Tummy Tuck While on Blood Pressure Medication?

Tummy tucks are no different than any other elective surgical procedure. They should be performed on patients that are healthy enough to tolerate the procedure and anesthesia.
High Blood pressure that is uncontrolled should be medically evaluated as to the cause and then adequately treated. The treatment may be oral medication and may bring your blood pressure into normal range. If you have not suffered long term damage from uncontrolled blood pressure and your pressure is now well controlled, you should tolerate a tummy tuck with out difficulty.

Thank you for your question regarding having a tummy tuck while taking blood pressure medication. The short answer is yes, you can still have a tummy tuck while on blood pressure medication, as long as your blood pressure is well-controlled and you are in good overall health.

Before undergoing any surgery, including a tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist will review your medical history, including your blood pressure condition and the medications you are taking. If your blood pressure is managed and stable, the surgery can usually proceed without issues.

However, certain precautions may need to be taken:

Preoperative evaluation: Your plastic surgeon may request that your primary care physician or cardiologist provide clearance for surgery to ensure your blood pressure is under control.
Medication adjustments: Some blood pressure medications may be adjusted temporarily before surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on whether to continue or adjust your medication leading up to the procedure.
Monitoring during surgery: Your blood pressure will be closely monitored during the surgery to ensure it stays within a safe range.
It's important to maintain open communication with your surgeon and healthcare team. If your blood pressure is not well-controlled, it's critical to manage it effectively before considering surgery to reduce the risk of complications.

I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your specific situation and ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery while on blood pressure medication.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hello! Thank you for your question! There are a few medical comorbidities that contribute to a higher risk during any surgical procedure including infections, wound complications, delayed wound healing, bleeding, anesthetic risks, etc. Hypertension is one that is known to have an increased risk during a procedure. There are a number of both systemic and local host factors that can contribute to high blood pressure. Hypertension itself is not a true contraindication to having any surgical procedure, but it should always be controlled. Risks that coincide with high blood pressure, such as coronary artery disease, pulmonary issues, varicosities, etc. can certainly be worrisome as the risk for other issues including MI, stroke, etc. can be severe. Complications such as bleeding and postoperative hematomas may be increased and hemostasis obtained well. That being said, well-controlled high blood pressure should equate a minimal increased risk for the above and surgical procedures still safe and a reasonable decision. You should ensure adequate blood pressure control always, but also obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician that you are at an acceptable risk for undergoing a surgical procedure. For elective or aesthetic procedures, your surgeon may want to get you to a baseline level prior to consideration for a procedure. Discuss all of your medical comorbidities and medication with your surgeon prior and discuss these risks. Also, discuss this with your anesthesiologist as proper monitoring and medications will be watched closely. This procedure should still be very safe for you and hope for an uncomplicated course with an excellent result! Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

While there is no problem having a tummy tuck or any other cosmetic procedure, your blood pressure should be controlled prior to your procedure. All my patients with a history of high blood pressure need to be screened by their primary care physician to make sure you have no other medical issues.

Assuming the medication is effectively controlling your blood pressure, you can have a tummy tuck while taking blood pressure medications.  It's important to get an overall good bill of health from your general medical doctor prior to proceeding.
Best of luck.

As mentioned, your general health is also important and other things like high cholesterol, heart problems, or diabetes also must be considered.
So further medical screening or tests could be needed depending on the above.

Prior to considering elective cosmetic surgery, you would have to be evaluated by your primary care physician to make sure you could tolerate the procedure with an acceptable level of risk. Taking blood pressure medication in and of itself would not disqualify you from having a tummy tuck.
Good luck!

Well controlled hypertension is not a contraindication to tummy tuck surgery and/or other elective plastic surgical procedures. Always best to check with your primary care physician for “medical clearance” prior to surgery. Managing your anti hypertensive medications around the time of surgery will be important. In my practice, I prefer the use of general anesthesia provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Hello,
Review your medications with your surgeon and your internist if your surgeon sends you for medical clearance. Blood pressure medication alone is not a reason to not have a tummy tuck as long as your blood pressure in under control.

As long as your blood pressure is well controlled there is no reason you can't have any surgery. Out of control blood pressure is a problem so most anesthesiologists recommend you take your blood pressure medication prior to surgery. If it remains high they will give you something during surgery. Most anesthetic agents lower blood pressure. So no worries you'll be fine.