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Duration of Hospital Stay Post-Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by diedelee in hagerman new mexico
Latest answer by Scott Sattler, MD
Question viewed 5,018 times
Tags: aftercare, hospital

I'm thinking of having a Tummy Tuck, and I was wondering, how long would I have to stay in the hospital after the procedure?

27 answers to Duration of Hospital Stay Post-Tummy Tuck?

+6

Usually one night in Aftercare or the Hospital

Abdominoplasty has become an outpatient procedure. However, unless the patient is undergoing a mini-tuck, we require our patients to spend a night in the Aftercare facility or the Hospital, if the surgery is performed there. Nurses at the Aftercare can monitor the patient's vital signs and are trained to look for signs of trouble and alert the doctor. From a pain control standpoint, a registered nurse can give injectable pain medicines. They can also give medications for nausea, sleep,... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+6

Overnight Stay Following Tummy Tuck

An overnight stay following a tummy tuck provides comfort and peace of mind to patients and their families. As a plastic surgeon, I feel better knowing my patients are being monitored and are in the care of experienced nurses the first 24 hours after surgery . I always visit patients in the hospital the same evening of surgery and the following morning. The next scheduled appt. is 2 days later for removal of their pain pump and to check on the patient's progress. There is no... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+4

One night is the usual stay after an abdominoplasty.

I like my patients to stay one night after an abdominoplasty in either the hospital or an aftercare facility. While this may seem like an added expense I feel it is safer to have patients monitored after a procedure such as a tummy tuck . There is the possibility of bleeding and it is important that if this occurs it is caught as quickly as possible. In addtion hospitals and aftercare facilities can offer patients medications which are stronger than what we can send patients home with... more
Susan E. Downey, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+4

More pleasant experience with an overnight stay

I have done abdominoplasties as an outpatient procedure, with a surgicenter 23 hour stay and as a hospital in-patient procedure with a 24 hour plus stay. I always place a pump to deliver local anesthetic into the muscle for the first 3 days or so. Almost all my patients have a fascial plication ("muscle repair") as part of the procedure, which is what causes most of the post-op pain. My patients tell me that they appreciate the additional care and stronger pain meds that they... more
M. Hugh Bailey, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+3

Usually outpatient

For cosmetic abdominoplasties (tummy tucks) the vast majority of patients in my San Francisco Bay Area practice go home the same day. Injection of local numbing medication in addition to a "pain pump" goes a long way in keeping patients very comfortable for the first three days. Pain pumps work by injecting small quantities of numbing medicine in the wound and have been shown to greatly help in controlling pain and speeding up recovery. Issues that may extend your stay include... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Abdominoplasty does not typically require hospital stay

As you can see, the vast majority of plastic surgeons perform their tummy tucks on an outpatient basis. However, I do admit patients overnight if: 1. they have other health conditions such as sleep apnea which require monitoring 2. they are having combined procedures 3. they have no one available for postoperative care 4. there is a history of prior adverse or unatincipated reactions to anesthesia 5. the procedure is significantly more involved i.e., extended tummy tuck with expected... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure usually

Many plastic surgeons today perform a tummy tuck as an outpatient procedure. I prefer to also do this as an outpatient procedure; however, I prefer to have my patients stay with an aftercare nurse (not in the hospital). Our nurses are very experienced taking care of post cosmetic surgery patients and provide patients with the pampering that is much appreciated after surgery. Pain is well controlled with long lasting local anesthetic as well as oral pain tablets.
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

We perform our tummy tucks as an outpatient procedure.

