I am currently on Xeljanz and Plaquenil for Rheumatoid Arthritis. How long should I be off my medications before I have surgery?

Dear Daphne73,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Based on your medical history, you will need medical clearance for liposuction. With regards to your medications, I typically do not require that patients stop plaquenil, and I want patients to hold Xeljanz for 2 weeks prior to surgery. You may want to look into a body contouring procedure that combines both liposuction with laser, radiofrequency (RF), or acoustic therapy to produce the best balance of fat reduction and skin tightening and smoothing for your body type and anatomy. For the last 12 years, we have been developing a proprietary technique that we call IDEAL Liposuction. First off, all devices and instruments used are FDA-approved, unlike some of the liposuction and fat transfer devices being used today. These procedures are usually performed in the office, with only local anesthesia. We typically use Smart / Laser Liposuction or VASER (ultrasound) to reduce dense, fibrous fat, and stimulate collagen formation; Radiofrequency-based skin tightening to maximize skin contraction; and Ultrasound, RF, or subcision (Z Wave, Venus, Cellfina) to treat cellulite. Patients go home the same day as surgery, do not need any narcotics postop for pain control, and can return to light exercise and work two days after their procedure. In my practice, we select the appropriate treatment for each patient based on their skin quality, amount of fat and surgical goals. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 – 2018

BeautyAdvisor Top Contributor