Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,299 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,723 people and 861 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck, If I had Radiation Treatments 6 Years Ago?

asked 9 months ago by kerryann in Toronto, ON
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 188 times
Tags: female, candidate, hysterectomy, radiation

I am a 51 yr old female and have undergone a hysterectomy and pelvic radiation & chemo for cervical cancer. That was 6 yrs ago. One surgeon I consulted said he would not perform surgery on me because of the radiation's effect on area. Should I give up hope of tummy tuck? Any other treatment options for loose skin and stretch marks? Thank you.

8 answers to Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck, If I had Radiation Treatments 6 Years Ago?

+2

Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck, If I had Radiation Treatments 6 Years Ago?

Great question! In my experience (having done a few radiated tummy tucks in over 34 years of practice) my advise is consider the risk/benefit ratio. The increase risk of necrosis due to the micro fibrosis caused by radiation to the small blood vessels can not be understated. I would only attempt your operation in a hospital in staged procedures. Stage I - would be an incision in the groins to ligate the inferior epigastric vascular bundles bilaterally. This allows to skin flap to... more
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck after radiation

Radiation to the pelvis does not preclude having a tummy tuck. Your risk for complications would be higher and the procedure might have to be modified. If you are a smoke, stop now. Hyperbaric treatments after the surgery, prophylactically, might also be considered. There is hope. However, a more definitive discussion would require a physical exam and a discussion with your radiation oncologist. All the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Previous Radiation Definitely Increases Risks Of Tummy Tuck

Having undergone previous radiation therapy in the pelvis would most definitely increase your potential for complications if you were to have a tummy tuck performed. The radiation causes long term effects on the blood vessels. This, in turn, would lead to a much higher rate of wound healing problems and flap necrosis. You may well have difficulty fonding a plastic surgeon willing to accept these risks even if you are.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck after radiation

Hello, The blood supply that surgeons depend on when a traditional tummy tuck is performed is based on the vessels that come from the rib cage. The other two sources of blood supply to the abdominal skin is the vessels that come directly through the muscles (6 pack muscles) and the vesssels that come from below near the thight-abdomen crease. If radiation therapy was performed on the uterus I would imagine that would be relatively low on the abdomen and not adversely affect the rib... more
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Risk of a Tummy Tuck After Pelvic Radiation treatments

The choice to have or not to have a surgical procedure should be based on your being educated on the potential risks you are risking by having the operation contrasted to the risks you are taking by NOT having the operation. Cosmetic surgery, by definition, is "I want" surgery NOT "I need" surgery; It is surgery which only improves appearance, not surgery which saves lives or improves function the way Reconstructive Plastic surgery is. You risk NOTHING by not having... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck after Radiation?

Thank you for the question. Whether a tummy tuck operation can be done safely after radiation to the pelvic area will depend on the presence of radiation damage to the abdominal wall skin and tissues. This can only be determined on physical examination. I would suggest meeting with a few well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons for direct examination. Best wishes. see video
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy tuck after radiation

Radiation therapy would not be a complete bar to undergoing abdominoplasty but it does mean that the risk of complications, including necrosis of the flaps would be higher. This certainly should be discussed at great length with your plastic surgeon and a determination made as to what surgery would be appropriate under these special circumstances. I do not want to be completely pessimistic but please assess all of the risks before making a decision. Depending on... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiation negatively effects success of Tummy Tuck

It will be unsafe to do abdominoplasty after abdominal radiation. Your plastic surgeon has wisely declined. You owe him a thank you note. Now don't start looking for someone who will operate on you, because if you do, you are surely able to find a fool who will operate on you to your deteriment.
Vasdev Rai, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question