Do I have to take my piercings out before my breast augmentation?

Question

I've read that you can't wear any jewelry during surgery because of heat conduction. I have 6 piercings on my ears and one on my navel. All of my jewelry is pure gold or surgical steel. Many of them are difficult to remove and I have to go to my piercer to get them put back in, which is inconvenient especially after having a surgery.

Ajay Mahajan, MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

There two kinds of cautery machines - bipolar diathermy and monopolar diathermy. Electric current is conducted from one prong of the forceps to the other prong in a bipolar forceps. Wearing jewellery when using bipolar diathermy is not an issue. However, electricity flows from the diathermy point to the diathermy pad in  monopolar diathermy. The diathermy pad is usually stuck far away from the operating site on the thigh. Metal present in this electrical path is at a risk of conducting the electricity and causing a localised burn injury. It is therefore not advisable to wear any metal jewellery during surgery of the breast, where monopolar diathermy is used to create the pocket for the implant.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

Problem is risk of being burnt by the electrocatery which is needed to control risky bleeding.. Alternative is to use a balloon dissector which would cost an additional thousand dollars and you still might need electrocautery to control bleeding spots. Nipple piercings have an additional risk of nipple necrosis or lioss of nipple from swelling of the nipple. Good luck with your breast augmentation. Have you considered lip rings to create enlarged lips?

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Yes, these can be taking out just before surgery and replaced immediately afterwards. I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with and who is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Best wishes!

Dr. DesaiHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach Trained, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Best wishes!

Dr. DesaiHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach Trained, Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Unfortunately, you will need to remove them in order to avoid heat conduction during the surgery.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

John Paul Tutela, MD · Answer

Thanks for reaching out.  It is definitely best if you remove them.  There is a small risk that the electrical device that is used to stop bleeding during surgery could conduct heat to where your piercings are.  This could potentially cause a burn at that location.I hope this helps :)

Ryan Hoffman, MD · Answer

Yes, you have to remove all piercings prior to a surgical procedure. If not, you run the risk of burning the areas. Good luck in surgery!

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Yes, unfortunately you'll have to take them all out. There is a risk of infection and burns. Talk to your Plastic Surgeon about surgery prep.All the best

Alfred Sofer, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Although inconvenient, without question, all piercings must come out. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  While I can appreciate the inconvenience that removing some body piercings may pose, it is important that all metal piercings are removed prior to surgery to reduce the risk of skin burns.  The concern is that the electrical current generated by the bovie electrocautery system, that is often used to reduce bleeding during surgical procedures, can travel to your metal piercings rather than the grounding pad during surgery.  With that said, there are some instances where piercings cannot be removed and surgeons will place tape as a 'buffer' or sorts.I would recommend speaking with your operating surgeon to discuss your concerns and his/her specific protocol when it comes to body piercings and surgery.  I request that my patients remove all piercings pre-operatively to reduce this un-necessary risk, and in most cases these piercings can be replaced within 24 hours of your procedure.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.The metal does put you at an increased risk for a burn during surgery. If you have any piercings in the nipples or belly button, those are the main ones I would have you remove. It also can increase the risk for an infection after surgery. Good luck.