Can I Get Breast Implants And A Tummy Tuck With A Bad Back?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am going through back problems at the moment but didn’t know if it was still ok to get breast enlargement and a tummy tuck. I am already on all kinds of medicines and have back pain but I think I am getting to the end of this, finally. I had worked out and walked four miles a day to loose weight and quit smoking then my back started acting up the tummy tuck and breast enlargement is something I have wanted since I had my three kids which I love dearly but ruined my body. I would like to know how long I should wait, I also have a hernia that they said unless it didn’t hurt all the time then don’t come back until it did . I’m sorry but I just feel like my life is on a complete hold while still wanting to look better and feel better about myself. I have to be at the mercy of all of these other problems before I can have my life back and have these things done to make me feel better about myself. Please reply with an honest answer all of what I am going through now is very heartbreaking so a reply soon would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A: While breast and abdominal reshaping can make some dramatic changes in any women who has been through three pregnancies, I have numerous concerns in your case if this is appropriate. Your history and ongoing back pain are concerns as well as what medications you are on. Breast augmentation and a tummy tuck are not a cure/treatment for back pain and may well make it worse in the short-term after surgery. I would imagine that some of the medications you are on are for pain relief, which would make any narcotics needed after a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck less effective. A detailed medical and medication history would have to be assessed to see if such body contouring would be advised. In addition, your hernia repair history is also significant for consideration for tummy tuck surgery. Your surgical records for this procedure(s) would need to be reviewed to determine what type of hernia repair was done and if there is any synthetic mesh in your abdominal wall.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana