Am I a candidate for breast augmentation if I am currently taking medication for bipolar disorder?

Question

Hi there wanting to have uplift and replacement of implants. I am now on lithium for bipolar, can I have the surgery whilst on the medication? Is it a contra indication for general anaesthetic? Thanks

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question!
Yes, you can have the surgery. There are no contra indications. You may continue on your medication as usual. You will not take it on the day surgery and resume it  the following day. Best wishes!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear georgiacrx,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

A bipolar condition that is being treated with medication will not pose a problem when considering a breast augmentation procedure. Best to discontinue lithium 10 days before the scheduled surgery due to interaction with anesthesia. Best of luck to you.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

I don't have any knowledge that this is a contraindication to surgery, but it would likely be very straightforward to make a decision about this between your plastic surgeon and psychiatrist.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hello georgiacrx, If you are medicated and controlled, there is no contraindication to perform your wish procedure.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

I have performed surgery on patients who take lithium. As long as you disclose your desire for surgery to the doctor who prescribes it and inform your surgeon that you take it, those two professionals can make sure your surgery and recovery are as safe as possible.

Separately from the safety issue, it’s common to have mental stress and mood swings after anesthesia and surgery in general, so in addition to making sure you have enough time off work, you’d want to make sure you have an emotional support system in place too.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The lithium is something that will have to be discussed with the anesthesiologist but I suspect you’ll be able to have the surgery done without a problem

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There are interactions between lithium and medications used in general anesthesia. Stopping and discontinuing lithium is recommended. That needs to be done based on communication between your surgeon and psychiatrist. Breast lift and implant replacement may be done in deep sedation and local anesthesia avoiding the risks of general anesthesia. Hope this helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest discussing this first with your psychiatrist.  If you are stable, then you should be able to have surgery. Lithium does not need to be stopped prior to surgery except for the day of surgery.

Am I a candidate for breast augmentation if I am currently taking medication for bipolar disorder?

Answers (13)

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