Are there any safe outcomes from getting a breast augmentation with a undiagnosed heart condition?

Question

Hi! I was wondering if it safe to get a breast augmentation while having a heart condition? I haven't been fully diagnosed with an exact heart condition but my cardiologist said at first that it is a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation after a heart cath and TEE but every other doctor including ones in Mayo clinic say that there is nothing wrong and I'm "deconditioned" is there any safe outcomes from getting a breast augmentation with a undiagnosed heart condition? Also is general anesthesia safe? Or is IV mac even used for BA?

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Each surgeon will have their own protocol they wish to follow when dealing with a patient with medical issues.  Your surgeon may choose to operate in the hospital vs their in office ambulatory center.  I would suggest speaking with your specialists, your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and PCP.  Best of luck to you.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hello dear. 
Thank you for your question and provided information as well.
If you are considering a surgery, I recommend you to visit to get a clearance from your doctor prior to surgery. Please consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get to know if you can have the surgery.
Hope this helps and best of lucks.

Dr. Luis Mejia.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Your board certified plastic surgeon would require clearance from your cardiologist and work together to design a plan. Make sure that your surgery is performed in a hospital or fully accredited surgery center with a certified anesthesiologist who has experience in emergency and critical care situations and preserve his/her skills by retaining his/her hospital positions, performing codes for patients at risk of death from heart attack, stroke, or embolus who require advance cardiac life support and beyond.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You would need to be cleared by the cardiologist prior to breast surgery. If the heart condition is asymptomatic and it has not impacted your life I suspect it would be safe to have breast implants. The plastic surgeon and radiologist need to communicate prior to surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Gslaughter23,
you should get a clearance from your cardiologist prior to surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. More information regarding your medical condition is needed for a better advice. Generally speaking, a stable medical condition, adequately treated, should not prevent you from getting a breast augmentation. I would suggest that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a more complete evaluation. Your plastic surgeon is going to need to get a clearance from your cardiologist in order to determine your candidacy. 
  
Best,
  
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.
  
Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Charles Nduka, MD · Answer

The first and most important thing to do is to secure a medical clearance from your cardiologist and primary care physician for aesthetic surgery. Some cardiac conditions are safe for surgery, while some may cause complications during and after the procedure. Once you have the medical clearance from your cardiologist, proceed with consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person examination and a detailed discussion of your surgical options.

Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc · Answer

The health of patients is always at the upmost importance and I would not be prepared to operate on anyone with any heart condition without getting medical clearance from their cardiologist for surgery.If you do get the clearance to go ahead then you must make sure that your surgery is performed in a hospital with a certified anesthesiologist who is fully aware of your medical history.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You would need a medical clearance from your cardiologist for surgery. Once you have that, then elective surgery under general anesthesia should be safe. If your cardiologist recommends no surgery, then none should be done under any type of anesthesia.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Based on the information given the best place to begin is a visit to your cardiologist to discuss your desire for elective plastic surgery.  If given medical clearance you can then proceed in scheduling a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you. Between your cardiologist, surgeon, and anesthesiologist a decision will be made if it is safe for you to undergo general anesthesia.