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!