I wear acrylic nails, when getting a breast augmentation do I need to have them removed prior to surgery?

Great question !  There are specific rules for each surgical facility regarding what patients are allowed to wear.  Ask your plastic surgeon this specific question to make sure you are being a compliant patient.  Good luck.

Thank you for your question. While you should always defer to your surgeon, having acrylic nails should not be a problem. As long as they are not terribly long to fit the oxygen monitor, there shouldn't be an issue. Best wishes, Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS

Many of our patients have acrylic nails and have no problem using a pulseoximeter, so keep your nails and best wishes for your upcoming procedure.

 In most modern operating rooms, the technology to measure oxygenation in the blood has improved to the point where clear fingernails are no longer necessary.  Finger pads, toes, and earlobes  can be used  for this measurement.  Consult with your surgeon and anesthesiologist prior to surgery for their preferences. 

Thanks for posting. You should be fine, as long as your anesthesia doctor can put the oxygen monitor on your ear lobe or your toe. Best to ask them. The monitor doesn't function when special nails are in place.

The pulse oximeter typically works well if the probe is turned on the fingertip.  Also, oxygen probes may be put on the ear or toe to obtain an accurate reading.  Good luck on your exciting venture!
Cheers,
Brad Remington, MD

Thanks for your question.  As may studies have shown, acrylic nails can be harbors for microbes so most healthcare professionals avoid wearing such nails to avoid patient contamination. So, keeping your hands and nails clean is a good practice no matter if you plan surgery or not.  During surgery your anesthesiologist will likely monitor your oxygen saturation through a probe on your finger.  This is sometimes made difficult with acrylic nails.  Ask your surgeon what their preference is for your surgical plan.All the best,Steven Camp

While you are asleep during surgery typically a finger monitor is placed so that the anesthesiologist can monitor your oxygen levels. You may therefore be asked to remove one of these nails so that the monitor can be placed. The anesthesiologist will talk to you about this prior to surgery.Best wishes,Dr. Ravi Somayazula

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Congratulations on your decision to have a breast augmentation! Our anesthesiologists do NOT require that you remove acrylic nails, but this policy is completely dependent on who is performing your anesthesia. Your local physician may, indeed, require that you remove them. Of course, you will need an in-person consultation to evaluate you for this procedure. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. Any treatment plan should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.    Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS 

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Congratulations on your breast implant surgery.  Your anesthesiologist  will decide if you need to remove the nail so than oxygen monitor may be placed during surgery.  In my hospital removal of the nail is not necessary.