I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

Question

I'm scheduled for Tummy tuck tomorrow, but I never stop taking my birth control because my doctor did not say to stop ,, but I’m reading now that I should ? stop 3 weeks before , should I be worried ?

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

You might want to let your surgeon know about your concerns as soon as you can. Each surgeon has their own pre-op instructions so you should follow those provided to you by your surgeon.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
You do not need to stop taking birth control pills prior to surgery. Contact your surgeon if you are concerned or have any questions. Best wishes!

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Estrogen containing oral contraceptives can increase your risk for blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, respectively). As such, surgeons often recommend stopping them, and three weeks before and three weeks after is a reasonable timeframe.
However, stopping oral contraceptives can have other ramifications....like unintentional pregnancy. As such, for patients at low risk for clots, I prefer to discuss the risks and benefits of medication cessation and allow patients to participate in the choice.
Talking about your birth control should be part of a larger plan on your surgeon's part to decrease your risk for blood clots in the legs and lungs...I am attaching a supporting link with a review article on blood clot prevention in the aesthetic population that may be helpful.
Best,Chris Pannucci MDSpokane WA

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has his/her own protocol about which medications should be stopped or avoided prior to surgery.  It is best for you to contact your surgeon for how to proceed.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

It depends upon the amount of estrogen in the pill. Your plastic surgeon's preoperative instructions would have told you if you needed to stop them.

I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

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Answer: Birth control pills

Answer: Birth control pills

Answer: I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

Answer: I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

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I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

Answers (8)

Answer: Birth control pills

Answer: Birth control pills

Answer: I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

Answer: I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck tomorrow. I did not stop birth control pills. Should I be worried?

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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.