When do I need to stop taking blood thinners before having CoolSculpting?

Question

I take blood thinners. Specifically Xarelto. How many days do I have to skip my med before a CoolSculpting session?

Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. You may experience some bruising after Coolsculpting because of using a blood thinner, but it is not necessary to discontinue it to get a good result.  Bruising can be addressed with oral and topical Arnica Montana, oral Bromelain (found in fresh pineapple core), etc. Your Xarelto is medically necessary and it should not be discontinued, even for a few days, without specific input from your prescribing doctor.  The new Advantage applicators have less suction and will minimize bruising-be sure to ask your CS provider if you are a candidate for these. Best wishes,

Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.It is recommended to stop any medications that thins your blood as bruising in the areas of treatment is possible.  If you are unsure about whether your medications are blood thinners please review this with your provider. Over the counter medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories and fish oil supplements may also exacerbate bruising and should be discontinued 10-14 days prior to your treatment .

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You do not need to discontinue your medication prior to a CoolSculpting procedure.  That being said, you may experience bruising.  Best to consult with the prescribing physician before discontinuing any medication.  Good luck.

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Good news, you do not need to stop taking blood thinners prior to a Coolsculpt treatment. You may however, experience bruising after the treatment. This is normal and expected if you are on blood thinning medications. Even when not taking blood thinners, there is still a possibility for bruising after Coolsculpt. If you are concerned with having bruising after your treatment, I recommend speaking with the Doctor that prescribed you to the medication. You need to first determine how safe it is to stop your medications. As said before, even stopping your medication will not guarantee that you will be bruise-free. Good luck.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The use of a blood thinner during Coolsculpting treatment may increase your chance of bruising, however, it is not necessary to discontinue to get a good result. The use of your Xarelto is medically necessary and should not be discontinued without instructions from your doctor. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine if you are a good candidate for Coolsculpting and to address your concerns. Best of Luck!

Lee B. Daniel, MD · Answer

Blood thinners like Xarelto®, NSAIDs and supplements like vitamin E and St. John’s wort can cause you to bruise more easily after your CoolSculpting® treatment. Talk to your plastic surgeon about his or her specific guidelines for how long of a break to take. The timeline is usually around 10 to 14 days before your treatment. However, it’s a good idea to ask your prescribing doctor first if it’s okay that you take a break from your medication. If not, you can still get CoolSculpting®, you just might see more bruising than you otherwise would.

Simon Liubinas, MBBS · Answer

I would definitely not stop taking your blood thinners (for any reason) without discussing it with your specialist physician. Why are you taking blood thinners? Your physician has prescribed you this blood thinning medication for a reason and ceasing it may put you at risk of blood clots that can cause strokes and other serious complications. Coolsculpting is an elective procedure for fat-loss and body-sculpting, and your health and safety must be your number one priority. That said, being on blood thinners in and of itself is not an absolute contraindication to Coolsculpting. It may put you at an increased risk of bruising from the treatment, but the risks of Coolsculpting are still lower than for other invasive treatments such as surgical liposuction. Your treating Coolsculpting professional may wish to be provided with a letter from your specialist physician explaining the reasons why you are taking blood thinners, and their opinion on the safety of your being treated with Coolsculpting (I certainly would require this, if I were your Coolsculpting professional). Best of luck!

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

Do not stop your xarelto without specific permission from your prescribing physician.  You may bruise more with coolsculpting.  Perhaps do one site at a time rather than multiple sites the same day to minimize bruising and see how you respond to the coolsculpting.   good luck

Vinay Aggarwal, MD · Answer

You don't technically need to stop taking blood thinners to have CoolSculpting. This is one of the main advantages of this treatment vs. a surgical one like liposuction. For many individuals, they are unable to stop taking their blood thinners due to a medical issue. If you are wanting to reduce the potential for bruising after your CoolSculpting treatment, you would need to speak with your prescribing doctor to find out if it is even safe to come off for a period of time.

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi wjohnjack,CoolSculpting can leave bruises in some individuals so patients are advised to stop taking blood thinners ten days before the procedure. However, if you need it medically, you can go ahead and take  the medicine. Either way, please inform your doctor.All the best, Justin Harper, M.D.

When do I need to stop taking blood thinners before having CoolSculpting?

Answers (10)

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