Blood work prior to Breast Augmentation

Thank you for sharing your excellent question. For most young patients who do not have any significant medical conditions blood work is not necessary for surgery.  Most surgeons will have you meet with an anesthesiologist as well to ensure no preoperative testing is required.  Hope this helps.

Hi JustWantBoobiess,

Depending on your health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used during the surgery, and the type of surgery performed, a variety of laboratory and diagnostic tests is going to be required by your plastic surgeon. Every surgeon has different pre-operative protocols.
You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and make sure he or she understands your concerns.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello JustWantBoobiess,
I appreciate your questions! Plastic surgeons have different pre-operative protocols, customized for every patient, to prepare for breast augmentation surgery and achieve the best results. The following laboratory tests are typically requests for breast augmentation patients: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Prothrombin Time (PT) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Serum Creatinine, Glycemia, Pregnancy Test, Electrocardiogram, Chest X-rays, Baseline Mammogram (for patients older than 45 years) and HIV testing. Tests must be done on an empty stomach. Patients will also need a full physical examination. Taken together, the results of all these tests will help ascertain that patients are healthy enough to undergo breast augmentation at this time. Consult with your plastic surgeon since he/she may order lab tests relevant to your case, and if you have any specific concerns regarding your health status, make sure to discuss them with your surgeon prior to the surgery. Good luck and may God bless you! Dr. De La Cruz.

Decades ago, it was routine to obtain blood tests, an EKG of the heart, a urine sample, and even a chest x-ray before any surgery. That is no longer the case. Current guidelines and recommendations call for no tests prior to breast augmentation in healthy patients under the age of 60 (except possibly a urine pregnancy test on the day of surgery). If you are on medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, or if you have heart disease, or if you have other chronic medical problems, then testing may be needed for your safety. Otherwise, please save yourself the time, discomfort and money unless your surgeon insists. Your surgeon isn't being irresponsible or cavalier, he's being practical in accordance with current best practices. 

Each surgeon has his/her own protocol, and so do different surgery centers. In my practice, basic blood work, urine test, and pregnancy test are standard for breast augmentation where you are going to be under general anesthesia. If there is any hint of UTI or infection, I do not want to be placing implants into someone in that scenario. I would check in with your surgeon to see if it was simply an oversight by the office, or if the surgeon truly feels they are unnecessary. Alternatively, if you had very recent blood work for another reason and she/he has access to this, then you may not need to repeat it. 

I appreciate your concern, however plastic surgeons differ with regard to protocol for young women undergoing breast augmentation. Many hospitals do not require blood work for elective surgery such as yours, however some physicians do require it. If you are young and healthy and taking no medications, just physical examination should suffice. Discuss your concerns with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Hello, preoperative tests vary from widely from surgeon to surgeon.  I know that some surgeons order tests on everyone but in my entire region there is a "Choosing Wisely" campaign to encourage physicians to reduce unnecessary preoperative blood tests at hospitals and clinics.  It is very uncommon to discover an anomaly in the bloodwork of a young healthy female.   Most patients who have surgery in my facility do not have preop any blood tests.  Of course people with major health issues like diabetes or cardiovascular disease require a detailed workup prior to surgery.

Plastic surgeons have various protocols and experience. I routinely required all of my 6600 breast augmentation patients to have a blood count, bleeding tendency, and pregnancy tests. Other tests might be done depending on their health history. Recently I had a patient who didn't mention that she was putting up with a sore tooth. The blood count revealed she had an infection somewhere in her body. She had an abscessed tooth that was fixed prior to her implant surgery. Your question is fair.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author 

Required lab work prior to surgery will vary by surgeon. If you would feel more comfortable having routine labs prior to surgery I encourage you to speak with your surgeon. Another option is to visit your primary care physician for a physical to ensure there are no concerns.

If you are below 45-years of age; are in general good health; and on no medications, then blood work is not required.  This is consistent with the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) guidelines for pre-op evaluation.  Even if you are over 45 and in good health, blood work may not be necessary per the discretion of your Board certified surgeon and anesthesiologist.Good luck with your surgery!PR