Getting pat-down at TSA since my breast reduction - should I be worried?

Question

I flew this past weekend. I noticed now I’m starting to get pad down through tsa since my breast reduction surgery. The first time it happened I just had on a plain tshirt and compression bra. Second time it happened I finally asked TSA they told maybe it was my zippers which makes no sense and they scanner showed orange around the area if my surgery. Should I be worried ?

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. 
There should be no reason to worry. It may be the metal zippers. Contact your surgeon with any question and concerns. Best wishes!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Clinton Girl 5,
Thank you for your question regarding getting a pat down at TSA since your breast reduction and whether you should be worried. Thank you for your interesting history. No, there is nothing that is done during a breast reduction that would incite extra security precautions by TSA. During a typical breast reduction, absorbable sutures are used. It is exceedingly rare that any metallic surgical clips would be used for hemostasis or blood control. If you are concerned, a plain film X-ray can be done to assure that there are no metal clips inside you. Otherwise, I think you are safe. TSA may have had other reasons to inspect you, or most likely it was a random check. All in all, I would not worry. I hope this helps answer your question regarding getting a pat down at TSA since breast reduction and whether you should be worried.
Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There is no reason that a breast reduction would trigger the scanning machines at the airport.  You can request a private area for any pat down by the agents and can inform them of your recent surgery so that extra care can be taken of the surgical area.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are early from surgery, then the scanner is picking up inflammation that occurs with healing. This should slowly calm down as you heal.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Unless you have something to hide, I wouldn’t worry about being selected for screening going through airport security.
Occasionally surgeons will use titanium clips to ligate blood vessels, but this would be fairly unusual during breast reduction surgery.
I think you are screening correlation is coincidental
Mats Hagstrom MD

Getting pat-down at TSA since my breast reduction - should I be worried?

Answers (5)

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Worried about TSA screening

Answer: Worried about TSA screening

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Getting pat-down at TSA since my breast reduction - should I be worried?

Answers (5)

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Worried about TSA screening

Answer: Worried about TSA screening

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.