Can I get a tummy tuck while still taking a low dose aspirin?

It depends on the opinion of your surgeon, as each surgeon has their own pre and post op instructions. Typically, aspirin should be avoided before and after surgery, however your surgeon may have a different opinion.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Performing surgery while you are on ASA to protect your stent from clotting could result in bleeding and other complications afterward. Surgeons usually avoid operating on people on the ASA for this very reason. A single aspirin will affect your body’s ability to make clots for 2 weeks. Therefore, most surgeons want their patients off aspirin for two weeks prior to any surgery. You may ask your cardiologist and/or hematologist whether there is a medication which you could substitute for ASA for the 2 weeks before surgery which would protect your stent and could be reversed immediately before surgery, so your surgery could be performed safely and then you could resume your ASA 12-24 hours after surgery. You should undertake this clearly understanding that this is a higher risk procedure than most tummy tucks, and you, your plastic surgeon, cardiologist and hematologist have to decide whether you would accept this higher risk benefit ratio.

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding undergoing a tummy tuck while taking a daily low-dose aspirin. First of all, congratulations on your incredible 130-pound weight loss — that is an amazing accomplishment and a strong step toward improved health and surgical readiness.

Your case is complex but not uncommon, especially among patients who have had cardiac events and are now seeking body contouring after massive weight loss. The use of 81mg aspirin (baby aspirin) is standard for patients with a history of stents or heart attack, as it helps prevent clot formation within the stent. However, aspirin also increases the risk of bleeding, which is a significant consideration during and after a tummy tuck.

While many plastic surgeons prefer patients to stop aspirin prior to surgery, there are cases — like yours — where it is safer to continue aspirin. The key is to coordinate closely with both your cardiologist and your plastic surgeon. If your cardiologist gives you a clearance letter stating that aspirin must be continued, and you are otherwise stable (with a controlled A1C, normal labs, and no other bleeding disorders), most board-certified plastic surgeons can still safely perform your tummy tuck, but with some modifications.

These may include:

Using meticulous hemostasis (bleeding control) techniques during surgery

Avoiding or limiting the use of drains

Delaying certain combinational procedures (e.g., liposuction) if bleeding risk is too high

Keeping you under careful monitoring during the early post-op period

Possibly using a wound vac or other technology to support healing if needed

Your surgeon may also choose to do your procedure in a hospital or accredited surgery center with cardiac anesthesia support if there’s any concern.

So yes — you can get a tummy tuck while on low-dose aspirin, if your cardiologist requires it and your surgeon is experienced with high-risk patients. Make sure you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who is comfortable working with post-cardiac patients and has performed tummy tucks on individuals with similar medical histories.

Thank you again for your question and your dedication to your health journey. You’ve come a long way, and with the right team, you can safely complete your transformation.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS