Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Question

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

HIV by itself is not a contraindication to the surgery. 
Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of TTs each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Yes, a tummy tuck or any other cosmetic procedure is safe to do in a patient who is HIV positive as long as they are in good health with no viral load detectable and normal CD 4 counts. Most surgeons will request medical clearance from your primary care physician. Please be upfront and advise your surgeon of your HIV status. Despite the low risk of transmission, additional precautionary steps can be taken in the operating room to lessen the risk of potential exposure to the surgical team. For instance, I minimize the number of surgical assistants who can potentially come in contact with sharp instruments and use special blunt tip needles to lessen the chance of accidental needle stick injuries in surgery.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  If your HIV counts are stable and you can obtain medical clearance from your primary physician, then you can safely undergo a tummy tuck.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Lawrence Iteld, MD · Answer

The answer is yes. HIV positive patients are at no additional risk for surgery, provided that your CD4 count is normal and the viral load is undetectable. We would request medical clearance from you physicians, as with any chronic medical condition.Best of luck

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Assuming the HIV is medically optimized and the person is otherwise a good surgical candidate a TT can be performed.  Hope this helps.

Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Answers (9)

Answer: Tummy Tuck with HIV

Answer: Tummy Tuck with HIV

Answer: Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Answer: Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Answers (9)

Answer: Tummy Tuck with HIV

Answer: Tummy Tuck with HIV

Answer: Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Answer: Can a Tummy Tuck be performed on an HIV person?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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