Is 10.0 hemoglobin level ok to have breast reduction and lift surgery?

I have operated on patients with hemoglobin of 10.0 using The Bellesoma Method.  Blood loss is usually minimal.  However, I would recommend you start taking iron medication.  The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained.
  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

I would encourage you to be at a HGb of 12 .There are iron supplements and green leafy vegetables that will get you there. Why run the risk of falling below 10 and be symptomatic? By increasing your Hgb above 10 your recovery will be better. Good luckDr PG

This is dependent upon a host of factors including the amount of surgery performed, the cause of the anemia if present, and the treatment necessary to improve that anemia.  Some PS will perform the BR and BL with a hemoglobin above 10 or 11; risk of low hemoglobin is bleeding. Your hematologist will have to approve you for surgery. 
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Dear taetae2,every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative 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

The final decision for this type of issue is made by a combination of : an Operating Surgeon, M.D. Anesthesia provider and the facility providing the Service. The clearing physician will also contribute to the decision making process. Normally, 10 is the cut off

Thank you for your questions. With an elective procedure such as this, there is no reason to take additional risk. Go see a specialist and have the anemia worked up and treated. Proceed with surgery only when you are in the best condition!Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Your surgeon made a very wise decision to separate the two procedures for your safety, including the anemia.  The important question is why are you anemic.  I would not recommend having any more elective surgery until you have had a complete recheck of your hemoglobin level and a through evaluation from your primary care DOCTOR including blood work, rectal exam and thorough history looking for cause of your anemia, and full correction prior to any additional surgery.  Please remember that plastic surgery is real surgery with real potential complications.  Proper workup beforehand is essential.   Best wishes to you!

Thank you for your question.  Lab results like hemoglobin are just a number, and they can have different meaning given different clinical pictures.  In general that number would be acceptable for breast reduction surgery, however I can think of some rare cases where that could potentially be concerning.  I recommend discussing your concerns and goals with your plastic surgeon in regards to your safety and risks of the procedure.  

A haemoglobin of 10 is sub-optimal for breast reduction. But as with all things risks are relative and the risk benefit balance depends on many tings
1. What is the cause of your relative anaemia?
2. Can your Hb level be optimised prior to surgery?
3. What is your clotting profile and propensity to increased bleeding during surgery?
4. What would be your attitude to potentially requiring blood transfusion as a result of surgery?
Blood transfusion is very rare after breast reduction around 1 in a 1000 cases. It is always difficult to justify for cosmetic procedures. But if your large breasts are causing significant problems then the risk benefit ratio may shift.
By teh way your surgeon was very wise not to do the surgeries together

Your hemoglobin is too low and this needs to be worked up by a hematologist before you have any elective surgery of this magnitude.  Anemia can and should be treated. Safety comes first. Good luck.