Can I Have Liposuction and Tummy Tuck While on Coumadin?

Your only chance of having a successful procedure would be to change from from Coumadin to lovenox, low molecular weight heparin. You would need the watchful guidance of a hematologist for this maneuver, and your risk of bleeding would be high. You would most likely need to limit the scope of your surgery considerably.
No sense dying to look good!

As others have said, no, you cannot have a tummy tuck while on coumadin.

More importantly though, is if you can have elective surgery with your history of pulmonary embolisms.  In short, no, I would not recommend that you undergo elective cosmetic surgery with a history of pulmonary embolisms.  Even if you were converted from coumadin to a shorter acting blood thinner like lovenox, it seems the risks are too great for someone with your history.

Furthermore, I recommend that you be evaluated by a hematologist/oncologist (if you have not already) to determine why you have already had two pulmonary embolisms at the age of 28.

Best of luck.

Jaime Perez, M.D.

Tummy Tuck Specialist in Tampa, FL

Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa, FL

Hi Maria81 - Taking unnecessary risks when having elective cosmetic surgery is not a good idea.  Blood thinners should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery, and this should be cleared with your medical doctors and plastic surgeons first. 

Your later thought is the sensical approach. Unless you are facing some life threatening indication for a tummy tuck (virtually impossible), there is no reason to undergo this procedure while on coumadin, And even in this scenario, the coumadin would be stopped.

Hi there-
If you were my mother, sister, or wife, there is no way I would let you consider having elective surgery (especially a tummy tuck) given your history.  

Unfortunately, if you have already had two pulmonary embolisms, which can be fatal, you should forget the idea of subjecting yourself to such a risk, even if your coumadin can be changed temporarily to allow for surgery. It is not fair to yourself to risk possible death for an elective cosmetic procedure. There may be fat reduction techniques available in the future that become improved and standardized, such as external ultrasound. It may not t give you the same risk, but it has to be considered seriously for its risks.

Maria;
There are several things that need to discussed between your plastic surgeon and your hematologist. For example, how long will you be on Coumadin? While the recommendations have changed, if you had DVTs and PEs while you were pregnant and hypercoaguable, you may only need to be on Coumadin for 6 months or a year.
If you are determined to have the surgery and need to be anticoagulated forever, you might inquire about switching to low molecular weight heparin for a brief period before and after surgery. LMWHs confer the anticoagulative effect you need but, supposedly don't cause bleeding issues. I say supposedly because various surgeons have differing opinions on this. Once you are out the woods for bleeding risk you can resume your coumadin.

Thank you for the question and for providing a detailed medical history.

Although I understand your current concerns  and goals  I would not suggest that you undergo any procedure unless the procedure was necessary to save your life.  Otherwise, the risk-benefit ratio, given your history of pulmonary  embolism (2)  is unacceptably high.

I hope this helps.

You definitely cannot have liposuction and tummy tuck while you are still taking coumadin.  You will need to stop at least one week in advance and have your protime and prothombin time checked to make sure they are within normal limits before your surgery.  However, you need to check with the doctor who put you on the coumadin whether he will allow you to be off coumadin for one to two weeks.  If not, then I would not consider having liposuction or tummy tuck done.

No one should undergo cosmetic surgery while on Coumadin. Given your history of 2 pulmonary emboli, you shouldn't have any cosmetic surgery. Speak with a hematologist (you probably already have) to discuss why you have had emboli. Cosmetic surgery should only be performed in those who are very low risk and you are not. Good luck!