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Blood Loss During Breast Reduction?

asked 3 years ago by catiesmomma in usa
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 956 times
Tags: breasts, breast size

I gave birth 3 months ago and lost a lot of blood, I had to have a blood transfusion because I was anemic.

If I lost a lot of blood during childbirth will I lose a lot of blood during a breast reduction? Should I be worried about getting an elective surgery if I'm anemic?

12 answers to Blood Loss During Breast Reduction?

Blood loss during breast reduction

3 months after childbirth may be too early to be undergoing a breast reduction since the breasts are still changing. With modern tumescent anesthetic techniques, the blood loss during breast reduction can be minimized. When I was in residency, we routinely had patients autodonate blood. Now, it is unheard of in our practice because of the minimal blood loss when breast recution surgery is performed expediently by a skilled surgeon using tumescent or superwet anesthetic techniques. All... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Blood Loss with Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. The blood loss associated with breast reduction surgery is not significant. More than likely, your plastic surgeon will be checking your hemoglobin/hematocrit prior to the procedure. It will be in your best interest to proceed with breast reduction surgery when you have reached a long-term stable weight. Also you should wait at least 3 to 6 months after breast-feeding before undergoing the procedure. Best wishes with the breast reduction procedure; it... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Blood loss minimal with breast reduction

The amount of blood that most patients lose during breast reduction is negligible, especially when compared with blood loss that occurs during childbirth. However, there are a few things that you should consider before having surgery. Three months after having a child is too soon for breast reduction surgery. I prefer that my patients wait a minimum of six months after delivery prior to any elective body contouring surgery...and preferable closer to twelve months. Also, if you are anemic now, more

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Blood loss is minimal during breast reduction surgery

It performed properly, a minimal amount of blood should be lost during a breast reduction surgery. The surgery is usually performed with techniques that minimize the blood loss. An experienced board-certified plastic surgeon should have enough familiarity with the anatomy of the breast to minimize blood loss and prevent the need for blood transfusions.

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and blood loss

First, if you recently had a pregnancy, then I would wait at least 6 months or until your breasts have settled down and your weight is stable to undergo a breast reduction. If you are severely anemic, then you should have a work-up and you may be at risk for healing problems. You should not lose a lot of blood form a breast reduction.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

There is minimal blood loss with breast reduction.

Hi! If you are really anemic (hemoglobin less than 11), take iron for two months before having any surgery. But a breast reduction is nothing like childbirth. When we do breast reductions in our office operating room in NYC, the typical blood loss is 4 ounces.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Excessive Blood loss is unusual during breast reduction surgery

Child birth is a very different situation than elective breast reduction. There are factors which might cause a woman to lose a lot of blood during delivery (problems with the placenta is one) that are never seen during breast surgery. It is very unusual to lose a lot of blood during a breast reduction. That said, there are some other considerations. I would recommend waiting a while after your delivery to proceed with breast reduction. First, you obviously had a difficult delivery -- I... more

Susan E. Downey, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Two issues here

First thing to do is see your internist or hematologist to ensure you don't have a clotting problem causing the excessive bleeding. Secondly, if that is ok, the breast reduction should not result in a lot of bleeding. The issue for me is the status of your breasts. This close to birth, you may still have milk, and even if you don't the breast size and shape may still change a lot over the next few months, so I would consider waiting for the reduction, a few months. sek...

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Blood transfusin from breast reduction is rare

Blood transfusion for breast reduction surgery is very rare. The fact you may be anemic from blood loss during child birth makes it prudent you obtain a blood work up from your primary care physician. Discuss the results with him/her prior to having breast reduction surgery. You may just need an iron supplement to help with your anemia. Breast reduction surgery is generally a straight forward procedure without significant blood loss. It is a very gratifying procedure for plastic... more

David A. Robinson, MD
Munster Plastic Surgeon

Do you have easy bruising or bleed spontaneously?

If this was the only time you had a bleeding problem, you are probably fine. A simple battery of blood tests of your clotting mechanism can also reassure you that breast reduction will be safe. The surgery is mostly done with a cautery device so there is typically almost no bleeding.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Depends on the reason for blood loss

Breast reduction surgery curently is a very low blood loss procedure. You should find out if there is anything wrong with your blood clotting system. If not you should not be a t great risk for excessive blood loss.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Blood work-up might be in order

The main question is why you had so much blood loss during childbirth? If this was not related to a systemic problem such as a coagulation disorder but more of a traumatic situation, then it is probably not going to impact your reduction. You should certainly correct your anemia before elective surgery. This may be as simple as taking iron supplements but your gynecologist might want to consult with a hematologist to see if there is any other tests that should be performed to excluded blood... more