It is always best to optimize your condition prior to surgery including treating anemia. This is dependent upon a host of factors including the amount of surgery performed, the cause of the anemia, and the treatment necessary to improve that anemia. BBL can be performed for most individuals with a hemoglobin above 10 or 11. Your surgeon or hematologist should be able to recommend an appropriate regimen based upon the cause for the anemia. Taking iron pills and Vitamin C along with eating dark leafy veggies, liver, lentils, almonds, dried apricots, beets, and other high iron foods will also help to elevate the level. Have your labs repeated a few days before your scheduled surgery. If they remain low, ask your plastic surgeon if he/she recommends that you postpone your BBL until they reach a satisfactory level.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA