With a high a1c, can I still get breast augmentation?

Question

I have type 1 diabetes and im 32 with no other complications. My a1c has been 10-11 the past 6 months. I want to have my breast done in the next 2 weeks! Is it possible

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Quite simply,  I would suggest having a thorough discussion with your medical doctor about bringing your blood sugar and diabetes control into a normal, well-managed status.  Although your surgery might go well, why risk any problems, such as infections, that could result from poorly controlled diabetes.  It is safer to wait a little while, get into tip top shape, and then have your surgery.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Before any elective surgery it is important that all medical conditions are optimized.  Because of the risk of infection and wound healing issues I would delay your surgery and talk to your endocrinologist about additional ways to control your sugars.  Hope this helps.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Elevated blood sugars are a risk factor for infection and for lung related complications after surgery. I would not risk it. If you get an infection, your implant might need to be removed to fix it. This can more than double the cost of surgery and can possibly cause permanent asymmetry. It’s possible your surgery will go perfectly well, but with elective surgery it’s always best to make sure you optimize all the factors you can control. This includes working on better blood sugar control before you have surgery.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Diabetes increases the risk of infection and wound healing problems.  You want to make sure your DM is well controlled or you may end up with complications and wasted money.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The final decision will be up to your surgeon, but with your a1c being as high as you reported it is likely you'll need to postpone surgery until you can get it under better control.  This is for your safety and to keep risks like infection from elevating.  I've included a video on this that I hope you find helpful.

David Bogue, MD · Answer

Your hemoglobin A1C is an indication of your diabetic control over time. Higher A1Cs mean poorer control of your diabetes. 10-11 is quite a high value. I would recommend working closely with your endocrinologist to get your glucose under tighter control prior to any breast augmentation. Diabetes increases the risk of surgical infections and wound healing complications. Having your diabetes under tight control helps to limit these risks. This is particularly important for an elective procedure that uses prosthetic devices like a breast augmentation.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

I would not offer you any surgery, you are a diabetic out of control!The potential infection rates increase in out of control diabetics as well as poor healing. "No surgery for you"

Eric YK Li, MD · Answer

Your type 1 diabetes does not preclude you from being a surgical candidate for breast augmentation, however, your hemoglobin A1C levels at 10-11 do suggest that your blood sugars and diabetes have been poorly controlled over the three months.  It is for this reason that I do not recommend any elective surgery at this time.  Ideally you are in your best health prior to any surgical procedure, let alone one that involves breast implants.  I would recommend follow-up with your primary care physician to first manage your sugars.  You can always pursue breast augmentation after your diabetes is better managed.  Hope that helps!

With a high a1c, can I still get breast augmentation?

Answers (8)

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