Can I have a facelift if I'm on blood thinners (Xarelto)?

Question

I'm on a therapeutic dose of Xarelto. Is it possible to have a face lift?

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

I believe that being on anticoagulation is a direct contraindication for facelift/necklift surgery. The biggest problem that could happen is significant bleeding (hematoma) that could cause airway compression, skin necrosis, significant blood loss requiring fluids/transfusion/iron supplementation, and even possibly death. There are some select patients that can be operated on with the help of a hematologist/oncologist to ensure that the blood thinner can be held for surgery and properly resumed when deemed an adequate time frame (by both the plastic surgeon and heme/onc MD). In general, I would recommend avoiding any unnecessary risk, but as long as everyone is aware of the potential risks/complications/complications, it is a possibility.

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

Xarelto is an especially potent blood thinner affecting the extrinsic and intrinsic clotting system. During surgery  severe bleeding would occur. Some patients are on Xarelto temporary for a "minor" medical problem. In that case, please wait until your treatment is finished. However, the medical reason you were prescribed Xarelto might be a risk factor in itself undergoing an aesthetic surgery, like a facelift in your case. Don't take this topic lightly, and discuss it with your different medical providers.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

You do need to be off of blood thinners to have safe surgery. Many surgeons will work with your Dr. who is prescribing the blood thinners to develop a plan. Sometimes, physicians are ok with you being off of them for a period of time, or they may switch you to a different blood thinner that gets out of your system quicker.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Having a facelift while you are on blood thinners certainly increases your risk of having a hematoma in your face after your surgery. You should check with the physician who put you on Xarelto and find out whether you could pause the medication for a short period of time around the time of your surgery so that your surgery is safer, it decreases your risk of having a hematoma, and you can resume it relatively shortly afterward.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You would need to discontinue your blood thinners for a period of time before and after surgery, typically you would need to get the okay from your primary care doctor or whoever put you on it begin with.

Can I have a facelift if I'm on blood thinners (Xarelto)?

Answers (8)

Answer: Blood thinners and facelifts.

Answer: Blood thinners and facelifts.

Answer: Blood thinners

Answer: Blood thinners

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Can I have a facelift if I'm on blood thinners (Xarelto)?

Answers (8)

Answer: Blood thinners and facelifts.

Answer: Blood thinners and facelifts.

Answer: Blood thinners

Answer: Blood thinners

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.