Is pregnancy test necessary before having a breast augmentation?

Question

Hello, I might undergo breast augmentation soon; I was just curious why should I consider having a pregnancy test if am not married? I do not live in the States, I live in Beirut. I haven't asked my surgeon about it since I didn't take an appointment yet to re ask my doctor , but I was just curious since I was reading the comments and so I asked. Thanks for taking my question into consideration, highly appreciated.

Michael E. Decherd, MD, FACS · Answer

Absolutely!  If you were pregnant, you would want to hold off on anesthesia...I think everyone would do at least a urine test before any elective surgery.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

If you think there is a chance you could be pregnant, a pregnancy test is in order.  It is not a good idea to be pregnant at the time of elective surgery as the anaesthesia or drugs you take could effect the baby.  (That being said, I can tell you I have had a couple patients who were pregnant at the time of their surgery and didn't know it, and their babies turned out perfectly fine :-)

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

If you are pregnant at the time of your surgery, the anesthetic drugs and other drugs given to you can cause birth defects.  You should not be pregnant.  It therefore makes sense to make sure you're not pregnant via a pregnancy test rather than taking your word for it because you may not even realize that you are pregnant.  It's just a routine step.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Here in the U.S., a pregnancy test is often required prior to any surgical procedure.  Anesthesia poses risk to the fetus during gestation. Marriage is not a requirement for pregnancy to occur. Any woman of childbearing age with female organs should be tested regardless of marital status.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.
You'll find that every practice has a different routine when it comes to pre-operative lab and medical workup. This includes blood tests that are ordered.  For most young, healthy patients minimal to no blood work is necessary. For example, often a hemoglobin check and a pregnancy test may be all that is indicated for a young healthy patient undergoing breast surgery.
In our practice, during the preoperative visit ( typically done several weeks prior to surgery)  patients are given a list of do's and don'ts that will help them get through the surgery and recovery safely.   We review their medical history and obtain any necessary preoperative workup necessary. This may include EKG and/or laboratory values depending on the patient's specific situation (factors such as patient age and medical history are important).
It will be best to speak with your surgeon and see what the office policy is for that specific office.
Best wishes.

Anureet K. Bajaj, MD, FACS · Answer

Most hospitals and surgical facilities will perform a urine pregnancy test prior to surgery.  Medications given during surgery can affect a fetus and cause birth defects, so it is important to be fully informed prior to surgery.  Also, if you are pregnant at the time of surgery, the anesthesiologist may need to take extra precautions to ensure the health of both you and your baby.  Good luck!

Arthur Shektman, MD · Answer

We require all women of child bearing age to have a pregnancy test prior to any procedure.  Just because you are not married does not mean that you cannot become pregnant.

M. Bradley Calobrace, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. It is a very normal step before any surgical procedure to test for pregnancy with sexually active, child-bearing women. If the woman was in fact pregnant, it is very unsafe. If you are not sexually active at all, a pregnancy test should not be required. Thanks for your question :)

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for your question and most practices do obtain s pregnancy test prior to surgery.  It is done to protect you and possible neonate prior to surgery rarely is it positive but better safe then sorryDr Corbin

William C. Rigano, MD (retired) · Answer

Certain drugs given during surgery can harm a baby in the first trimester. Elective surgery should always be performed with minimal risk to the patient. Pregnancy tests are always done preoperatively so risk can be minimized.

Is pregnancy test necessary before having a breast augmentation?

Answers (12)

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