Will having high cholesterol put me at high risk for complications with breast reduction surgery?

Many people have high cholesterol and can undergo surgery safely. Your overall health will be established prior to scheduling elective operation.

High cholesterol can be significantly high and chronic in nature, or new and slightly in the abnormal range. Risks vary with each of these scenarios, bu to put things in perspective, smoking is a more immediate risk since circulation impairment from nicotine can cause dead skin and open wounds, so that would be considered a "higher" risk.If you are otherwise young, healthy, a non-smoker, and have a slightly elevated cholesterol, your risks are very low overall for any complication, including cardiovascular ones. But if you are older, overweight, and have a chronically high cholesterol, then your risks overall are still quite low, but indeed higher than the previous example.Since you need a pre-operative physical by your family physician, internist, or Gyn specialist before surgery, this will all be addressed before you proceed with breast reduction surgery. Follow your doctor's advice regarding your cholesterol and then follow your plastic surgeon's advice regarding breast reduction, but don't worry. This is an excellent operation with minimal blood loss and minimal "stress" to your system. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you for the question. As you know, having a high cholesterol may increase your overall risk for cardiovascular disease.   In order to evaluate your suitability to proceed with  breast reduction surgery,  it will be best to undergo a preoperative medical clearance;  let your primary care  physician or internist know that you are considering breast reduction surgery and ask for a preoperative medical workup. Best wishes; breast reduction surgery tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.