Can I get a nose job while taking a Warfarin? (photo)

Hello,Thanks for your question. Rhinoplasty is elective surgery in most cases, so must be performed with an eye to maximized safety. Before you have surgery, you, your surgeon, and your regular physician must be on the same page. Some patients are able to come of warfarin, with or without using a Lovenox bridge protocol, have their surgery, then restart anticoagulation. This would have to be discussed very thoroughly since you need Warfarin for a heart valve. I have had many patients on Coumadin. Through close communication with their regular medical team, I have been able to perform elective cosmetic surgery and other procedures on all of them successfully as long as they were deemed ok to come of Warfarin temporarily.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Your nose could be improved with rhinoplasty, which would give permanent improvements in symmetry and shape, but it would be advised to switch to a different blood thinner. You can bring the pictures that you think would be flattering to your face and these can be discussed. When you meet with a facial plastic surgeon, he or she will consider your nose in balance with your other features and can over the cost of the procedure as well as options with your current medication.

Bleeding is the enemy or rhinoplasty. A small amount of blood under the skin can destroy an otherwise wonderful result. Additionally, more than a little blood can stop the circulation to the nose skin, causing skin loss and a cosmetic disaster. Having a nose job while on blood thinners is not advised.

There are may people in your same boat. In these cases I usually communicate with the primary physician and schedule the blood thinners to be switched to something different like lovenox which is an injectable blood thinner that can be turned off and back on relatively quickly. This is usually used to transition from the Coumadin 4-5 days before surgery and the continued for 3-4 days after surgery. This would be discussed during your consultation. Best of luck

You need to be off of your coumadin roughly 4 days prior to surgery and 4 days after.  If the chance of a valve clot is too high by stopping for 8 days, then you really can't do it.  Ask your cardiologist.  Best wishes.