At Joshua B. Hyman M.D. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, patient safety is always our top priority, especially when it comes to preparing for procedures like breast augmentation or tummy tuck surgery. One crucial factor in ensuring a safe surgery is the careful management of medications. If you’re taking Ozempic for weight loss or Type 2 diabetes, it’s essential to understand why this medication must be stopped at least two weeks before surgery.
Dr. Hyman is here with everything you need to know about why you can’t take Ozempic before surgery and how it can affect your procedure.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a popular medication used to manage Type 2 diabetes and assist with weight loss. It mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and slow digestion.
This delay in gastric emptying is particularly helpful for controlling blood sugar and appetite, making Ozempic a favored choice for many. However, when it comes to surgery, especially elective procedures like breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, this very feature—delayed gastric emptying—can pose serious risks.
Anesthesia Risks Explained: How Ozempic Decreases Gastric Motility and Increases the Risk of Aspiration
One of the biggest concerns with Ozempic is how it impacts your body during anesthesia. Here’s why:
- Ozempic slows down gastric motility, meaning it takes longer for food and liquids to leave your stomach and pass into the intestines
- While this helps manage diabetes and weight loss, it can create a significant risk during surgery
- When you’re under general anesthesia, your body loses its normal protective reflexes, including the ability to prevent stomach contents from entering the lungs
- This condition, known as aspiration, can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and other lung issues
In normal circumstances, patients are asked to fast before surgery to ensure their stomachs are empty. However, the delayed gastric emptying caused by Ozempic increases the likelihood that food or liquid will still be in the stomach, even after fasting. If this content were to move back up into the esophagus and be inhaled into the lungs during surgery, it could lead to life-threatening complications.
When Can You Resume Ozempic After Surgery?
After your breast augmentation or tummy tuck, Dr. Hyman will advise you on when it’s safe to resume taking Ozempic. This typically happens once your body has recovered from the initial stages of surgery, usually around two weeks post-op. However, this timeline can vary based on individual health factors and how your body is healing.
It’s essential to follow your surgeon’s recommendations and resume Ozempic gradually, as jumping back into the medication too quickly could result in side effects such as nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Questions About Ozempic? We Can Help.
While Ozempic is a helpful medication for many, it’s essential to understand how it can impact your breast augmentation or tummy tuck surgery. Following pre-surgical guidelines, including stopping Ozempic at least two weeks before your procedure, helps minimize risks and ensures a safe, smooth surgery with optimal results.
At Joshua B. Hyman M.D. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we prioritize your health and safety at every stage of the surgical process. If you have any questions or concerns about how your medications might affect your surgery, please contact our office. We’re here to help you feel confident and prepared for your procedure.
