Acrylic nails and surgery

A friend ,who had abdominal surgery a few years ago, was told that she couldn't have acrylic nails because on of the post-surgery test s is to press the nail and measure how long it takes to pink up again.

Anyone else hear anything about this?

My surgeon required the acrylic nails be removed because during surgery, the nails are observed for oxygenation.  Could possibly the 'press and wait for the color' notion as well.  And it's only tempororay, she can have them new again soon as she's up to it.  Best wished to her!

It really all depends on the anesthesiologists preference.  Most facilities use pulse oximetry these days, and it could be possible for the acrylic nail to obscure the light transmission thru the nail (that's how the probe works) and obtain an accurate reading.  Years ago we used to remove nail polish before surgery because the visual press and release and time the "pink up", but not so much anymore.  Ask your doc what the hospital requires.

You know....This is a really weird subject.   When I had surgery the hospital said no problem, keep them on.  The pulse oximeters are more sensitive now adays and can go through the acrylic nails.  But then last month when my mother had surgery they made her take off her nail polish and she does not have acrylic nails...go figure - same hospital.  I think it all depends on the nurse you get at the time.  You know, communication being ALL THAT around that place, ya know?  Don't fight it. Just do what ever she was told at the time.

when I had my hysterectomy 2 months ago i had acrylic nails.....it was weird but they let me keep the acrlic on but i couldn't have any polish on them.....not even clear...lol


i guess it really depends on the surgeon

I'm was a surgical tech for 17 years, I just quit this past october, anywho I have nails and I had surgery with nails on.  The thing is the pulse oxcemiter( that little clip they put on your finger) that measures your blood oxygen level sometimes can't see threw the nail polish.  But 98% of the timei ts not a problem, and if it is we had nail polish remover and would just take it off 1 fingernail.  So don't sweat it.  Its all good.  Happy Thanksgiving! Lou (~.~)

Hi Steph.... when I went in for my pre op testing I specifically asking about my acrylic nails when I spoke to the anesthesiologist and he said I could leave it on.  He said no nail polish but acrylic was OK.  Also, I was a vet tech and since dogs or cats can't have their oxygenation checked via nail bed we would just check it by lifting their lips and checking their gums.  Don't sweat it!

Good luck to you!

Thanks everyone!  One of the things on my pre-surgery To Do list was to get my acrylics filled and re-polished since it would probably be several weeks after surgery before I felt like dealing with that and I hate it when they get all grown out.  I think I'll still get the fill but leave the polish off my right forefinger.

Steph