My Platelet Count is 124. Is This a Risky Value for a Full Abdominoplasty?

It is important to have enough functional platelets to safely have a tummy tuck procedure.  Your hematologist may run a platelet function study to see if your platelets are fully functional.  If they are, and with his blessing and that of your plastic surgeon, you can safely proceed.  Good luck!

Your hematologist is the real expert - but if your bleeding time test is normal, then the platelets that you do have are functional. Personally, I would not hesitate to operate on a patient with a normal bleeding time test and platelet count of 124k

Having a low platelet count puts you at increased risk for bleeding complications with your tummy tuck.  I would not proceed without discussing this with your plastic surgeon and your hematologist.  I also would strongly recommend pushing your hematologist for an answer as to why your platelet count is low.  Good luck.

    You already had a hematologist clear you, and this platelet count, presuming these are functional platelets, is enough to provide clotting for surgery.  50,000 is enough for clotting.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Based on your surgical history of 2 C-sections without complications with 114,000 platelets and no history of bleeding episodes, you should be able to have a tummy tuck safely. A minimum of 100,000 platelets is recommended for major surgery like a tummy tuck. As long as you have over 100,000 platelets that are functioning you should receive clearance from your hematologist prior to surgery. I recommend that you address this with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before your tummy tuck surgery. Best of luck. Dr. Richard Wellington Swift

 

Dear Rnholly77,

A platelet count of 124k is mildly low. If the remaining elements of your clotting system and your platelets themselves are working properly, then you may be ok for surgery. You should discuss these issues with both your hematologist and plastic surgeon.

Warmest wishes,

Larry Fan, MD

You are wise to be concerned about your platelet count with regard to this surgery.  I agree that your hematologist is the person to ask regarding safety, as it is a combination of platelet number as well as function that determine whether your blood clots adequately enough.  Platelet function assays can be performed as a part of your work-up, but in patients such as yourself I always get clearance from a hematologist prior to the operation.

What counts is whether your platelets are functional. Having had two uncomplicated c-sections suggests strongly that your platelets work well. You might recheck a bleeding time to be certain it is normal. But if it is and with your hematologist's blessing, you would be cleared to have a tummy tuck.

Dear Rnholly77,  Your platelet count is on the low side but most patients can successfully undergo surgery with the levels you have at this time.  However, you do have a hematologist involved in your care and that is the expert who should make the final determination about the risks associated with your planned surgery and bleeding.  Your past C-section history is good information but truely the final decison rests with your hematologist.  Best of luck. 

In general, surgeons like to see a platelet count over 50,000 for surgery. If you had no bleeding complications after your C sections with similar counts, you should be ok. Ultimately you need to be cleared by your hematologist and your surgeon needs to agree to do it.