancer patients, we will wait around six weeks after they finish chemo therapy before doing any surgery. That is typically related to their mastectomy and reconstruction. We will also defer to the patients oncologist to confirm that the labs reflect a full recovery of the immune system. This can be before six weeks or after six weeks. A tummy tuck is a less urgent, elective procedure. I would not only want to make sure that your immune system has recovered but also your general energy level and nutrition. His may take longer than 6 weeks and will vary from person to person. Your pcp and oncologist should be able to guid you and let you know when it would be safe to proceed. I hope that helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Best to discuss your plans with your oncologist. He/she will be in the best position to advise you when it comes to the potential residual effects of chemotherapy (and possible effects on healing), and timing to proceed with tummy tuck surgery.  You are wise in achieving your long-term stable weight prior to proceeding.Generally speaking, liposuction is a tool that is often used during the time of tummy tuck surgery. Different plastic surgeons utilize this tool differently; some are more “aggressive” than others. In my practice, I frequently utilize this tool to treat adipose tissue of the flanks and pubic areas during tummy tuck procedures.
Care must be taken during tummy tuck surgery to avoid excessive "trauma" to the blood supply of the abdominal wall flap;  for example, if too much liposuction surgery is performed at the time of  tummy tuck surgery, it may be a cause of compromise of blood flow and resulting wound healing problems...
  When the time is right, careful selection of plastic surgeon and careful communication of your concerns/goals will be key.
Best wishes.

How soon after my last chemo treatment could I get a tummy tuck? Is it possible to do lipo and a tummy tuck together?

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