48 in good health about 10lbs overweight, elevated cholesterol (240) a fitness instructor. Scheduled for TT and lipo. Advice?

Question

What pre-op tests would you recommend for me? My surgeon also requires me to give 2 units of blood, is this normal?

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!Nothing drastic to change prior to surgery. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid herbal medications as many cause bleeding abnormalities. Hydrate well. Multivitamin.Donating blood preop is not normal practice. There should not be significant blood loss associated with this procedure. Blood donation will drop your starting blood level which is also not good. Be sure you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon.Best of luck!

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

A meticulous surgical technique for abdominoplasty (TT) and liposuction with the tumescent technique should result in minimal blood loss. I don’t ever recommend donating blood prior to any procedure.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Donating blood pre-op is not the standard practice.  I recommend discussing this again with your surgeon.  Make sure your surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  You can also seek a second opinion consultation if you feel the need.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us. I would recommend you to follow your  board certified plastic surgeon pre-Op advise. But you can eat healthy, stay hydrated. Donating blood preop is not normal practice, losing some blood during surgery is normal, is for prevention.Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

James E. Chappell, MD · Answer

I would follow you plastic surgeon's advice as to the pre-operative course, but there is no need, especially in 2018, why you would need to donate any blood pre-operatively under any normal conditions.  Losing some blood during surgery is normal, but it would be highly unusual to need a transfusion. If you are borderline anemic than donating blood is probably not an option, and if you are so anemic that it is even a question about having the surgery, I would get worked up by a hematologist before you have surgery. But I'll leave that between you and your surgeon.  I personally would ask why you need to donate blood.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Pre operative labs vary by surgeon, patient, and procedure.  Your surgeon may order blood work to check for general overall health.  Women of child bearing age will be given a pregnancy test.  Other tests will be ordered as your surgeon feels necessary.  Having two units of your blood on hand is not typical unless there is an underlying concern. I encourage you to discuss your questions with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I have never asked a patient to auto donate before for a tt and lipo,and I do them all the time.  Each doctor may require different blood work-up so you should ask yours what he wants. Good luck.

48 in good health about 10lbs overweight, elevated cholesterol (240) a fitness instructor. Scheduled for TT and lipo. Advice?

Answers (7)

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