My hemoglobin level is 11.9. I want to get a mommy makeover. Do I need my level to be higher than 11.9?

I appreciate your concerns, however your hemoglobin level falls to within reasonable levels to undergo this operation. Precautions are always taken in any type of operation to minimize blood loss. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area to greatly increase chances for the safest and best possible result. Good luck.

Each plastic surgeon has his/her own protocols on required labs and clearances needed prior to surgery. I would recommend having a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss what is an acceptable hemoglobin level to safely proceed with surgery. Good luck!

A hemoglobin value of 11.9 g/dL is low. A good Hemoglobin value ranges between 12.5 and 17 g/dL. Your PCP or whomever ordered your lab work can determine if you need to raise the hemoglobin before having a MM which will include a BL, gummy bear implants, and a TT with muscle repair.

HI Passionate,

Thanks fro your question. I think that the more important question for you is why your Hb is a bit lower than low normal? Have you seen an internist recently? Do you have any bleeding anywhere? Is this your normal range? Again, a good internist will check you out and (hopefully) will give you an explanation for your lab value. The number itself does not prohibit the surgical procedure but the cause needs to be determined first.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Christine Rodgers

Thank you for sharing your question. With both of those procedures you should be fine to have surgery with your current blood levels. There are precautions that can be taken to minimize blood loss, and actions you can do before surgery to also improve your laboratory results. Hope this helps.

Dear Passionate2710,
you should be healthy and your lab results should be within normal range before every elective procedure. But every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Your safety is always the number one priority during surgery. You should be fine to proceed with surgery with your current hemoglobin level as the procedures you are considering typically have minimal blood loss. The final determination will be made by your surgeon. I encourage you to discuss your lab results with the physician who ordered them to determine if any interventions should be considered.

The portion of the mommy makeover that involves significant blood loss is the liposuction during the abdominoplasty. Breast augmentation with or without a breast lift should be able to be performed with very low blood loss. Abdominoplasty without concurrent liposuction also can be performed with a lower level of blood loss. If your body does not require much liposuction then you should be fine at a hemoglobin of 11.9. I usually estimate around 100 cc of blood loss for every liter of liposuction aspirate. You probably will also have some post operative bruising that may involve some blood loss as well. Also, if you require any postoperative blood thinning to minimize venous thrombosis risk you may experience more blood loss postoperatively into your tissues.

multiple procedures can have increased blood loss and starting off and they make increases the chances for possibly needing a blood transfusion.

this is something you should discuss with your plastic surgeon during an in-person consultation. If you don't have a plastic surgeon it that I suggest scheduling multiple consultations with experienced board certified plastic surgeons in your area.

best,

Mats Hagstrom MD