OK to continue birth control before surgery?

Birth control pills, especially if combined with smoking, can increase blood clot risk on their own, and the risk would go up to some degree after surgery.  Temporarily stopping the pills would probably be advisable in your case.You can further reduce your risk of clot  formation by using sequential compression devices (a fancy term for inflatable leg massagers) before, during, and after surgery along with maintaining good hydration the first 24 hours.Be aware of the risks, but also speak with your plastic surgeon about your risk level, and most importantly ways to reduce it.

Hello, The extent of your surgeries and length of time required under anesthetic as well as down time mean that for my patient, I would advise stopping  one cycle prior to surgery. The health risks associated may outweigh the risk of weight gain for you- as undesirable as that is. Your Surgeon will want to take additional precautions if you do not stop.You and your Plastic Surgeon should have a clear, frank discussion about this before proceeding.All the best

There's no right or wrong answer to this particular situation but you should discuss is very specifically with your surgeon. The surgeon may want you to stop for the purpose of reducing the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Birth control increases your risks of developing blood clots. I suggest you talk to your surgeon, not the nurse, about your condition. They may be able to recommend something that will allow you to have the surgery. 

Thank you for your question.I advise my patients to stop birth control pills before surgery after consultation with the Gynecologist and Primariy Care Physician. I would advise you to talk to your Plastic Surgeon to get his advise regarding this issue. All The Best !

I appreciate your question.You need to check with the doctor prescribing you the birth control medication and your plastic surgeon.  The two of them together can make the most informed, safe choice for you since they are most familiar with your medical history.  I have my patients stop all hormone medications 2 weeks prior to surgery.

The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.



best of luck!



Dr Schwartz

The development of blood clots (DVT) postoperatively is one of the greatest concerns surgeons have for patient's in the postoperative period. A blood clot can cause problems in the vicinity of the clot but can also break off and travel to the lungs resulting in a potentially lethal outcome. For that reason most surgeons utilize a screening system preoperatively that assigns a numerical grade to each of several known risks related to the development of a blood clot. One of the most important risk factors is the use of birth control pills. Typically surgeons will recommend that these be discontinued for 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks postoperatively. If for some reason it is not possible to discontinue this type of medication it will likely be necessary to utilize some type of blood thinning agent postoperatively. Most surgeons however would prefer to eliminate a potential threat such as this by discontinuing it preoperatively. Good luck

Your GYN , Plastic Surgeon, and the anesthesia department should make a determination after review of your medical history.  This will depend on your history of blood clots.