Will I need to remove my tongue piercing for a breast implant surgery? Could I put a plastic one in?

Question

Closing time for people on this piercing is always different. It could happen almost immediately and could never close up. I have never taken my tongue piercing out and don't want to figure out how long it takes, I could not imagine having to pierce this thing again, once was enough. With the procedure being at least an hour long, I really don't want to risk having to take it out(though boobies are more important then a tongue ring.) So I'm just curious if I could leave it in and everything be okay?

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Because you could aspirate the tongue piercing, you should definitely remove it prior to surgery. You can likely replace it within a couple of hours after the surgery. Best of Luck!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Is jury in your town cannot be removed there are ways to protect the tissue without removing it. However ideally all jewelry including piercings should not be on the patient at the time of surgery.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

The surgery is usually less than 2h long.  It is highly unlikely that the hole will close off within those 2 hours.  It needs to come out during surgery to avoid aspiration.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Interestingly, I just had this and the anesthesiologist asked for the patient to take it out because he was worried about the breathing tube causing a problem by squeezing on it, anyways after the case it was a pain but I did get it back in

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.YES! all piercing jewelry and other jewelry have to be removed before the procedure a plastic one can be placed but there's no point of the pierced skin to close after the procedure.Dr. Campos

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

The safest thing to do is to remove the tongue piercing prior to surgery and have it replaced after the procedure.  You do not want to risk aspiration of this device even if it is made of plastic.

Jennifer Harrington, MD · Answer

Typically yes and yes. It depends on the surgery center where you are having this done. In my area they insist on tongue rings being removed, and depending on the anesthesiologist a plastic spacer can be placed as long as it is secure.  The most important thing is that you do not aspirate on a foreign body that is in your mouth!  Always safety first!!!Good luck,Jennifer L. Harrington MDHarrington Plastic Surgery

Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS · Answer

The most important safety factor to consider is if the piercing were to be dislodged and travel into your windpipe or lungs. I always insist that piercings be removed "if possible" anywhere on the body OR if there are outside the area of surgery, could be replaced with plastic to avoid a potential burn due to the electrocautery used during surgery. I hope this helps.Dr Edwards

Gary Hall, MD (retired) · Answer

Having the metal piercing replaced with a plastic one would be good for any other place in the body but when it is in your mouth, any piercing should be removed.  There could be pressure issues with the breathing tube or could get loosed and go into your lung and cause  serious problems.Gary Hall,MD

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