Estrogen and thromboembolic disorders: should patients stop hormones prior to cosmetic surgery?

Oral contraceptives and replacement estrogenic hormones have been associated with a significant risk of thromboembolism. Cosmetic surgery consists of elective procedures in otherwise healthy individuals. The prospect of thromboembolism should be diminished in these patients by avoiding those factors that may give rise to the problem. Stopping oral contraceptives and replacement estrogens three weeks before surgery to two weeks after surgery is not difficult for most patients and should be part of the custom and practice of all cosmetic surgeons.