Hemoglobin at 10.5 MMO safe? 29 year old female, 5’4 and 104 pounds. What is considered safe for a vegetarian?

Thank you for your inquiry about the safe hemoglobin levels for a vegetarian planning to undergo a tummy tuck and breast surgery. It’s crucial to consider how your diet and lifestyle may impact your readiness for surgery.
Hemoglobin levels are an important factor in surgical planning as they indicate your body’s capacity to carry oxygen, which is vital for healing and recovery. For individuals following a vegetarian diet, there's a possibility of having lower hemoglobin levels, often due to reduced intake of heme iron, which is more readily absorbed and is primarily found in animal products.
However, low hemoglobin can also result from other causes, such as heavy menstrual cycles. It’s essential to identify the underlying reason for any low hemoglobin levels. Consulting with a hematologist is a wise step to ensure there are no other health issues contributing to low hemoglobin.
If everything is clear and there are no significant sources of blood loss, focusing on optimizing your iron levels before surgery is the next step. This might involve dietary adjustments to include more iron-rich foods compatible with a vegetarian diet, such as leafy greens, legumes, fortified cereals, and nuts. Iron supplements could also be considered, potentially even twice daily, to boost your iron levels.
In terms of safe hemoglobin levels for surgery, this can vary, but generally, a hemoglobin level of around 12 g/dL is considered optimal for surgical procedures. If your levels are slightly lower, such as around 10 g/dL, your surgeon and hematologist will assess your overall health to determine if it’s safe to proceed with surgery.
It’s essential to work closely with your healthcare providers, including your plastic surgeon, primary care physician, and potentially a hematologist, to ensure that you are in the best possible health before undergoing a tummy tuck and breast surgery.
I hope this information helps guide you in preparing for your surgery and encourages you to take the necessary steps to optimize your health beforehand.
Wishing you a successful surgical journey and a healthy recovery.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question. Before your mommy makeover, it's important to check your hemoglobin levels, especially with your vegetarian diet and fasting routine. If your levels are low, you may need to increase them for safe surgery. Discuss with your doctor about ways to boost your hemoglobin, possibly including iron supplements or dietary adjustments. Ensure you reach a stable and safe level before proceeding with the surgery.

I perform a lot of mommy makeovers in my New York City office, and blood loss is usually very low for the procedures you are asking for. However, I require a hemoglobin level closer to 12 in order to be a candidate. You should speak to your doctor and possibly see a hematologist about getting your blood count up. You should be sure to check your iron levels since low iron intake is a very common reason for blood counts to be low. Being a vegetarian, you want to make sure you supplement iron and b12 to your diet.