Do I need to stop taking my birth control before my surgery for a BBL/Lypo?

Thank you for your question. Yes, definitely stop taking birth control before your surgery. Being on birth control during surgery will increase your risk of blood clots. Be sure to follow all of your plastic surgeons pre and post operative instructions. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago 

Oral contraceptives are associated with a higher risk of thrombotic events (quoted in the literature as high as 3-4x greater risk). These events can lead to serious and life threatening complications. For this reason, I typically recommend that patients cease use of OCP's 2 weeks prior to surgery and continue for 2 weeks after. They are encouraged to use an alternative means of birth control in the interim.However, this will vary from surgeon to surgeon and procedure to procedure. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

   This may reduce the risk of blood clots if you were to stop taking the birth control.Kenneth Hughes, MD

I appreciate your question.

I recommend that my patients stop birth control pills 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks following surgery.  Please discuss with your surgeon.
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thanks for your question -Birth control can increase your risk for DVTs (blood clots in your veins).  In addition, compression garments, immobility and general anesthesia can also increase this risk.  Usually even with the increased risk it is not significant but different surgeons make take a different approach.  At our practice we generally do not ask patients to stop birth control. Ask your doctor!

HelloI would STOP the birth control before surgery. Birth control will increase the risks of developing a blood clot during surgery. Blood clots in the legs called DVT, are a potential life threatening complication. It can occur after any surgery, but is more at risk for abdominal and longer surgeries. I generally recommend stopping birth control 2 weeks before surgery and resuming them about 2 weeks after. Obviously, use an alternative form of birth control during that time frame. As always, best to be healthy, no smoking, and make sure any health concerns you have are managed by your primary care md. 
Best to you.

100% YES!!!!    Birth Control pills Definitely increase your risk of developing Blood Clots!   The degree of risk is related to how much estrogen is in them.  Women taking Birth Control Pills have a risk of getting blood clots that is about 4x higher than women not taking BCP's.  Pregnancy has a risk 20x higher than non pregnant women not on BCP's.       So......   Yes!   It is a Fact!   Taking Birth Control Pills at the time of surgery is related to a significantly higher risk of developing Blood Clots!   I always recommend stopping BCP's at least 2 weeks prior to surgery and staying off for at least 2 weeks afterward!   

Taking birth control pills is thought to increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis or clots in the legs. Some surgeons will recommend that you stop taking them before surgery.

Hi there, contraception pills can increase your risk of blood clots in your veins.  I  ask my patients if they are on oestrogen containing pill (combined pill) or HRT, to stop it 4 weeks before surgery. This is as per guidelines in the UK. You should ask your surgeon what they advice. 

Hello dearThanks for the question.The birth control are not a contraindication for having surgery, and does not interfere with any process. So you don't have to stop it.Good luck :)