I am undergoing treatment for cancer & want to know how long I should wait before having cosmetic work done

The time between having electoral #cosmetic surgery after a major surgery depends on the surgery. Its best to consult with the surgeon or specialist you recently had the major surgery with to gain perspective as to when cosmetic surgery can be scheduled. During your #consultation, your skin texture and elasticity, as well as your underlying skin structure and your facial bone structure will be evaluated. Based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. In doing so, he or she should be sure to have a full understanding of what results you expect. It is possible to #combine #surgeries. In fact, I commonly recommend other procedures to go accompany a facelift, such as blepharoplasty or a midface (cheek) lift, to name a few. The combination of multiple of facial procedures may create an optimal result. The best procedure approach will be discussed in greater detail during your one-on-one #consultation. I invite you to visit PacificCenterPlasticSurgery.com to view a complete list of surgeries commonly performed. 

If you are not a #candidate, your surgeon can make other suggestions to address your concerns and objectives. It is extremely important to seek a board certified plastic surgeon highly trained with your desired procedures. I also encourage you to look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients. Also, reading patient reviews of those who have had combined surgeries will be beneficial. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

Thank you for the great question. In my experience, patients typically do not undergo elective surgery during active treatment for cancer (including chemo). Once this is completed, and any residual side effects from the medications are resolved, you may be able to proceed. I would have a frank conversation with your oncology team about your wishes and make a plan to address your pre- and post-procedure care directly with them. Wishing you the best, Dr. Ransom

Dear ClairecolleyThank you for your question and all the best in your recovery. The timing of any procedure would really be up to your oncologic team.  The medications will have an effect on your immune system and you may be at risk of forming blood clots.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Hello,

There is no strict rule, but since cosmetic surgery is less important than medical health, I would wait 6-12 months after your chemotherapy has finished before embarking on cosmetic procedures.

Obviously, first check with your oncologist, but I would probably advise you to wait at least 6 months to a year before considering elective surgery. The most important thing right now is for your body to return to full health. Best of luck.

I would not recommend undergoing surgery anytime soon given what you ahve gone through. Injectables would be safer and can dramatically improve your appearance with mcuh more risk. Good luck with your treatment

You should wait for 2-6 months after completion of your last chemotherapy treatment.  Depending on your recovery after completion of chemotherapy and with the input of your medical oncologist you may need to wait longer.

Great question! Since cosmetic surgery is elective, I would probably recommend waiting anywhere between 6 and 12 months before having any type of procedure done. I would also require a Medical Clearance from your Oncologist or treating physician. 

Hi, this is always a difficult question to answer.  If you are cleared by your oncologist, a minimally invasive type SMAS facelift could be performed in about 90 minutes using local infiltration only at 6 months following your treatments.  The procedure is described below.  Anything more invasive, in my humble opinion, should be avoided.
 I have performed facelifts for over 30 years and have performed many minimally, invasive type facelifts on women in their late twenties and early thirties.  Non smiling photos of your face from the front and side would help in the evaluation.  
 Following the beauty principles that I have developed and formulated over the past 30 years, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.
 When "jowls” (sagging facial tissues) are present this is the primary indication for some form of a SMAS facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer, of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured (not merely folded or suspended with threads or sutures that will not last).  The excess skin is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.
 My most popular facelift is the minimally invasive, short incision facelift that has all the benefits of more invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane, cheek lift and subperiosteal facelifts) but with these added benefits:
very small incisions and no incisions extend or are placed within the hair.
minimal tissue dissection = less bruising and swelling = rapid recovery ( several days instead of weeks or months with the more invasive type facelifts mentioned)
can be performed in 90 minutes or less, with or without general anesthesia
no incisions within the hair = no hair loss
excess fat can be removed
excess skin removed
cheeks, chin and jaw line can be augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implants
most patients fly back home to parts all over the world in as little as 3 days post-op

 I combine facial shaping with every facelift procedure.  When jowls are present, these should be done in concert and not alone or separately in order to create a naturally, more attractive face.
Hope this helps.