Would Being Anemic Cause Severe Complications with Breast Reduction?

I am 24, 5'5", 150lbs, and have 34H breasts. I have desired to have them reduced since I was in high school. The thing I am worried about is my anemia. I am worried about something happening to me during surgery because of it. The only time I have lost blood is when we decided to do a group STD test. After having only the two vials drained, I was light-headed for almost 10 minutes. Is this something that could be remedied by taking Iron supplements, or am I basically stuck with these terrible breasts because of it?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by TheLadyzilla in Atlanta, GA

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Breast Reduction and Anemia?

Thank you for the question. Prior to breast reduction surgery your hemoglobin/ hematocrit will be checked to assess the presence of “anemia”. You will likely be pleasantly surprised that you will remain a good candidate for the breast reduction procedure. If not iron supplementation part of surgery may be necessary. Best wishes.

Anemia or anxiety

The likely reasons you felt lightheaded or weak was because you were nervous and had what is called a vagovagal response. Anemia can be checkedby taking a blood test.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction in an anemic patient

Hi there- First, I would agree with Dr. Aldea that the most common reason young people "pass out" during venipuncture is not because of anemia, but because of a vasovagal reflex. As far as your anemia goes.... The risks anemia poses to a breast reduction patient would depend on many factors, including the root cause of the anemia, the severity of your anemia (how low is your blood count), your age and overall state of health (young people in excellent health would more

Severe medical conditions may be contraindications to any elective surgery

However, I cannot tell that having fainted from a blood draw means that you are anemic. You may have just had a what is called a VasoVagal response. Some people pass out at the site of blood. If you have had your blood count checked and it is in fact low, the more important question is "why." It is generally not normal to be anemic and many forms of anemia can be treated. Having elective surgery while anemic is not a great idea, but you should be able to make sure you are... more

Anemia can cause severe complications

Yes, like not being able to have surgery. You will not be cleared to have surgery if you are truely anemic. Go get a blood count and get this issue corrected. From MIAMI Dr. B

Anemia and Cosmetic Surgery / Breast Reduction Surgery

You did NOT pass out because you lost too much blood resulting in shock but because you most likely had a Vasovagal attack. (I had seen several of my classmates pass out in second year of medical school when graphic slides (Hey-this was BEFORE PowerPoint..)were shown and the lights were low). The vast majority of pre-menopausal women have mild anemia. Mild anemia in younger people is actually beneficial because the blood flows better through the blood vessels with less clotting and... more