Can I Get Plastic Surgery During Menopause?

Updated November 2025

Short answer: Yes, many people have plastic surgery safely during perimenopause and menopause. The key is personalization. Hormonal shifts can influence swelling, bruising, clot risk, sleep, skin quality, and how you experience pain and recovery. Menopause is also a life stage with new medical variables: blood pressure, lipid changes, bone density, vaginal and skin dryness, hot flashes, and sometimes hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A thoughtful plan built with a board-certified plastic surgeon, accredited facility, and qualified anesthesia provider keeps the focus on results and safety.

This guide explains what menopause means for candidacy and recovery, how HRT and common medications fit into the picture, which procedures are often requested in this life stage, red flags to avoid, and the exact questions to bring to your consultation. You’ll also get a prep timeline, FAQs, and a ready-to-clip checklist.

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon You Can Trust

Board certification (ABPS/ABMS). For plastic-surgery procedures, prioritize surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). This signals accredited training, rigorous exams, and ongoing competence.

Facility and anesthesia. Choose an accredited center (AAAASF, JCAHO or AAAHC) with a qualified anesthesia professional present for the entire case. Menopause-aware care includes clot-prevention protocols, nausea management, temperature comfort, and medication review.

Experience with midlife patients. Ask how often the practice treats peri/post-menopausal patients and how they tailor aftercare (sleep, garment comfort, bone-friendly activity progression, DVT prevention, skin support).

Menopause & Your Body: What Matters for Surgery

Hormones & fluids. Estrogen fluctuations can influence water retention and swelling optics. You may look a little puffier early on plan extra patience with photos during weeks 1–3.

Clot risk (DVT/PE). Age, surgery length, reduced mobility, and some estrogen therapies can increase risk. A good team will risk-score you and use compression devices, early ambulation, and medication when indicated.

Skin & soft tissue. Lower estrogen can mean thinner skin, less elasticity, and drier tissue. Expect frank talk about what surgery can tighten, what requires lifting rather than liposuction alone, and how scar care helps.

Bone and posture. Kyphosis tendencies, rotator cuff twinges, or lumbar tightness? Your positioning plan, return-to-movement schedule, and garment choices should reflect this.

Sleep & mood. Hot flashes and sleep disruption can magnify pain and nausea. Your team should plan cooling strategies, sleep hygiene tips, and nausea prevention.

Metabolism & glucose. Insulin resistance can rise with age. If you have diabetes or use GLP-1 or other agents, you’ll receive specific perioperative instructions.

Medications & supplements. Blood pressure meds, SSRIs/SNRIs, osteoporosis treatments, herbs, and vitamins all belong on your pre-op list. Only change medications under a clinician's guidance.

What About HRT and Birth Control?

• Estrogen-containing therapies (patches, pills, combined HRT): Some surgeons recommend pausing around surgery to reduce clot risk; others continue with robust DVT prevention. Do not start/stop without coordinating with your prescriber and surgeon.
• Progesterone-only methods or non-systemic options: Different risk profiles; still disclose everything.
• Vaginal estrogen: Often has minimal systemic effects; still list it so your team has the full picture.
• Non-hormonal therapies: Note that sleep aids, herbal remedies, or supplements matter.

Bottom line: decisions are individualized. The right answer is the one made jointly by your prescriber, surgeon, and anesthesia provider.

Popular Procedures During Menopause (Expectation Notes)

Facelift/neck lift: Great for jowls, jawline, and neck bands. Expect a natural, rested look; hairline and earlobe position matter as much as “tightness.” Scar maturation is a months-long arc.

Upper/lower blepharoplasty: Reduces hooding or puffiness while respecting eye lubrication quality. Dry-eye history needs a tailored plan.

Breast lift (± implant exchange): Addresses deflation and ptosis. “Perky but proportional” results often need a lift pattern; implant-only may not correct descent.

Abdominoplasty: Restores core support and improves contour; ideal after weight changes or diastasis. Plan for a deliberate return to upright posture and walking.

Liposuction/BBL or hip contouring: Skin quality guides candidacy; lifting may be needed where laxity is significant. Maintenance means weight stability and strength training.

Non-surgical adjuncts: Energy-based skin tightening, lasers, or microneedling can complement surgery; sequence them with your surgeon.

Questions to Ask During Your Consultation (Menopause-Focused)

Topic	Example Question
Candidacy	“Given my age and health, am I a good candidate? What would make you recommend staging or non-surgical options first?”
HRT/meds	“I use HRT/meds/supplements. Should I continue or pause? What’s the plan with my prescriber?”
DVT prevention	“How do you assess and reduce my clot risk (compression devices, early walking, medication if indicated)?”
Skin & scars	“How does my skin quality change technique or scar expectations? Can I see 3–5 similar cases and timeline photos?”
Anesthesia	“Who provides anesthesia, what monitoring is used, and what’s the nausea/pain prevention plan?”
Bone & comfort	“I have neck/back/shoulder issues. How will you position me and pace activity to avoid flares?”
Recovery timing	“When am I work-capable vs. photo-comfortable? What are my lifting/driving/sleeping positions and for how long?”
Labs & clearances	“Do I need recent labs or cardiac clearance? How do you decide?”
Revision reality	“What is your revision rate for my procedure and timing if a touch-up is appropriate?”

