Breast Implants Safe While on Coumadin?

asked 2 years ago by muffincakes in california
Latest answer by James Tang, MD
Question viewed 1,496 times
Tags: age 25-34, breasts, female, risk, safety

Is having breast Implants while on Coumadin a bad idea, or is it possible? I am on Coumadin and have to take it for the rest of my life. I am a 29-year-old female who would like to improve her breast size. One breast is also bigger then the other. Being on Coumadin, I do not even know if it is an option or a risk. Thank you for your time!

9 answers to Breast Implants Safe While on Coumadin?

You will need to stop coumadin for a period of time

I do not recommend having breast implant surgery while on coumadin. There is a high risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding for patients on coumadin which can lead to a postoperative hematoma. After stopping coumadin you should have your bleeding factors tested such as PT and PTT to make sure that it is safe. You should also consult the doctor who put you on coumadin to see whether it is safe to stop taking the coumadin. If you cannot stop the coumadin, I... more

James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Coumadin and implants

You can not be actively taking coumadin before surgery if you are thinking about having breast implants. You would have to discuss the risks with your hematologist first.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Stop Coumadin for at least a week before any surgery

Coumadin is a blood thinner that will affect your ability to clot. The risk of bleeding and hematoma formation is significant while on this medication. You will need to stop this medication at least one week prior to any surgical procedure.

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

Breast Augmentation While on Blood Thinners

Any surgery is dangerous while on blood thinners. Coumadin has a long half life and therefore it is exceptionally dangerous. The standard is to have you stop the coumadin then admit you to the hospital for IV heparin. About 6 hours prior to surgery the heparin is stopped, surgery is performed and the heparin is restarted as long after surgery as is safe. With all that it's still possible to get a hematoma that could require an additional surgery. So it's possible but must be done with... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Coumadin

Elective surgery such as a breast augmentation should not be performed while you are on a blood thinner like Coumadin. You will need evaluation by your internist and hematologist to see if indeed it is safe for you to be off Coumadin. Further work up is needed.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Need to coordinate with your doctor who is in charge of your Coumadin

It is NOT safe to perform any surgery when someone is on anticoagulation medicine like coumadin. The bleeding would be uncontrollable. Coumadin takes a few days to stop and start having an effect. What is normally done for surgery is the patient is taken off coumadin and put on an intravenous blood thinner in the hospital for a few days while the coumadin wears off. The IV anticoagulant, usually heparin, is stopped within a few hours of surgery and restarted a few hours after surgery. The... more

Robert B. Pollack, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Elective surgery while on anticoagulants

As already indicated, you would need to come off the coumadin before surgery. Your hematologist may allow you to do this, or may change you to a different medication for surgery.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

Breast augmentation or enlargements with implants and coumadin

Clearly the coumadin can be transitioned to other shorter acting anticoagulants to prepare you for surgery but the question remains whether you should undergo the elective procedure. In my opinion, I would most likely advise against placing implants but depending on your medical history and desire, I might reconsider but only after discussing this with your hematologist. I have concerns about bleeding in the short term and complications in the longterm see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants not safe while on Coumadin

Breast Augmentation surgery CANNOT be done while your blood has been thinned on coumadin. The medical reason you have to be on coumadin (? artificial heart valve ? atrial fibrillation ? history of blood clots) will largely dictate if you can undergo a cosmetic surgery such as a breast augmentation. Under certain less serious conditions, when anti coagulation can be stopped for a little while, we stop coumadin and use heparin, an intravenous blood thinner. When it is time for surgery, the... more