Thursday 17 December 2015

Antidepressants and Cosmetic Surgery – Things to Consider before Undergoing a Procedure

For those who are considering plastic surgery or a reconstructive surgery, it is important to remember that prescribed medications are important to discuss with the surgeon before undergoing any procedure.

With longstanding medications, such as antidepressants, it is important that there is a conversation with not just the plastic surgeon in San Diego, but also with the patient’s primary care physician to see what options are available to keep the patient in optimal health leading up to the surgery. It’s important to know any benefits and repercussions that could occur to coming off medication for a surgical procedure, and doing extensive research before discussing this with a physician will help a patient be prepared with a list of questions to ask at a consultation.

When researching, it is crucial to search for the latest research regarding medications and San Diego plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery. New studies are performed frequently, and their findings could have an impact on the decision made by doctors, surgeons, and patients. For example, new findings have clearly manifested that it does not matter if an individual is going through Botox in San Diego or any other treatment; they can continue taking their antidepressants as these drugs do not have any sort of adverse effect.

The study published recently in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, stated that surgeons are generally concerned with any medication that could thin the blood, and put patients at risk during the procedure. Because the use of antidepressants has increased to about one in 10 adults in the United States, it was important to see how this prevailing medication could impact patients in either an intraoperative or postoperative way.

Researchers reviewed statistics and data that showed the relationship between cosmetic surgery, its risks, and antidepressants taken by patients. In the studies performed as part of the research, bleeding, breast cancer risk and outcome, and breast enlargement were reviewed. The results found that the risk for patients coming off of their antidepressants far outweighed any risks that would come from undergoing the surgery while taking medication.

In terms of bleeding due to antidepressants after a surgery, it was indicated that results were inconsistent, and it would be best for patients to continue their medication to keep from worsening any depression or mood imbalance symptoms. In terms of a correlation with breast cancer and antidepressants, there was also no evidence showing significant reason to cease medication prior to the breast reconstruction surgery.

The study also stated that no increased complications were found to be related to antidepressants, which would make it easier for patients who are suffering from mood disorders or anxiety to continue their medication while considering surgery.

Again, this research can help patients who have been considering a procedure that would require surgery make a decision. Any fear about becoming psychologically vulnerable is no longer a concern, especially if a clear and frank discussion is held with both the primary care physician and surgeon about expected outcomes. While this information is not the end-all in terms of antidepressants and surgical procedures, it is a way to begin preparing a list of discussion points with doctors about options available.

From the above-mentioned discussion, we can fairly conclude that if a patient is consuming medications such as antidepressants, he/she must have a talk with the concerned cosmetic surgeon before undertaking procedures such as eyelid surgery in San Diego, breast augmentation, or any other for that matter.