Is blood loss an issue with breast augmentation? Should anesthesia be concerning?

Question

I'm having surgery in couple of days and very nervous about blood loss. My medical directive is no blood products. I have never had surgery and I am very nervous about anesthesia too. I am 34 yes old, 6'1 and 150 lbs. Athletic. Good health...only health issue is epilepsy which has been controled with no incident for 5 years.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Blood loss is not an issue during augmentation. I place breast implants submuscularly with an incision in the crease of the breast. Patients generally lose less than a teaspoon of blood during breast augmentation surgery.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

A breast augmentation is almost bloodless. Anesthesia is extremely safe. Driving to the surgery center is probably more dangerous than having the anesthetic.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Your safety is always the priority in surgery.  You will have an entire team of medical experts whose focus will be your safety and the best outcome possible for your surgery.  Breast augmentation typically involves very minimal blood loss and because it is a shorter procedure, you are not under anesthesia for long.  I encourage you to select a board certified plastic surgeon and have your surgery performed in an accredited facility.

Bruce Landon, MD · Answer

Blood loss is minimal if any with a sub-glandular approach.With a sub-muscular placement blood loss may be approx. 5-10cc.  With blood loss being minimal, most patients recover quickly. Anesthesia should not be a concern as it is very safe as long as it is performed by a qualified CRNA or anesthesiologist.

Khashayar Mohebali, MD, FACS · Answer

Blood loss is at a minimum with breast augmentation and you should do just fine with the procedure. Good luck on your surgery.

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD · Answer

Dear Eilleen8910,  You are not alone in worrying about blood loss and complications from anesthesia during a breast augmentation. Many patients have the same worries before their surgery.  BUT, the good news is that in most cases, there is very little blood loss with a breast augmentation; usually less than a tube of blood that you give to have your blood tested when you visit your doctor.  Hematomas,  pockets of blood, can occur after any surgery but are very rare with breast augmentation.Statistically, anesthesia is safer than riding in your car to the surgery center.  It is important to remember that there is a whole team of people there with one mission, to take care of you!Feel free to discuss your worries and concerns with your plastic surgeon who can help address your fears.  Best of luck, you should do great!

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In the typical breast augmentation blood loss is very minimal.  In most cases there is no blood loss during sub-mammary augmentation.  During sub-muscular augmentation and incision is made in the muscle and there can be a small amount of bleeding the typically this is less than 100 cc.  However it is very important that you discuss your concerns about blood loss and refusal of transfusions with your plastic surgeon before surgery.

Is blood loss an issue with breast augmentation? Should anesthesia be concerning?

Answers (7)

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