Will hypothyroid affect my lipo experience?

Question

I have recently had a tummy tuck after loosing 65-70lbs.Very happy with the result in general. I am thinking of lipo for the stubborn areas on my rear, inner thighs etc. I am concerned because I am now Hypothyroid and am terrified to gain any weight and If I do lipo, and gain any weight at all(5-10lbs?),I am afraid to look worse. Anyone have hypothyroid and been happy..or unhappy that you chose lipo? I need feedback from doctors that have experience & those who've have the experience. Thanks!

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

your concern seems to be if it would be easy for you to regain weight after you go through the expense, trouble and risk of a procedure such as liposuction, because of your hypothryoidism.  It's important to realize that many people who don't have thyroid trouble, must reset their calorie intake after liposuction.  After liposuction they have less fat on board, and therefore require less calories to support less fat, but if they eat exactly the same as before liposuction (and exercise the same) then they may regain weight because their calories consumed was the cause of their having the excess fat.

	This does not apply to thin patients who have an inherited predisposition of have a small depot of fat in the outer thighs or under the neck, etc. Now, considering a history of hypothyroidism, if the thyroid hormones are  not brought back into balance with medication, it will be harder to keep weight off because there is less energy expended in your basal (resting) metabolic rate for normal functions. If you are looking to have any significant amount of liposuction done, then you must have your thyroid hormones brought into a normal range prior to the surgery. Your general physician may be able to do this for you or you may need an endocrinologist.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Answer

I can't say that I've ever really seen a problem with liposuction and a recent diagnosis of thyroid disease.  When thyroid levels are uncontrolled or improperly high or low, then all bets are off and wound healing can be weakened.  You are probably better off not doing your liposuction now but getting your medical condition in order and stable for a few months then moving forward.  Your concerns are valid, paricularly in the areas that you are interested in treating.  They can be tricky to improve after all that weight loss.

	Best Wishes

Andrew P. Trussler, MD · Answer

Liposuction is great for those difficult areas you have described. Like any cosmetic procedure, the end result depends on how you maintain yourself. Think of it as buying a new car and then having to maintain it! As long as you follow-up closely with your internal medicine doctor and/or endocrinologist to ensure you are normalized from your thyroid hormone levels you should be a candidate for anything you want. Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.

	Dr. Trussler

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

If your thyroid condition is controlled by medication, you should have a normal surgical risk.  That means an internist has examined you and taken a blood test showing a normal thyroid level.

You should obviously not have surgery with any uncontrolled thyroid condition.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as your hypothyroidism is under good medical control, you should not have any issues.  We have had several very happy patients undergo liposuction who have hypothyroidism.  

	 

	Good Luck.

Will hypothyroid affect my lipo experience?

Answers (8)

Answer: Hypothyroidism and tummy tuck or liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and tummy tuck or liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and Liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and Liposuction

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Will hypothyroid affect my lipo experience?

Answers (8)

Answer: Hypothyroidism and tummy tuck or liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and tummy tuck or liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and Liposuction

Answer: Hypothyroidism and Liposuction

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.