Tummy Tuck Lovenox. Want to Request Blood Thinners. Pre-Op and Post-Op Timing For Blood Thinners?

I have fear of blood clots/PE so I've decided that at my consultation to request blood thinners to help prevent against them. I was wondering what day does it usually start (before surgery) and how many days after to put you in the clear? And do surgeons usually do blood work before these surgeries?

Tags:

Comment on this

7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Kansascurious123 in Kansas

Doctor Answers (7)
Community Comments (0)

Blood clots

Blood clots after tummy tuck are certainly among the most feared and serious complications following a tummy tuck. certain situations increase the risk of blood clots occurring. Among these are obesity, previous blood clots, or combining a tummy tuck with other procedures making te operation excessively prolonged. also, diminished mobility after surgery can contribute to the risk. the routine use of blood thinners such as Lovenox has not become standard... more

Blood thinners and cosmetic surgery

As long as you don't have any additional risk factors, you shouldn't need any excess blood thinners after cosmetic surgery. This may put you at higher risk for bleeding complications. see video

Blood thinners for abdominoplasty

You have not established a medical basis for blood thinners, only a fear of blood clotting. If you had a medical condition which required Lovenox, I would wonder whether your medical doctor would clear you for surgery. I agree that Lovenox has its own set of complications and would not prescribe it because of an inchoate fear. The risk of clotting is extremely low, well below 1%.

Lovenox for tummy tuck

I would concur with Dr. Basu about the use of Lovenox for tummy tuck patients, particularly those who need muscle plication, since this greatly increases the discomfort, and increases intra-abdominal pressures, increases inactivity, and decreases the ability to take deep breaths, thus increasing the risk of PE. We use Teds stockings and SCDs, early ambulation. I have previously used Lovenox postop, for a few days. However, since Lovenox is used widely by general surgeons and... more

Blood Clots and PE and Tummy Tucks

First, there has been several studies on this exact topic. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a Venous Thromboembolism Task Force that has systematically reviewed this matter in detail. Multiple studies have shown the risk of a blood clot from a tummy tuck or related procedure is well below 1%. To help plastic surgeons select patients who may or may not need Lovenox (or some form of blood thinners to help prevent blood clots, there are published... more

Please don't make the mistake of trying to dictate the details of your care

Hi there- As long as you have chosen a good plastic surgeon, and you chose them for the right reasons, you need to trust them to advise you on how best to keep yourself safe and maximize the chances of being happy. It is a mistake to think that it would be in your best interests to "request" specific interventions that are associated with their own risks and which may not be necessary in your particular case. There's nothing wrong with asking your surgeon if Lovenox might be... more

Lovenox often a good idea with tummy tuck.

Hi. For most patients, we start the Lovenox twelve hours AFTER surgery, and continue it for ten days. Of course you need medical clearance with blood work before a tummy tuck.