Is it safe to have a mommy makeover if I’m a carrier, beta thalassemia?

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out with your question about undergoing a mommy makeover as a carrier of beta thalassemia. It's great that you're taking the time to understand how your genetic condition might impact your suitability for elective cosmetic surgery.

As you mentioned, being a carrier for beta thalassemia does not automatically disqualify you from having a mommy makeover. However, it is crucial to undergo comprehensive preoperative testing and evaluations. This should include a thorough analysis of your blood to assess hemoglobin levels and overall blood health, as well as an EKG and chest X-ray to evaluate your heart and lung function.

Monitoring your blood both before and after the surgery is particularly important. For individuals who are asymptomatic carriers of beta thalassemia (which can often be the case, especially in beta thalassemia minor), the risks associated with surgery are not significantly different from the general population.

For general knowledge, beta thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting hemoglobin. It ranges in severity from the mild, often asymptomatic beta thalassemia minor to the more serious beta thalassemia major and intermediate forms.

When planning for a mommy makeover, which typically includes procedures like a tummy tuck and breast surgery, it's essential to have a thorough preoperative evaluation. Your plastic surgeon, possibly in coordination with your internist or a hematologist, will be able to determine your readiness for surgery and implement any necessary precautions based on your condition.

In conclusion, with appropriate medical clearance and monitoring, having beta thalassemia should not prevent you from safely undergoing a mommy makeover, provided you are an asymptomatic carrier or have a mild form of the condition.

I hope this information has been helpful and provides you with a clearer understanding of how to proceed with your plans for a mommy makeover. Wishing you the best as you consult with healthcare professionals and consider your options.

Good luck.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thanks for your inquiry, the main risk of thalessemia and elective surgery is how anemic you are and if you have any acquired heart and liver problems caused by it. Your medical doctors which may include a hematologist will best answer this question. If they deem you do not have chronic/acquired problems and your hemoglobin is within a healthy range, you could consider surgery--good luck.

You need to consult a hematologist to evaluate the risk. Once you get a clearance and recommendations from a hematologist, then you can proceed.

Thank you for your query. I usually involve a Haematologist in the care of my patients who desire to undergo a major surgical procedure while being carriers for beta thalassemia. Based on my previous experience, you should be able to undergo the various procedures involved in Mommy make-over with some precautions and also in a couple of stages. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon, who may also request a consultation with a Haematologist/Oncologist, and help you with all your concerns and care. All the best!

The answer to this question is out of the range of my expertise. You should consult with the hematologist so that they could tell you your risks associated with having whatever procedures you’re considering during your mom makeover and your beta thalassemia. Your hematologist may be able to offer your plastic surgeon some suggestions so your risk is minimized. Best wishes.

Dear BASMAkhalil1,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You will need to get a clearance from your doctor prior to surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You would need to ask your medical doctor if elective surgery is safe for you. Most who are carriers do well with surgery.

I have successfully performed aesthetic surgery on patients who have beta thalassemia trait or carrier (also known as beta-thalassemia minor). This is ONLY done after the pre-operative approval/ clearance by the patient's hematologist. Be open with your surgeon during consultation or even consider seeing your hematologist first to confirm their support. Hope this helps!

The first place for you to begin is visiting with your hematologist to discuss your interest in a Mommy Makeover. If given clearance you can then pursue a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn about the Mommy Makeover. Extra precautions may be necessary based on an individual's medical history.

If you are heterozygous, then the risk should be relatively low. Some plastic surgeons will probably ask you to get medical clearance for hematologist.
Best,
Mats Hagström MD