Can Someone with Pacemaker Undergo Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding undergoing a tummy tuck and liposuction with a pacemaker.

Yes, it is possible for someone with a pacemaker to undergo a tummy tuck and liposuction, but there are important considerations and precautions that must be taken to ensure your safety.

First and foremost, it is essential to consult with both your cardiologist and your plastic surgeon before proceeding with any surgery. Your cardiologist will need to assess your heart function and determine if you are fit for surgery. They will also advise on any specific precautions that need to be taken due to the pacemaker.

During the surgery, your plastic surgeon and the anesthesiologist will need to be aware of the presence of the pacemaker. They will take special care to avoid any interference with the device. For instance, electrocautery devices, commonly used during surgery to control bleeding, can potentially interfere with pacemaker function. However, with proper precautions, such as using a bipolar cautery device or limiting the use of electrocautery near the pacemaker, the risk can be minimized.

In addition, your pacemaker will need to be monitored throughout the procedure, and the surgical team will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect your heart health.

In summary, while having a pacemaker does not necessarily prevent you from undergoing a tummy tuck and liposuction, it does require thorough preoperative planning and collaboration between your cardiologist and plastic surgeon to ensure a safe outcome.

I hope this answers your question regarding the possibility of undergoing a tummy tuck and liposuction with a pacemaker.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

You can have a tummy tuck if you have a pacemaker. Of course, your cardiologist must give the OK first and clear you to have the surgery. Some cardiologist want the pacemakers turned off and others want to leave them on. In some individuals, the pacemakers are placed in the upper abdomen, which can also be a show stopper. If you have any medical or heart condition, it is always important to discuss and weigh the risks and benefits of this type of surgery with your surgeon and cardiologist before proceeding.

Your overall health is the single most important factor.
Clearly any restrictions or limitations as well as overall cardiac health will need to be evaluated by your cardiologist who should be informed and perform any necessary tests prior to your surgery.
The anesthesiologist will likely review your medical history prior to the procedure and make any adjustments in medications or delivery of the anesthetic.
It is actually better that your cardiac health has been treated and understood prior to surgery rather than discovering this during the surgical procedure.
In the few instances in which I have performed surgery, the cardiologist has not advised turning off the pacemaker, but I am sure this depends on the underlying medical condition.
Certain medications used during surgery can speed up and excite the heart while others can slow it down. Depending on the indications for your pacemaker, your cardiologist may advise avoidance of some of these agents.

In general, patients with pacemakers can undergo surgery, including liposuction and tummy tuck, as long as they have a cardiologist clearance. Have this issue addressed with their anesthesiologist, prior to surgery. Best wishes.

Hello,Yes, a tummy tuck can still be performed in a patient that has a pacemaker.  Nearly any surgery can be performed in someone that has a pacemaker in place.  The health of the heart, lungs, and other body systems are more important in determining the safety of the procedure.  Certain precautions must be in place in case the pacemaker needs to be reset should it stop or malfunction.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

A pacemaker is not an absolute contraindication for a tummy tuck. But, you would definitely need medical clearance and definite coordination of care with your cardiologist and plastic surgeon.

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Like all aesthetic surgery, the priority must always be your health and well-being. If you have a pacemaker, it is essential to receive a medical clearance and a cardiologist clearance before any surgery. It is also important to inform your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist of this device. It may be safer to perform your surgery in a hospital setting where the anesthesiologist will have access to instruments that can help control your pacemaker or reprogram it if necessary.

To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:

Despite having a pacemaker in place, it is possible to undergo liposuction and tummy tuck procedures if you are healthy, and all of your treating physicians agree. Your safety always comes first! Communication between ALL your specialists and physicians is essential, including your anesthesiologist and plastic surgeon. A proper work up with lab work will need to be performed. The possibility of staging the procedure may be considered. I hope you find this helpful.

Pacemaker are put in for a variety of reasons. The final answer to your question will be determined by your cardiologist and the reason the pacemaker was put in. Many people can go through surgery with the pacemaker turned off and other are very dependant on the pacemaker to keep the heart beating. If you have a pacemaker because you heart is always dependant on it then the risk may be very high to do elective surgery.
Discuss it with your surgeon and cardiologist and you will find an answer you are comfortable with.

There are 500,000 patients with pacemakers in the US, and it is not uncommon for them to have elective or non elective surgery.The following points have to be followed:1. Patients with implanted pacemakers can be managed safely for surgery and other non-surgical procedures. It requires thorough understanding about indication of pacemaker insertion, various modes of pacing, and programming of pacemaker. 2. A cardiologist should also be consulted for device evaluation regarding its proper function and life of the batteries.3. Anaesthetic management should be planned preoperatively according to patient’s medical status.4. Careful monitoring of ECG, pulse oximetry and arterial blood pressure should be done.5. Provision of temporary pacing should be available.6. Pacemaker should be rechecked after the procedure.