Scheduled for lipo and tummy tuck. Is surgery safe during Covid?

Hi there, thank you for your question. If the necessary actions and protection rules are taken by the hospital, surgeon and surgery staff, it is okay to have the surgery. But of course, eliminating the risks by 100 percent is not possible. So, if you do not feel comfortable, you can wait a bit to have the surgery.

Thank you for your question. We have been lucky with our patients and haven't ran into any problems. I recommend to patients that when they get tested before surgery to self quarantine up until surgery and after surgery the same thing. Continue taking vitamins if your surgeon recommends and finish antibiotics. Best of luck to you.

I, in coordination with other plastic surgery leaders, anesthesiologists, hospital and surgery center personnel, have developed a protocol to assure the highest level of safety while COVID-19 concerns persist. Ask your board certified PS what precautions his/her office take to combat coronavirus transmission. My AAAASF certified surgery center has an ultrafast air filtration system, which circulates the room volume 30 times an hour. As a last measure, this same filtration system has a UV lighting apparatus, which kills viral particles on contact. Only one patient is allowed in the surgery center at a time and must provide a negative COVID-19 test result the week before surgery. Be sure you follow the post-operative guidelines provided by your BCPS for a healthy recovery.

We covid test our patients the day before surgery. I have yet to hear of covid problems from plastic surgeons offices but if it worries you, simply wait until you get the vaccine.

Excellent Question! We are all experiencing new and daunting challenges during this pandemic, however precautions can be made to greatly increase your chances for a safe and healthy recovery after surgery.
Regulations differ from state to state, however your surgeon should require a Negative Covid test 3 to 5 days before surgery to confirm that you do not have the virus. You should then quarantine yourself up until the day of surgery. Recovery after surgery is a type of quarantine as well, and some call recovery after cosmetic surgery, “quarantine with benefits!” All patients, operating room and office personnel should be required to wear masks at all times and patients temperatures taken prior to entry to the office.
I personally believe that it is safer to have elective cosmetic surgery in freestanding or office surgery centers rather than hospitals for the obvious reason that Covid patients are not treated in surgery centers or plastic surgeons’ offices! While I have always had special antivirus HEPA filters installed in my operating room, I have installed HEPA filters throughout the ventilation system in my entire office as well, and many of my colleagues have done the same. Special filters and airway tubing have been added to anesthesia machines to prevent spread as well.
The CDC is asking us not to travel this holiday season and to stay home and not even gather with family members. For that reason, this may actually be an optimal time to have that cosmetic procedure that you were considering! Best of luck, stay safe and please wear a mask at all times!

Great question- each region of the country and hospital/clinics have different policies for Covid testing prior to surgery. There have been patients that have had exposure after surgery but will depend on past medical history and type of procedure, recovery process.

Dear dlf1230,
as long as you and your surgeon follow the instructions, you should be safe. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Covid-19 is important to consider when scheduling a surgery right now. The chances of contracting the illness in the surgical center are very low. Those who work in surgery centers are trained on the significance of maintaining sterile environments and keeping patients safe. These protocols have been amplified during these times- some surgery centers will require negative Covid-19 tests before moving forward with the surgery, and they will also do a health screening upon arrival to the center.
The main concerns are if the patient is asymptomatic with Covid-19 prior to their surgery or if they contract it during their healing process. After surgery, the patient is essentially immunocompromised, so the virus may affect recovery time. However, since every individual responds very differently to the virus, the effect on recovery time will also vary between patients. It is important for patients to understand that there is this slightly increased risk, and they should talk with their surgical team about the precautions that are being taken to keep everyone safe.

Hello, thanks for your question. Plastic surgery is safe during covid if you follow the medical directions to stay safe. Before the procedure, it's necessary to make sure that the patients do not have the virus, and during recovery time, you should avoid any contact with a possible infection. Good luck!

Each facility and surgeon sets policy on COVID precautions, typically following the guidelines by the CDC. Many have extensive procedures that are followed to keep patients and staff safe. I encourage you to review these with your surgeon. If you are not satisfied you can elect to postpone your surgery until you are comfortable.