Why this list works: it translates life-stage realities into safety systems and realistic expectations.

Red Flags to Avoid

• No ABPS certification, evasive training history, or refusal to verify.
• Non-accredited facility or vague anesthesia presence/monitoring.
• No DVT prevention discussion for longer cases or estrogen use.
• “Scarless,” “no downtime,” or perfection guarantees.
• Pressure to add extra procedures that don’t serve your goals or health bandwidth.
• Dismissiveness about sleep, bone comfort, dry eye, or medication review.

Two or more? Slow down and seek a second opinion.

Preparation Timeline (Menopause-Savvy Plan)

6–8 weeks before

• Medical audit: Full list of meds, hormones, and supplements with doses and schedules. Share prior surgeries, clot history, dry-eye symptoms, bone/joint issues, sleep problems, and snoring/OSA.
• Lifestyle steadiness: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep, daily walking, and a protein-forward, fiber-rich diet. Avoid crash dieting.
• Support circle: Line up a ride, first-night adult, help for meals/pets, and a calm check-in buddy.

4 weeks before

• HRT/med plan: Confirm continue vs. pause decisions with your prescriber and surgeon; arrange backup contraception if applicable.
• Labs/clearance: Complete anything requested (e.g., basic labs, EKG).
• Home prep: Wedge or recliner (facelift/bleph), BBL pillow if applicable, compression garments, gentle skin care, low-sodium meal prep.

2 weeks before

• Detailed instructions: Fasting, shower/skin prep, medication timing (including GLP-1/insulin/orals), and after-hours contact.
• Mobility rehearsal: Practice sleep positions, off-loading strategies, and short walk routines.
• Stress plan: Simple breathing exercises; reduce alcohol; limit late-night screens.

1 week before

• Comfort kit: Lip balm, eye drops if advised for bleph, cooling tools for flashes (fan, cold packs), soft clothing, extra garment liners.
• Work plan: Get a written note with restrictions; set realistic return-to-work dates by job type.

Day before

• Pack meds and paperwork: Include HRT/thyroid/blood pressure meds as instructed; bring a written schedule.
• Hydrate and sleep early.

(Always follow your surgeon’s specific protocol.)

Recovery Considerations Specific to Menopause

Swelling optics. Expect early puffiness; elevation, garment use, short walks, and hydration help. Avoid high-sodium foods early on.

Sleep support. Keep the room cool; consider breathable fabrics and a bedside fan. Build in a simple pre-sleep routine (stretch, brief reading, device off).

Skin & scars. Dry skin benefits from a gentle moisturizer away from incisions until cleared; later, follow your surgeon’s scar-care protocol (silicone, taping, sun protection).

Movement progression. Daily short walks are medicine. Add light mobility once cleared; return to strength training gradually to protect joints and posture.

Mood check-ins. Hormone shifts plus normal recovery dips can feel louder. Acknowledge them; stick to your written plan; call if anything feels off medically.

When to call. One-sided calf pain/swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain; rapidly expanding bruising with severe pain; fever/chills; uncontrolled nausea; wound redness/odor or unusual drainage. Use after-hours contacts without hesitation.

What Makes a Facility Safe

Accreditation bodies

• AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities)
• The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
• AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care)

Expect a qualified anesthesia provider to be present for the entire case; continuous monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and capnography for moderate/deep sedation); emergency equipment (defibrillator/crash cart); medication safety; and transfer agreements. Your surgeon should maintain hospital privileges.

FAQs (mark with FAQPage schema in your CMS)

Is menopause itself a reason to avoid plastic surgery? No. Age and menopause are not automatic disqualifiers. Your candidacy depends on overall health, procedure choice, and a safety-first plan.

Do I have to stop HRT? Not always. Some teams pause certain estrogen therapies; others continue with enhanced DVT prevention. Decisions are individualized with your prescriber.

Will I swell more after surgery because of menopause? You might notice more water retention early. Elevation, garments, walking, hydration, and patience are your allies.

Are results different after menopause? Skin quality and elasticity influence technique and scar expectations. The right plan can still deliver natural, meaningful improvement.

How soon can I get back to work? Ranges depend on procedure and job type (desk vs. public-facing vs. manual). Your surgeon will provide a personalized window and restrictions.

Your Menopause-Savvy Surgery & Safety Checklist

• I verified ABPS certification and hospital privileges
• I confirmed facility accreditation (AAAASF/JCAHO/AAAHC) and anesthesia presence.
• I shared a complete list of HRT/meds/supplements and coordinated any changes with my prescriber.
• I received a DVT prevention plan (compression devices, early walking, medication if indicated).
• I discussed skin quality, scar expectations, and saw 3–5 comparable cases with timelines.
• I have a nausea/pain plan and temperature-comfort strategies.
• I set realistic work/drive timelines and obtained a work note with restrictions.
• My home setup (sleep, garments, meals, hydration) is ready.
• I know after-hours contacts and red-flag symptoms.
• I committed to no same-day booking and will review documents calmly before scheduling.

Find Your Match

Ready to plan surgery with menopause-smart care?
AestheticMatch connects you with ABPS-certified, pre-vetted plastic surgeons who operate in accredited facilities and personalize recovery to your hormonal health.