Do I need to stop birth control before a tummy tuck? I would rather not if I don't need to.

I agree with Dr. Pousti.  Though not all of the data may be in, it's certainly considered standard practice by most conscientious surgeons to take patients off hormonal therapy prior to a tummy tuck.  I have patients cease hormones 4 weeks prior to a tummy tuck.  In my opinion this surgery has a somewhat higher risk of embolic event compared to surgeries that take the same amount of operating room time due to several factors.  The amount of pain after this surgery limits a person's mobility and the muscle plication is thought by many (including myself) to decrease venus return from the lower extremities and therefore increase the risk of clot formation relative to say a breast reduction of the same operative time frame.  In my practice I also use the blood thinner lovenox on all patients, have all patients see me the following day (to make sure they are walking), and check for clotting factor abnormalities (such as factor V Leiden) prior to surgery.  I also use a pain pump that allows for less pain and therefore a much easier time walking and being active after surgery.Be careful and weary of any surgeon that glosses over these issues and grabs your money as quickly as possible....I hope this helps.  Best wishes and good luck.

Thank for your question!If you are taking anticonceptives pills, you should stop taking them some weeks before the surgery. Ask your plastic surgeon for a plan. Those pills can increase the risk of DVT, (blood clots in the veins of your legs).The strogens in those pills is the cause.Have a nice day!