Has Anyone Had Problems with Lovenox After a Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Orange County6201 in Orange County, CA
Latest answer by Tiffany McCormack, MD
Question viewed 405 times
Tags: blood clot, medication

I was diagnosed with Factor II Leiden several weeks before a scheduled Mommy makeover. My sister has had a blood clot, but I have not. My PS decided to break up the procedures and I had a breast augmentation with no complications. I have a tummy tuck with lipo schuduled for next month. We have discussed using Lovenox after sugery or using sequential hose for several days after surgery. I don't want to get a bloot clot, but I'm also afraid of the bleeding that blood thinners can cause.

5 answers to Has Anyone Had Problems with Lovenox After a Tummy Tuck?

Lovenox and tummy tuck.

Factor II Leiden is an inherited prothrombin abnormality in which there is a predisposition to develop blood clots. It increases the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Typically blood clots occur in the deep veins and are considered dangerous because they can damage the veins, and lead to pain and swelling. In some instances it can even result in disability. DVT can break off and go up to the lung and cause pulmonary embolism which can cause significant pulmonary injury and... more

Kenneth Bermudez, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Lovenox and tummy tucks

I routinely use lovenox in high risk patients. Your surgeon is wise to use the sequential compression devices on your legs and break up your surgeries. There is a higher risk for bleeding with lovenox. However, I feel I can stop and control the bleeding should that occur whereas I feel relatively helpless should you get a DVT and/or pulmonary embolus. The latter is much more life threatening in my opinion. Ask your doctor to teach you the signs of excessive bleeding... more

Tiffany McCormack, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

DVT and tummy tucks

This is something that is both surgeon dependent and hematologist dependent. I always use SCD's( compression devices) and then follow the recommendations of the patient's hemtologist.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Blood thinners for prevention of DVT are not harmless

You are correct to be concerned about the the use of anticoagulants around major surgery. While they can save lives they can also lead to bleeding complications. There is no yes or no answer and any decision involves risk. Some surgeons wait at least 12 hours and others wait 24 hours after a procedure to assess postoperative bleeding prior to initiating lovenox. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Blood Thinners and Surgery

I recommend that my patients with a clotting disorder consult with a hematologist prior to surgery. Hematologists are best suited to evaluate the surgical risk and recommend appropriate medications, including Lovenox. It's much easier to treat bleeding than a blood clot (DVT) or embolus (PE)

Lawrence Iteld, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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