Lupus and surgery
A general guideline for any elective surgery is that general health be intact and that the risk of the operation be worth the possible benefit.
Lupus – as you well know – is a chronic, multifaceted inflammatory disease that can affect every organ system of the body.
Obviously lupus that is not in remission would likely cause me to advise my patients to wait until they have better control of the disease.
In addition steroids can be a mainstay of management for patients with lupus – a candidate for abdominoplasty at my practice would need to be in remission and off of steroid based treatments.
Lupus and surgery image
In addition careful consideration must be taken in consideration for the risks that lupus poses even to patients that are in remission, specifically – Are there renal issues? Are there pulmonary or cardiac issues? and are there hematologic issues that might pre-dispose a patient to bleeding, anemia or infectious issues.
Also patients with lupus are prone to panniculitis (lupus profundus) – making many seek abdominoplasty or panniculectomy to manage this problem. The bottom line it is possible but a very careful review of a patient’s individual health status is important and you should seek the advice of a board certified plastic surgeon to guide you who should work in combination with the doctor managing your lupus. (Steven H. Williams, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
With lupus undergo Tummy Tuck surgery
Lupus and surgery picture
As all the previous posters have eluded to, YOU NEED A FULL MEDICAL CLEARANCE – in writing- before you should consider ANY cosmetic operation, especially a tummy tuck. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tucks surgery for patients with lupus
Before a patient with a chronic medical condition receives a tummy tuck surgery, it is essential that they received a full medical exam and clearance. Be sure that you’re working with a board-certified plastic surgeon is a great deal of experience with tummy tucks and review your condition with him as well as medications you are taking. They should not only assess your skin and abdomen, but your lung function, hematologic status, and the condition of your heart. Although it is possible to perform such a surgery, remember that this is an aesthetic procedure and that your health and well-being should always come first.
Lupus and surgery photo
To learn more about surgery, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below. (Pat Pazmino, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
In the final analysis, cosmetic surgery is unnecessary
Since plastic surgery is not a necessary evil and because plastic surgery has associated risks even in the best of circumstances, you should avoid any unnecessary stress or risks to your system. Although for many things talking to your general physician and rheumatologist is a good idea, I am not sure that they would fully understand the vascular (blood supply) stresses that an abdominoplasty would inflict on your body. In addition, the discussion of alternative treatments including any form of liposuction should also be discredited.
The stresses on your body can ignite a recurrence of the lupus – not a desired outcome. For you, I suggest a healthy lifestyle and be happy that your lupus is under control. (Robert M. Freund, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
The risk would be high.
The lupus and surgery
Blood supply issues make your case risky and healing issues may limit the result. I would not want to expose you to that risk. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD (John P. Di Saia, MD, Orange Plastic Surgeon)
Lupus and abdominoplasty
Since Lupus causes a vasculitis, it may affect the bllod supply to the abdominal tissue that already has a compromised blood supply when it is elevated and redraped. You may be better off with liposuction and minimal skin excision without undermining. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
SLE and Tummy Tuck surgery
There is a wide range of presentations of SLE. For those who are on immunosuppressive medications, a tummy tuck will carry signficantly increased risk of slow/poor healing. However, if you are off all medications and your SLE is table, you may be a candidate for surgery. As my colleagues have suggested, a full medical clearance and evaluation is required. I encourage your meet with a board certified plastic surgeon well-versed in tummy tuck procedures to explore your options (C. Bob Basu, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
