Laser treatment before surgery?

Question

I'm scheduled for a mommy makeover on 12/7 and have been having hair laser removal treatments. I have an appt scheduled for Tuesday and I heard that you shouldn't have laser treatment within a month of surgery. Is this true? I don't want to have it if it's going to be counterproductive to my surgery.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Flgirl,    The laser hair removal per se should not be a problem for getting it before mommy make over surgery, especially when done on the legs or arms. When done on the pubic area it is more of a concern. The reason for the concern is local infection due to injury from the lasing procedure. If you had the procedure before without any complications and you trust the technician, you can do it up to 2 weeks before the mommy make over surgery, just, so you are on the safe side. If you have to cancel surgery on a short notice due to complication from the laser, you will have to , most likely,  pay cancellation fee. So better be safe than sorry.   Another important issue is combination surgeries of mommy make over. According to a recent article in the plastic surgery journal, combining tummy tuck with other surgeries, increases the severe complication rate significantly. It is more so when combining 2 painful surgeries like tummy tuck and breasts augmentation. That is mainly, because patients over estimate their ability to recover quickly from these procedure and end up in bed for long time without ambulating or drinking fluids (so they will not have to get up to the bathroom). This can result in severe complications like blood clots, pneumonia etc. Additionally, surgeon's fatigue from long surgery can have a negative impact on the final outcome.    Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery to make sure that they are numerous, consistent, attractive and natural looking. Check also the 'realself' reviews for positive experience reports.                     Best of luck,                                      Dr Widder

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Since I think it's always best to err on the side of caution, I would advise you to postpone your laser hair removal session until after you've healed. Unless the area being layered is not the same as the area being operated on. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

As long as the laser treatment is not in the operative area and that you will not have skin irritation or infection (folliculitis) you should be fine. Best to call your plastic surgeon for advice.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

It probably would be wise to stagger laser treatment by a couple weeks prior to mommy makeover. Laser hair removal can trigger folliculitis which is a very modest localized infection or inflammation of the hair follicle.

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

Hello,make sure to avoid lasering any areas where incisions of planned surgery will lie.  for instance, avoid pubic area laser hair removal as a portion of the tummy tuck incision falls there.  elsewhere, lasering should be OK

Robert S. Houser, DO · Answer

If you are currently lasering your bikini area, you would want to give the skin a break before surgery -- a month at most.  Otherwise, you could have some minor healing issues along your incision after a tummy tuck.  If you're just having lipo or the laser is being done on your armpits, then it doesn't matter.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon who should be board certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

Aaron J. Mayberry, MD, FACS · Answer

Hmmm, that's a new one.  Did you hear that from a surgeon?  And where is the LHR being performed on your body?  The depth of penetration of the laser energy is very superficial in relation to the deeper structures associated with the surgery.  If it were a full surface CO2 laser then I could be concerned with an additional insult to the skin.  To be certain, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.  Good luck!

J. Brad Turner, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you are having the laser hair removal in the pubic area near where your tummy tuck incision may be located it's probably best not to have the procedure.  One month is a good number to avoid any insult to skin prior to surgery.  If the hair removal is away from where any incisions may be located that should be safe but best to confirm with your plastic surgeon about incision placement.  Best of Luck

Laser treatment before surgery?

Answers (9)

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