Planning for plastic surgery involves a host of factors ranging from an individual’s cosmetic needs and preferences, lifestyle habits, and the state of his or her overall health and well-being. During initial consultations here at our San Francisco plastic surgery practice, it’s not uncommon for us to encounter patients who are keen to undergo surgery yet the presence of certain health condition or disease may further put their health at risk following the procedure. Hypertension is one of these pre-surgery health issues.

Understanding Hypertension

Generally, blood pressure refers to the measurement of force exerted against the arteries (the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the areas of the body). Blood pressure is at its highest when your heart pumps blood (systolic pressure) and it is at its lowest when your heart is at rest between beats (diastolic pressure). In a blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure comes before the diastolic pressure.

Generally, a reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal while a reading beyond 140/90 mmHg can already be classified as high blood pressure. The development of hypertension is caused by a variety of factors and may even be a result of another existing condition. By and large, the older you are, the greater the risk of high blood pressure as the arteries become stiffer over time. Other factors that can influence the occurrence of hypertension include but are not limited to the following:

• hormone levels, particularly in women
• use of certain medications and supplements
• lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption
• excess body weight
• family history of hypertension
• stress and anxiety levels
• your body’s ability to retain water and salt which may be influenced by one’s diet
• in some cases, hypertension may be a result of existing conditions such as thyroid problems, disorders of the adrenal glands, pregnancy, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease

Plastic Surgery Risks Associated with High Blood Pressure

On a whole, having high blood pressure levels signify that your heart and blood vessels are experiencing too much strain. Having surgery when you’re hypertensive is like adding insult to injury to the body. The following risks and complications may be possible during and after surgery:

• Bleeding during and after surgery, particularly if the patient is taking blood thinning medications prior to surgery
• Hematoma or swelling filled with blood due to a breakage in a portion of the blood vessel walls
• Heart or circulatory system problems

Can hypertension stop someone from having plastic surgery?

Yes, that is if you have uncontrolled hypertension. Here at our practice, we strongly recommend that a patient should work closely with their general doctor in putting their high blood pressure under control through medications and lifestyle revision. We can actually work with your primary care physician to make sure that you meet the criteria for undergoing surgery safely.

Take the results of this survey among plastic surgeons as an example. Here’s an excerpt from the conclusion (perioperative care translates to care before surgery):

Proper perioperative care of the facelift patient is paramount in the reduction of hematoma rates. Preexisting hypertension correlates with a higher hematoma rate, though this study also suggests that normotensive anesthesia, as well as strict postoperative blood pressure control did contribute to a reduction in hematoma rate.

Allow us to help you come up with a personalized plastic surgery plan that will put your pre-existing health conditions into consideration. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through cosmetic surgery!

The occurrence of seroma following plastic surgery is one of the most common concerns of men and women alike who visit us here at our San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice for initial consultations. While Dr. Mosser’s technical expertise and meticulous attention to surgical details will ensure that complications following surgery will be minimal or non-existent, the risk itself will always be there. Thus, it is best to understand how it happens, why it occurs, and what can be done on your end to avoid it in the first place.

Why a Seroma Occurs

By and large, a seroma refers to a collection of fluid beneath the skin after surgery, particularly when it comes to procedures involving larger incisions such as a tummy tuck or breast reduction. Although a seroma will resolve by itself within a few weeks following surgery, the discomfort associated with its formation may cause unnecessary anxiety (e.g. longer hospital stays) on the patient’s end.

A seroma is different from a hematoma as the latter has to do with pooling of blood (like a bruise) rather than the clear serous fluid.

Causes of Seroma

The occurrence of seroma is quite common and may be influenced by a combination of factors such as age, weight, and presence of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

When a large amount of tissue is removed from the body, large negative space is created which in turn is a likely receptacle for collections of fluid. Damaged blood vessels and lymphatic vessels around the incision site tend to leak fluids to this negative space to prevent infection. Thus, a seroma is formed.

Prevention and Treatment of Seroma

Although it is entirely impossible to prevent the formation of seroma such as in procedures involving large incisions, preventive measures may be taken to avoid them from happening such as elevating the operated area, getting enough rest, and adequate nutrition and hydration. Use of compression garments and drains may also help prevent seromas.

Seromas that do not resolve on their own can be manually removed through aspiration or drainage tubes.

Dr. Mosser and the rest of the team here at our practice are committed to utilizing the latest surgical techniques available to avoid complications post-surgery such as seroma formation. Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you improve your life through plastic surgery minus the post-surgery complications!