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Birth Control Pills and a Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Greensboro7792 in Greensboro, NC
Latest answer by B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Question viewed 524 times
Tags: female, birth control

Is it ok to continue taking birth control pills and have a tummy tuck? Is treatment handled any differently if you continue taking them?

13 answers to Birth Control Pills and a Tummy Tuck?

Birth control pills and a tummy tuck

When we consider a patient for a tummy tuck, the most important consideration is the patient safety. We carefully screen patients and obtain medical clearances when necessary. In the preparation of your tummy Tuck, it is essential that you inform your plastic surgeon of all the medications they were taking and all of your current medical conditions. Especially let your plastic surgeon know if you are taking oral contraceptive pills and if you are a smoker. This is extremely important... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Birth Control Pills Increase the Risk of Blood Clots

Surgery and taking birth control pills both increase the risk of forming blood clots in the legs--a condition known as deep venous thrombosis or DVT. By stopping birth control pills several weeks ahead of surgery, some of the risk of DVT (which is a serious postopertive complication) can be reduced.

David Greenspun, MD, MSc
New York Plastic Surgeon

Should oral Contraceptives be stopped prior to tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty has a risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus. There is no conclusive evidence that oral contraceptives increase the risk with surgery, however, to reduce the risk I advise to stop oral contraceptives at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Robert Sleightholm, MD
Brampton Plastic Surgeon

Taking Birth Control Pills INCREASES the risk of Blood Clot Formation with Tummy Tuck

Regarding: "Birth Control Pills and a Tummy Tuck? Is it ok to continue taking birth control pills and have a tummy tuck? Is treatment handled any differently if you continue taking them?" Tummy Tuck surgery is associated with a higher risk of blood clot formation than other shorter operations and those done on other parts of the body. Taking estrogens or birth control pills greatly increases the risk of blood clot formation and even the possibility of clots going to the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

This is controversial

Although a number of my colleagues feel that Birth Control pills should be stopped, there is no incontroversial evidence that this is a fact. I lead a group at my hospital to study DVT and Pulmonary emboli and had a world class expert in this and he was unable to find real evidence that on had to stop BC pills prior to a tummy tuck.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and use of Birth control Pills (BCP, oral contraceptives, hormonal therapy)

There is data to suggest that the risk of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) are elevated during prolonged anesthetics in patients currently on oral contraceptives. Cessation of these has been advised by some for 4-6 weeks but this is, by no means, a standard practice and may depend on the estrogen content of the medication. It generally will not change the technique but concerns for prhophylactic treatment o DVT such as TEDs/SCDs may be elevated. IF you are at higher risk for DVT... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Stop your Birth Control Pills prior to surgery

Definitely stop your birth control pills at least 2 weeks in advance of any major surgery. Tummy Tucks are major surgery. Use an alternative means of birth control and make your surgery safer.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Tummy tuck

Birth control pills and tummy tuck or liposuction are a risky combination. I have my patients discontinue time prior to surgery. I wait a while prior to any surgery as well.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

No BCPs with a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is the riskiest plastic surgery procedure routinely done because of the small but potentially lethal complication known as deep vein thrombosis. The BCP can increase this risk so I always ask my patients to use alternative birth control.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and birth control pills

There has been an association of an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis with patients taking birth control pills and most surgeons would recommend you stopping them before surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Go with surgeon's advice on tummy tuck and birth control pills.

The previous responses explain the issue, which is small but increased risk of blood clots that could embolize to the lungs which is a very serious complication. If your surgeon has recommended that you discontinue your BCP's before your tummy tuck, it is probably good advice.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Birth control pills are linked to blood clots.

Most plastic surgeons will tell you that birth control pills increase your risk of getting a blood clot (or deep vein thrombosis DVT) which can lead to a pulmonary embolus (PE) and be a deadly complication of a tummy tuck. The increased risk is simply not worth continuing birth control pills around the time of surgery and I ask all of my patients to stop them for any elective cosmetic procedure. Many plastic surgeons are also suggesting being more aggressive with blood clot... more

Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

Birth control pills and tummy tuck

There is no contraindication to undergoing a tummy tuck while you're on birth control pills. There is considerable data that suggests women on BCPs are at higher risk for developing DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) hence the requisite peri-operative precautions are increasingly important for you. If you are having your surgery performed at an accredited surgical facility with qualified staff, your risks should be minimized. Consult with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns,... more