How can I reduce the chance of developing a blood clot following a breast augmentation surgery?

Question

I know there are inherent risks involved with any surgery, especially when under general anesthesia, but I wanted to know if I can do anything to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot or any other complication following the procedure.

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

Surgery has a number of risks. As a doctor I make sure to tell my patients about them so they may make an informed choice about surgery. It is also my job to minimize those risks as much as possible. One way is to do a detailed history of patients. This allows my staff and I to categorize the risk patients are at for clots and to take the appropriate actions to minimize them. I use the Caprini score to make decisions about leg compression and duration of blood thinners. The risk of clots in a breast augmentation is typically low. For most patients leg compression and possibly preoperative blood thinners are all that is needed. Getting up and moving around early after surgery is also important. Your doctor can go over your specific risks and make appropriate recommendations.

Luke J. Curtsinger, MD · Answer

If you have no personal or family history of clotting problems, then the risk of blood clots for this very short procedure is very low.  Many plastic surgeons including me, use risk stratification before, and use sequential compression stockings before, during and after surgery.  If you have a personal or family history of blood clots, then a hematology consultation could be obtained prior to surgery.

Jeffrey D. Wagner, MD · Answer

Thromboembolic complications with cosmetic breast augmentations are very uncommon, but occasionally encounters.  This procedure is short and not particularly painful and does not limit ambulation, so it is a low risk surgery for most patients.  Patients may be at higher risk if they have a personal or family history of blood clots, smoking, use of estrogens, and certain hyper coagulable conditions such as protein C deficiency, active cancer, and a number of others.  Obesity, certain major surgical procedures and surgery longer than about an hour are also recognized risk factors.  In my practice we utilize compression pneumatic stocking in all such procedures.  If patients are felt to be at higher risk based on a Caprini-type Risk assessment, selective use of blood thinners may be considered as well.  This is something to ask your surgeon about.  You can stop smoking and estrogen supplements/birth control pills, if applicable, to lower your risk.

Suleyman Tas, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello, Thank you for your question. Any kind of surgeries include its own risks, as a surgeon I do all required procedures to avoid the blood clots during the surgery. Keep searching for a doctor whom you can totally trust. Before the surgery I recommend my patients to put on the varsity socks and walk around in the room after the surgery. To find out more please click on the attached link. Best Regards

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Reducing risks after breast augmentation surgery is an important question.  Your surgeon should be assessing your individual risk factors to determine if anything other than early ambulation is necessary to reduce your risk for blood clots.  High risk patients may require medication to prevent blood clots and low risk patients can just get up and walking as soon as possible after surgery.

David C. Yao, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for asking. Blood clots could happen after any procedure but are quite uncommon after breast augmentation or other plastic surgery. Each patient has different risk factors and should be individually evaluated. Talk with your PS and maybe your PCP. Longer procedures and certain combination procedures maybe adjustments or other treatments initiated. Best wishes!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  As you stated, there are inherent risks with any surgical procedure. Unfortunately, development of blood clots is one of them. Methods during your procedure are the start...sequential compression devices and sometimes compression stockings are standards. Proper positioning is also critical. Postoperatively, drinking plenty of fluids and especially ambulation often is of utmost importance.  Moving after a surgical procedure is the best thing that you could do for yourself, for many reasons, and this is one of them. Lastly, consideration for an anticogulation for high risk patients either preop or postop is something that your surgeon will also think about.  Discuss all of these with your surgeon and your proposed plan.  Hope that this helps. Best wishes!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

fortunately this complication is rare but is more common with certain procedures than other.  It is low risk in breast augmentation.  It is standard for an operating room to use compression stocking on your kegs during surgery and you should get out of bed after surgery to keep your circulation flowing in the legs.  You should definitely ask your surgeon and follow their directions.

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

With such a short procedure you are at a very low risk. In fact, in 25 years I have never seen one with breast augmentation. I have seen them with tummy tuck but not with your procedure. Compression stockings are kind of the standard nowadays but really just being up and moving after surgery is the best thing you can do!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Magical3247,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative and postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. Most plastic surgeons use compression stockings during surgery in order to reduce the chance of blood clots. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

While blood clots can develop from procedures as little as 30 minutes, breast augmentation is associated with a very low risk for this.  I can't personally comment on what other Plastic Surgeons do but in my practice we use compressive stockings during surgery to help reduce your chance for a DVT.  From there, we encourage our patients to ambulate after surgery and to not just lie in bed.Other than that, you really need to have this conversation with the Plastic Surgeon who is performing your surgery.  I'm sure that he/she can help guide you in a direction that will help you reduce the chance for common complications. I hope that helps and wish you the very best!Warmest regards,-Gregory A Buford MD FACS PCEOBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

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