What HcG levels are required by surgeons to proceed with breast augmentation?

Question

I'm awaiting my breast augmentation with great anticipation but patiently waiting for my HcG levels to go down before we can proceed with the surgery. What "standard" levels are required for surgery?

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, HCG levels measure pregnancy.  I do not understand your question completely, but in general terms you should not be pregnant and have elective surgery.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Our LVN performs a pregnancy test at pre-op and on the day of surgery to ensure that you are not considered positive for pregnancy (anything above 25 mIU/mL).  If your HcG level is between 6 and 24 mIU/mL, the result is considered a grey area, and you will likely need to be retested to see if your levels rise to confirm a pregnancy.

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Hello and Great Question. I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure. My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel. I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Breast Augmentation Specialist.HCG levels are to ensure you're not pregnant prior to your surgery , I would recommend a pregnancy test as well as a ultra sound just to be sure there is no current pregnancy. Once you've confirmed their is no pregnancy I would then proceed with your surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this treatment . I hope this helps! Best of luck Matthew J. Nykiel

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Venamooch,
Your lab results should be within normal range prior to surgery. But every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. 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

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. In our practice, we'll do a urine pregnancy test right prior to the surgery. As long as your HcG level is low enough to confirm lack of a viable fetus, you should be O.K. to undergo  breast augmentation. Best,
Pejman
Aflaki, M.D.
Johns
Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The purpose of the HCG is to make sure you are not pregnant at the time if surgery.  We perform a dipstick test the morning of surgery.   when it is done days prior to that there is always the risk that pregnancy could occur between the time of the test and the day of surgery.   I’ve seen it hapoen.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

If this is in regards to an abortion or missed pregnancy, as long as we are certain there is no pregnancy then it is safe to move forward with the surgery.  The levels may stay elevated for some time and a pregnancy test may be POSITIVE if the threshold of hcg levels are met (whatever that is).  However, as long as we have a report and ultrasound perhaps that shows there is no pregnancy and you are fit to undergo surgery, I would say go for it.Make certain you see a board certified plastic surgeon for your surgery.Hope that helps.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Ideally, we would want that number at zero. Most surgeons won't operate until we are 100% sure you are not pregnant. Good luck.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

HcG levels below what is expected during pregnancy is sufficient. The most important thing is to make sure you are not currently pregnant. Anesthesia and medications related to your surgery may be harmful to a fetus or baby. Hope this hleps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jeffrey Nelson, MD · Answer

Actually this question isn't as straight forward as it sounds for it depends on several pieces of the puzzle not mentioned. Occasionally if someone has a high HcG due to a spontaneous abortion the glands of the breast may have become pretty active and geared up to make milk. Depends how far along someone was.The natural stress of anticipating surgery as well as the stress of the surgery may also make the bodies endocrine system be a little geared up. If done too early especially if an implant is placed above the muscle or any greater manipulation of the breast gland is indicated there can be a small risk of a lactocoele (breast milk) around the implant. Just be sure your body is really back to base line, waiting an extra couple of weeks past normal blood levels is worth the added safety.

What HcG levels are required by surgeons to proceed with breast augmentation?

Answers (13)

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