Do I have to stop taking my birth control before I have my breast augmentation?

Question

I know there's a lot of medications and vitamins that I have to stop taking and not take for a while and I was just wondering if that's one of them.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Most physicians do not ask patients to stop their birth control before a breast augmentation.  There is an increased risk of developing a blood clot, especially if you smoke cigarettes, so always best to have your physician make the best recommendation for your particular situation.  In order to minimize the risks of leg clots from forming most physicians use leg squeezers to massage your legs during surgery as well as occasionally use blood thinners.  Hope this helps.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

I recommend discussing this with your surgeon.  I have my patients stop all hormone medications two weeks prior to surgery as well as two weeks after surgery as oral contraceptives and other estrogen containing medications can increase your risks of blood clots after surgery.

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

The major risk of taking Birth Control Pills (BCP) around the time of your surgery is that it increases the possibility that clots that can form in your veins (deep venous thrombosis) and can travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolus) which is very serious and can even cause death. The biggest risk is if you have your surgery withing the first year of (re)starting BCP, and especially if you have risk factors for clotting - such as a genetic tendency, smoker, certain medical conditions, prior history of a clot, etc). In my own practice I would instruct you to not take BCP if within a year prior to  your surgery and use an alternate method of birth control. If you have been on them more than a year without risk factors, I would still make you aware of the increased risk and  recommend that you discuss this risk and ask advice from your gynecologist or PCP who prescribed this medication#preop#breastaugmentation

Gregory Sexton, MD · Answer

Not taking them reduces the risk of forming blood clots with surgery, but if are otherwise healthy and not a smoker, then I would not suggest you stop them.Good luck,Greg Sexton, M.D.Columbia, S.C.

Joseph Franklin, MD · Answer

With birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, there is an increased risk of blood clots in the legs - deep vein thrombosis.  If patients have been taking birth control pills for greater than 3 months, then I usually don't stop them prior to breast augmentation.  Would recommend discussing it with your plastic surgeon to get his/her final input.

Jason Brett Lichten, MD · Answer

Oral contraceptives and other estrogen containing medications can increase your risks of blood clots after surgery.  Most patients are able to continue taking birth control pills, but this is something you should discuss with your plastic surgeon.

Michael J. Denk, MD, FACS · Answer

Taking birth control pills (BCP) slightly increases your risk of getting a blood clot in your calf (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) during surgery. In order to decrease the risk from BCPs you must stop taking them 30 days prior to surgery. I typically don't recommend my patients stop taking their BCPs as a BA is a short low risk procedure. I consistently use calve compression devices and encourage ambulation early after surgery to minimize any risk of developing a blood clot. If you need more detailed information, please contact your OB/GYN physician. Best of luck.

Stephen E. Zucker, MD (retired) · Answer

I advise all of my patients to temporarily interrupt hormone treatment,
including birth control pills if they can. The reason for this is to decrease
the possibility for venous thromboembolism. Some people decline to do this, and
I advise all of my patients to wear compression stockings and to move their
legs and ankles frequently after the operation to keep blood flowing. If you
have a specific tendency to venous thromboembolism, you should probably think
twice before having any unnecessary surgery.

Mary Lee Peters, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question. In general it is not required to
stop taking birth control pills before breast augmentation. However, it is best
to contact your plastic surgeon’s office to see their policy on birth control.
Certain medications given during anesthesia or after the surgery can decrease
their effectiveness. Being extra cautious by adding an additional form of
protection is always beneficial.

Michael E. Ciaravino, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Birth control is not usually a medication that has to be discontinued prior to surgery. Although it is not one that is typically discontinued, it is best to speak with your PS about the medications your currently taking.

Do I have to stop taking my birth control before I have my breast augmentation?

Answers (10)

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