What affect if any does having the sickle cell trait have on having surgery?

I have operated on patients with the sickle cell trait who desire plastic surgery.  To some extent, this depends upon overall health and previous problems during surgery, pregnancy, or other periods of stress.   Your board certified plastic surgeon may require a screening by a hematologist prior to scheduling your surgery, but having the trait should not prevent the mommy makeover from occurring.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Someone with sickle cell trait may not necessarily mean that they have sickle cell anemia. However, if medical history such as this is a parent, medical clearance from your doctor and or a specialist in hematology should be performed prior to mommy makeover surgery. Discuss these issues with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Safe surgery depend on the percentage of total body red blood cells/hemoglobin that is abnormal. At low percentages you do not need to do anything different from other patients. At higher percentages the patient may need pre-surgery treatment with oxygen, blood transfusion, hydration etc. If the percentage is high the patient should probably not be having elective cosmetic surgery. Your surgeon needs to work together with a hematologist in order to ensure a smooth recovery after surgery. In some cases the abnormal red blood cells are sequestered in the spleen and do not show up in the peripheral blood or immature red blood cells appear in the peripheral blood. Any surgeon who offers to do the surgery before he/she knows this percentage and spleen condition and/or will not work with a hematologist is not a safe surgeon for you to see.

Safety is always the number one priority in any surgery.  Before proceeding with elective procedures it is important that you are healthy and have received clearance from your specialist for any medical concerns.  I encourage you to speak to your hematologist about your desire for a Mommy Makeover to get his/her opinion.  If cleared, you can then meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss a surgical plan.