Can Someone Who is Taking Immunosuppressive Medicine for Crohn's Disease Get a Tummy Tuck?

    The truth is that there will be risks of wound healing issues and a risk for an acute exacerbation of Crohn's.  Some patients will be better candidates than others, and this will depend upon a multitude of factors.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and liposuction procedures 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 Los Angeles, CA

He certainly can proceed with an abdominoplasty. Medications may need be adjusted in the perioperative period. This something that would be discussed by the surgeon and your gastroenterologist.

In general, the answer is yes and but there are few considerations.  It really depends upon your overall health, the amount and type of the medication and the likelihood of needing surgical treatment for your disease.  Some Crohn's disease medications and are antiinflammatory like aspirin and can lead to bleeding, some can inhibit healing.  It is best to check with your gastroenterologist to see if he orshe feels that you can safely stop these medications for a period of time.  If you're crohn's disease is severe and you have poor nutrition it would not make sense to have an elective surgery.   If your disease is so active and that you are likely to face further surgeries for the crohn's disease it would make sense to consider this prior to having a tummy tuck. I have operated on many patients with Crohn's disease for abdominoplasty as long as they were in good health, had minimal medication requirements and and understood the possibility of gastrointestinal surgery in the future.  Best wishes