#rebelsus

[drmele]

We all know to stop eating at least 8 hours before surgery. This precaution is required to prevent airway complications such as aspiration during surgery by making sure your stomach is empty. However, if you are taking one of the new, popular weight loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus or Wegovy), we are learning 8 hours may not be enough time for your stomach to empty. Experts are now recommending stopping semaglutide and other similar diabetic/weight loss drugs from days to weeks before any elective procedure to prevent possible severe surgical complications.

One of the effects of semaglutide is delayed stomach emptying. This means food can stay in your stomach for days instead of the usual hours. Even with a day of not eating, the stomach can still be full, increasing the risk of aspiration and pneumonia during surgery. 

Moreover, semaglutide has a half-life of about one week. This means only half the drug is out of your system in a week. The article acknowledges that there are currently no guidelines for the timing of stopping GLP-1 medications before surgery. They propose holding GLP-1 medications four weeks prior to a scheduled procedure when feasible and considering full stomach precautions.

Weight loss medications can be life changing. For patients who are significantly overweight and have failed other weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise, it can even be life saving. But stopping GLP-1 agonists before elective surgery is critical and must be carefully planned to avoid complications during surgery.  If you have lost weight with the use of semaglutide or another GLP-1 receptor agonist  and are considering a Tummy Tuck or other skin tightening procedures, inform your surgeon of all current and recent medications, supplements and over-the-counter meds. No matter how well trained and experienced, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon still needs all the information to make your surgery safe and predictable.

To schedule a private consultation for skin reduction after weight loss, call (925) 943-6353 today.

[bendersfolkpunk]

I'm being put on either metformin or rebelsus 😻😻😻