Is it safe for a TT? I have May-Thurner Syndrome that causes blood clots in my leg. I have a umbrella filter in my iliac vein.

Question

Is having liposuction and a tummy tuck safe for someone with my condition? Would any doctor even try to do the surgery on me? How much overweight do you have to be to be able to have it done? I have also had acute compartment syndrome caused by a blood clot?

Lu-Jean Feng, MD · Answer

You will have increased thrombosis with tummy tuck and liposuction. Even though you have an umbrella in your iliac vein, you can still have a deep vein clot and risk of acute compartment syndrome. I would choose more noninvasive, nonsurgical methods for reducing fat in your body.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The way to treat patients is to stratify their
risk and institute measures that are appropriate based on your risk profile.
  For low risk patients early ambulation is instituted.  For moderate
risk patients, early ambulation plus intraoperative sequential compression
stockings.  For higher risk patients, early ambulation, sequential
compression stockings and graduated compression stockings (TED hose) before and
after surgery.  For the next higher risk category all of the above
mentioned treatments plus subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin.
 Short operations with appropriate consideration of your risk will reduce
the chance of DVT. Despite the low risk profile of most of our patients, we
treat all of them with at least early ambulation and sequential compression
stockings. You are in a high enough risk category that a tummy tuck would not be indicated, even with all of the appropriate measures in place.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Your hematologist or internist is probably the best person to discuss this with, but I think that your risk is high for having clotting issues after surgery. This risk may be too excessive to justify when having a cosmetic procedure.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your medical issues.  The decision to perform surgery on a patient is based on your medical history and the surgeon's judgement.  I do not believe you are a candidate for aesthetic plastic surgery.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck is a lengthy cosmetic procedure with manageable risk, however there simply are health conditions where tummy tuck just is not compatible. You can state the discussion with your primary care physician and perhaps your hematologist, but tummy tuck might not be for you.

Is it safe for a TT? I have May-Thurner Syndrome that causes blood clots in my leg. I have a umbrella filter in my iliac vein.

Answers (7)

Answer: Surgical Candidate?

Answer: Surgical Candidate?

Answer: Is it safe for a TT?

Answer: Is it safe for a TT?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is it safe for a TT? I have May-Thurner Syndrome that causes blood clots in my leg. I have a umbrella filter in my iliac vein.

Answers (7)

Answer: Surgical Candidate?

Answer: Surgical Candidate?

Answer: Is it safe for a TT?

Answer: Is it safe for a TT?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.