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

Question

I am a 29 year old female . 5’4 and 104 pounds my diet is vegetarian and I fast about 2-3 days a week. I am hoping to get a mommy make over that involves a tummy tuck and change of implants no lipo. My concern is my hemoglobin levels too low or is it dangerous to proceed with such procedures? Will I lose a lot of blood ? Should I get me levels up Before surgery and what is considered safe for a vegetarian?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

With your current hemoglobin of 10,5 you are not a candidate for any major surgery, in particular something so extensive such as MMO. It would be in your best interest to treat current anemia with iron following your PCP recommendations. Once your Hg is at an acceptable level (12 plus) you should discuss your surgeries with a board certified plastic surgeon and decide what procedure(s) you can tolerate based on projected blood loss. Hope this helps.

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

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.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

In general, you will need to make some changes prior to pursuing surgery. You will need to get your hemoglobin up prior to surgery, which may mean that you need to make some dietary changes. While a vegetarian diet is not a bad one, you may consider removing the fasting portion of your diet. While weight control is overall a good thing and necessary for weight reduction prior to surgery, you will want to be in an anabolic state prior to surgery. While you won't lose a considerable amount of blood, the dilution from the fluid resuscitation could put you at unsafe levels if your hemoglobin is not elevated prior to surgery.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear maravilla0393,
your lab results should be within normal limits prior to surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mario Arturo Moran Romero, MD · Answer

Dear Maravilla 0393. I wouldn’t recommend undergoing plastic surgery with a 10.5 hemoglobin. I recommend getting in touch with your primary care doctor and establishing the cause of the anemia. Lack of iron is one of the most common causes of anemia. Deficiency can happen because of an increase of blood loss (heavy menstrual period) or low intake of iron or absorption. However, is not the only cause. Balancing a vegetarian diet can be very challenging. There is no rush to undergo plastic surgery. Counseling from a nutrition specialist can help to improve your hemoglobin levels.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Before any elective surgery, being in perfect health is a must. If your hemoglobin levels aren't where they have to be, you shouldn't get the surgery done now.

Your health and well being are always the priority.

Fernando Robles Rodriguez, MD · Answer

If you require a mommy make over, it is essential to have a minimum hemoglobin level of 13 gr/dL. Secondary to the blood loss from the procedure, it is dangerous to have low hemoglobin levels. Increasing it suggests the intake of iron and foods rich in the same mineral.Take iron: preferably Ferranina Fol or Prenatal 1 to twice a day, during breakfast or lunch for better absorption, you should drink more water to avoid constipation. Do cardiovascular exercise such as walking for 40 min 3 times a week at least, in order to improve circulation and oxygenate the body. Eating foods ricth in iron, such as: Liver, lentils, bean broth, beans, pistachios, chia seeds, chickpeas, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pips, spinach, and of all green leaves, (the darker the green is the richer iron), parsley, beets, broccoli, sardines, general meat, tofu, etc. Take vitamin C in fruits: guavas, kiwi, lemons, oranges, all critics and supplements like Emergen-C, Redoxon C Plus or something similar daily15 days before surgery: In case you have pain you can only take Tylenol or Acetaminophen. Avoid all food supplements such as Herbalife, Green tea, ginseng or ginger, Gingko Bilova, garlic tablets, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, fatty acid supplements such as Omega 3's (all drugs that intervene in clotting times or as they say, thin the blood)Vitamin supplements should be avoided 5 days before surgery (because they contain vitamin A and intervenes during clotting times) Also another important recommendation is Avoid contact with many people so that you stay away from the Coronavirus.

Giancarlo McEvenue, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hello my cut off for surgery is hemaglobin of 12 for safety fo your surgery as there will be some blood loss. if you are below this consider iron supplements and discussing options with your pcp such as iron infusions to help boost your hb prior to surgery. Also the reason for low hemaglobin may be that you are undernourished as you are just below my BMI safety cut off of 18. so you may also consider adding weight Prior to surgery (5-10 lbs) so your body can better handle the stress of surgery.SincerelyDr.G

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

Answers (16)

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