Can I Have Rib Removal If I Have AntiPhospholipid Syndrome?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 28-year-old transferal who would like to undergo waist narrowing surgery, hip and buttock augmentation with implants. However, I might have antiphospholipid syndrome (a type of thrombophilia that’s treated with anticoagulants).Whether I actually have this autoimmune disease is yet to be confirmed by a specialist who I am going to see later this month.

I have two questions which are the following:

1. If I have this condition, will I still be able to get these cosmetic procedures with Dr. Eppley? As far as I know, whether or not an individual suffering from this condition can undergo cosmetic procedures is dependent on their risk profile.

As far as I am concerned, I have no history of blood clots, thrombosis or any kind of symptom that’s consistent with antiphospholipid syndrome. What’s also interesting is that my latent antiphospholipid syndrome (provided I am affected by this condition) has had many opportunities to become active and be aggravated by certain life circumstances that I had in the past. (used to be obese)

So I think that even if I have APS, if I get clearance from my hematologist and in light of my medical history, I should be able to have these procedures but of course, I am only a layperson, so I’ll let professionals make the decision.

I look forward to reading your reply.

A:Given your lack of a confirmed antiphospholipid diagnosis and no evidence of any thrombotic events in your history despite numerous challenges it would be fair to that risks of blood clots from these proposed body contouring surgeries may not be any greater than the normal population. But the additional information to be gained by your upcoming evaluation/workup for this condition will provide further insights into these potential surgical risks.

That being said even with a completely negative workup and history such body contouring procedures would be best broken down into two stages as these surgeries would represent the greatest challenge to your body it would have seen yet.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon