Possible to Have Tummy Tuck if I Get off Coumadin for 2 Weeks?

I'm 28. I've had two PE's (Pulmonary Embolism). First while on birth control then again during my 2nd pregnancy. I have a Filter and am said to be on Coumadin for life. I've seen 3 different hematologist and none have found a deficiency to cause me to have 2 PE's.

I also had a tubal ligation and my gallbladder removed while on this med. I've talked to my doctor about having a Tummy Tuck and she said it was ok for me to do as long as I get off the Coumadin 2 weeks prior 2 surgery. What are my risk?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Maria81 in New Jersey

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Dying to have surgery - history of PE

There was a similar question in the last few days. Your risk of surgery is very high, up to and including death, probably from pulmonary embolism. Hematology is a diverse field, and depending on how exhaustive the workup was, it may or may not detect where your your coagulopathy is coming from. However make no mistake 2 PE's are not normal. You are at high risk for having another one. People die from PE's all the time. So while you will undoubtedly find a surgeon to do your surgery if... more

Big risks with tummy tuck

Your risks are DVT, PE, Death. Let's be clear, a filter protects you from a PE, it is not a guarantee that you won't get one. If you get off coumadin cold turkey, you may just get a DVT. Tummy Tuck in your case is a high risk factor for DVT. If you want Tummy Tuck, consult with your hematologist, switch from coumadin to something like Lovenox. If you have the surgery, walk, walk, walk, and then walk some more after surgery.

Tummy tuck is a risk for DVT or venous thrombosis

Tummy tuck is one of those procedures in cosmetic surgery which produces the highest risk for DVT, deep venous thrombosis, which occurs when blood clots form in the veins of the extremity or pelvic area. Abdominal procedures, and those over three hours seem to have a higher risk profile, though DVT can be seen with breast reduction surgery as well. The presence of DVT often goes unrecognised, but can lead to PE, pulmonary embolism, where the blood clots impede the blood flow to the lungs,... more

Tummy Tuck while off Coumadin for 2 weeks

To answer THE question, your risks are very high. The only place to do the operation is as an inpatient in a hospital. Also you will need a full hematology clearance. Plus you and your family need an INTENSE INFORMED CONSENT including the risk of death. I agree with Drs. Aldea & Moelleken & Soto -'WHY?' do this at the age of 28 and being on coumadin for life. Didn't you post previously?

High Risk Tummy Tuck

Having had 2 blood clots without , as yet a known reason, means that you ARE at a high risk for recurrent blood clots. This is a fact despite not having found a cause for the clotting. I do not understand the reason of having a 28 year old woman on Coumadin for life AND placing a vena cava filter. The indications for Coumadin may have changed since I was a general surgeon but with a life expectancy of 50 additional years that puts you at a huge risk for bleeding complications in the future... more

Do 2 previous pulmonary embolisms preclude me from having a Tummy Tuck?

Hi there- While I know you would be able to find someone to do a tummy tuck on you if you search, I think it is important to maintain a healthy perspective... I would not ever want to knowingly risk a patient's life or health to make them happy with their tummy. The risk of a pulmonary embolism in a patient with a history of prior embolisms is significantly higher than in the general population, and a tummy tuck is the plastic surgery procedure with the highest risk for this problem. Please be c more

Recurrent DVT (clot) and Tummy Tuck or abdominoplasty

While the filter may minimize the risk of a PE, it does not prevent the possibility of a large lower extremity DVT with implications for massive venous thrombosis (phlegmasia cerulea dolens), thrombophlebitis, venous hypertension, stasis dermatitis and/or chronic venous insufficiency.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck if you're on Coumadin trouble

No one will do a tummy tuck if you are on coumadin -- but then again, if you are off coumadin you are a HIGH RISK for a PE. An ugly tummy has never caused death, but pulmonary emboli do. Be careful.

Tummy Tuck while on Coumadin

Obviously the risks of anesthesia, infection, asymmetry, seroma, hypertrophic scars, hernias, abdominal wall weakness apply. In addition you have risks from the coumadin (bleeding) and from the history of emboli (PE). Limiting these risks may mean placing you on Low Molecular Weight Heparin for a period of time pre and post op. This conversation should be between your hematologist and plastic surgeon.

Tummy tuck and prior pulmonary emboli

From your history, by definition, you have a hypercoagulable state. Though the reason or cause has not been identified, you still have the risk. Taking you off of coumadin will return you to your native state of hypercoagulability. There are other methods of keeping your body from coagulating during the perioperative time period (e.g., Levonox). However, you should also understand that tummy tucks have a somewhat higher incidence of PE than most other cosmetic surgery. It is believed that... more