Can You Still Have Plastic Surgery(lower Body Lift) with a Cold?

Question

There are some people that say you can't with a cold and others say if you have your period the doctor will not operate.I am not so sure if these are true or false.

Max Polo, MD · Answer

There is no contraindication to performing surgery when a woman is menstruating. It is probably safest not to undergo surgery if you have a cold, or upper respiratory infection. Minor colds with symptoms of only nasal/sinus congestion may not add significant risk. Any sign of involvement of the lower airways, such as a cough, shortness of breath or wheezing, could definitely indicate inflammation of the airways that could result in complications from anesthesia. Any surgical procedure requiring IV sedation or general anesthesia, where there could be airway complications, should be postponed until cold symptoms have completely resolved.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about whether you can still have plastic surgery for a cold. No, you cannot have plastic surgery, significantly a lower body lift with a cold. Plastic surgery is an invasive procedure. There are significant risks and complications. You want to be your healthiest when you go into surgery. If you have a cold, it will make it worse and turn into pneumonia, requiring hospitalization and even prolonged incubation on a ventilator. In addition, if the cold is not mild and you do not need hospitalization, you will undoubtedly cough with your cold. The cough will hurt, disrupting the muscle's stitches during muscle plication during the 360 circumferential lower body lift. Therefore, you cannot have plastic surgery, especially with a cold. You also asked whether you can have plastic surgery or a lower body lift during your period or menstrual cycle. It would be best to have your plastic surgery or lower body lift once you entirely recover from your menstrual cycle 7-10 days later. However, if your surgical date falls at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, you can still have the procedure. The stress of anesthesia and surgery may either stop your menstrual cycle or make your menstrual cycle longer. It goes on a case-by-case basis. I hope this answers your question about whether you can have plastic surgery for a cold.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It's not unusual for pre-operative lower body lift patients to develop cough and cold symptoms during the winter months of the year. When this situation arises, patients should be carefully evaluated by both their plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist. When colds are minor, it's probably reasonable to proceed with lower body lift surgery. Colds and coughs that are associated with elevated temperatures, sputum production, signs of influenza, wheezing and signs of generalized illness should result in cancellation of the procedure.Under these circumstances, illnesses can progress and significantly complicate the post-operative course. In some cases, secondary complications such as pneumonia, infection, bleeding and hematoma could result. In addition, a chronic cough can create significant discomfort in the post-operative period.For these reasons, it's occasionally necessary to cancel lower body lift procedures and re-schedule at a later date. It's important to remember that safety should always be everyone's first priority.

Jeffrey D. Wagner, MD · Answer

Generally, it is not advisable to proceed with any major elective surgery that will require general anesthesia if the patient is ill with a febrile illness or any lower respiratory illness, such as a productive cough.  A simple runny nose or scratch throat may be OK, but ultimately you should consult and discuss with your surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If in the unfortunate circumstance that you get sick before your surgery, you may have postpone your surgery until you are better again.  If you are feeling sick, I would discuss with your surgeon who may help you decide depending on your individual symptoms.

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

If you have a fever, a serious sore throat, lots of coughing, and so on - yes, I would recommend postponing your surgery.  If you just have some mild sniffles that are improving, then it would probably be OK to have  your surgery.  Let your surgeon and the anesthesiologist be the judge of that.

	Having your period is not a contraindication for surgery.

	 

	Feel better!

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

I reccomend my patients not have elective surgery with a cold.  It is best to wait till you are feeling better.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

The key is that you are requesting elective surgery, and any avoidable risk should be avoided! Any operation requiring a general anesthetic has the potential for numerous risks, the majority of which are extremely small risks, but risks nonetheless! A cold increases these risks, which include, but are not limited to, aspiration pneumonitis, pneumonia, laryngospasm with loss of airway, increased potential for bleeding due to increased coughing, increased risk of tearing the abdominal muscle plication sutures (causing hernia or worse) due to increased coughing, increased risk of infection, as well as a longer, more rotten-feeling recovery! Having even a mild active viral or bacterial infection--including the common cold-- increases every one of these risks! Even a one-hour breast augmentation would be ill-advised; certainly a multi-hour lower body lift during a cold is just plain stupid! Which of those increased risks sounds good to you?

	Having your period is not an issue, though it is certainly easier to have elective surgery the week after your period, rather than just before--you will experience less swelling, bruising, and discomfort, and this can range from minimal difference to a really noticeable difference. But, there is no increase in risks as above!

Paul Fortes, MD · Answer

It is not advisable to proceed with major surgery like a lower body lift when you are sick with a productive cough or cold.  These operations are long and require prolonged periods of general anesthesia.  Colds and productive coughs make the recovery from an abdominoplasty and lower body lift more risky from a lung health standpoint. The use of narcotic pain medication and the tightening of the abdomen muscles with abdominoplasty can make it difficult to keep the lungs fully expanded and clear in the post-op period.  Having these kinds of operations with an existing cold or productive cough may unnecessarily increase the risk of pulmonary complication after surgery.  I would wait until you recover from your cold.  Unless it is associated with an unusually significant blood loss and acute anemia, menstruation alone is not a contraindication to proceeding with these operations.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
	Being on your menstrual cycle is not a contraindication for having surgery.  Getting a "cold" is different .. I ask my patients to communicate with my office if they think they are getting sick and we will decide whether to proceed with surgery or not.  Safety is the first priority with elective surgery so don't be disappointed if your surgery is postponed until you are 100% better.

	Best Wishes!