Missed period after Tummy tuck. Any suggestions?

Question

my last period was Feb 2nd 2016 .i had intercourse Feb 14th and 15th. my tummy tuck surgery was Feb 18th i did get a pregnancy test on this day it was neg i am now 25 days post op and no period 42 days since my last period. is this normal?

Ankur Mehta, MD · Answer

I agree with the all the good feedback from my colleagues. The first and foremost is you should make sure you are not pregnant with a formal pregnancy test at your OB/GYN. This could easily also be due to the stress from surgery. The menstrual cycle is so sensitive to many factors and stress is definitely one of them! The main concept here is that the diagnosis of the stress of surgery leading to your missing a menstrual cycle should be a diagnosis of exclusion. Meaning, all other factors of why you might have missed your period should be evaluated first. The person best suited to evaluate and diagnose this would obviously be your OB/GYN. Ankur Mehta MD

Jeffrey G. Lind II, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and congratulations on having your tummy tuck.  As others have mentioned, you should first make an appointment with your OB/Gyn to determine if you are pregnant.  However, the stress of surgery can certainly throw off your cycles but it's best to assume that you are pregnant until proven otherwise.  Best of luck to you!

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Any women in reproductive age that misses a period should be studied for potential pregnancy until proven otherwise.Over the counter pregnancy test are useful to discover pregnancy but sometimes are not very sensitive. Sometimes a OTC pregnancy test may need to be repeated several days after to rule out a possible pregancyPatients who has missed a period after a plastic surgery procedure like a tummy tuck should contact either their plastic surgeon and/or primary care physician/ Family doctor regarding this concern. In my practice I would recommend a blood pregnancy test to patients concerned of possible pregnancy since blood tests are more sensitive than OTC tests.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question.  It is not uncommon for women to miss their menstrual cycle after surgery which may be due to stress from the procedure.  It would be best to consult with your Ob-Gyn as well and have a pregnancy test just to be sure.  Best of luck, Dr. Michael Omidi.

Steven M. Camp, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would recommend a formal pregnancy test with your OB-GYN to rule out pregnancy.  The stress of surgery sometimes changes the normal menstrual cycle for patients but always best to determine pregnancy through lab and urine workup.  In the meantime, assume you are pregnant and avoid alcohol, smoking, any drug until proven otherwise.   And take a multi-vitamin with folic acid to reduce risk of spinal issues in baby. Cheers and best,Steven Camp MD#HappyCamperMD

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for patients' menstrual cycles  to be  delayed after surgery.  These patients typically resumes their normal cycle 2-3 months after surgery;  if not a visit with your GYN will be helpful.Best wishes.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

The stress of surgery can affect a menstrual cycle and the urine tests are very accurate but not perfect.  In my opinion you should be seen by your Ob-Gyn for a formal pregnancy test.

Missed period after Tummy tuck. Any suggestions?

Answers (7)

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