I Want to Remove My Eye Bags, But Have A Clotting Disorder, Treated by Coumadin. Risk of Complications?

The decision to stop any anti-coagulation should be made by the physician who started the medicine and your surgeon after they discuss the risks and benefits. Bleeding complications can be severe, especially when you are removing fat from the eye socket. That being said, I have operated on many patients who were bridged from coumadin to Lovenox shots before surgery and then restarted on coumadin afterwards while continuing Lovenox until their INR returned to therapeutic levels... more

This is a very tough question and must be explored thoroughly with your surgeon. The risk of bleeding is increased in any surgical procedure for someone who has stopped anticoagulation briefly and then restarts. Another risk is developing blood clots elsewhere while off of the medication for the peri operative period. The eyelid surgery sounds purely elective for cosmetic purposes and the degree of dissection and manipulation of the tissue plays a big factor in the decision. Some... more