For the past 10 years we have performed abdominoplasties in our Santa Rosa plastic surgery suite on an outpatient basis. We are careful to add long-acting local anesthetic to the skin incision and even the muscle repair. Pain control has not been an issue and we have, in the past 10 years, never had to admit a tummy tuck patient because of issues such as pain control. Patients appreciate their own bed and, as long as a reliable adult is present with them, we find that abdominoplasties... more
Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+2

One Night or Home, It's Up to You

I find that it all depends on the patient. Most patients do just fine with going home after a routine tummy tuck surgery. I use pain pumps that can help with any discomfort. That being said, the hospital I operate out of includes an overnight stay for anyone undergoing a tummy tuck. Most patients appreciate this. Unless other surgeries are performed, such as a breast lift or implants, most patients are safe going home after a routine tummy tuck...but life can be easier with an overnight... more
Anthony Youn, MD

Detroit Plastic Surgeon
+2

Abdominoplasty and Postoperative Recovery: Hospital Admission

The decision to admit a patient to a hospital after an abdominoplasty procedure is usually made by a plastic surgeon and his/her patient. The decision is based on several criteria, including: Comorbid medical conditions that may impair normal recovery - examples include heart disease, lung disease, bladder retention. Pain control Length of surgery Associated surgeries performed in the same setting Age of patient Overall health of the patient Availability of qualified help at home to assist... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Hospital use depends mostly on your surgeon

As you can se from the many other answers, surgeons vary on their recommendations about overnight and/or hospital stay following abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I do it both ways. I generally recommend out-patient (no hospital stay) recovery at home if the patient is in normal health and has adequate home support. Like other surgeons, I use a long-acting local anesthetic infusion pump in addition to other perioperative pain control measures. I strongly encourage "early ambulation,"... more
Sutton Graham II, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon
+2

I keep patients overnight after tummy tuck

Hello, I am not a fan of outpatient or in hospital stays for TT patients, so I "split the difference" and put patients in an aftercare facility. I do this for mid-size and larger cases and it has worked out well in helping with pain management and prophylaxis of vein clots. Best Regards
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Outpatient tummy tucks are safe

I do not recommend staying in a hospital after tummy tuck surgery- the RNs on the ward are working hard and taking care of a variety of patients. They simply won't devote the time and effort that a family member would if you stayed at home. 
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hospitalization not always necessary for abdominplasty.

Some surgeons send patients home immediately after an abdominoplasty.  There is nothing wrong with that in most cases.  I like to keep my patients in our overnight facility (I own my own surgery center) for the patients well-being and my peace of mind.  I have never had to keep a patient more than one night.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hospital stay after a tummy tuck

The duration of hospital stay after an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, varies by physician.  In my practice all tummy tuck patients spend one night in the hospital.  This allows to me to hydrate my patients with IV fluids after surgery and control their pain appropriately.  I find this keeps the complications down to a minimum. Best wishes, Neil Zemmel, MD
Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Staying after a tummy tuck

In my practice all patients spend the night after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). In some cases patients feel more comfortable adding one or two more nights in the hospital though that is unusual. Most patients go home the next day. You can find more information about abdominopasty on the attached link. I hope this info helps...
Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hospital stay for a tummy tuck

The majority of my patients go home the same day as a tummy tuck. If they do need to stay (usually do to having a concurrent breast surgery), they go home the next day.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck is an outpatient surgery

My tummny tuck patients, with rare exception, go home the same day as the procedure.  The rare exceptions go home the following morning.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

A Tummy Tuck is an Outpatient Procedure in the Vast Majority of Cases

In the vast majority of cases, a Tummy Tuck is an outpatient procedure. Since we routinely place long lasting anesthetic solution along the muscle repair and the incision the patients feel some tightness but no real pain for up to 10-12 hours. Unless there is a medical reason for keep them overnight, they usually go home as soon as they feel up to it.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Most of our tummy tucks are outpatient procedures

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. In our practice, this procedure takes approximately 3 hours and is usually performed as an outpatient surgery. This avoids a hospital stay and helps patients ambulate more quickly and recover faster. We perform tummy tucks as an inpatient procedure when they are combined with other surgeries such as gynecologic procedures. Remember that tummy tucks are a significant procedure and that it is essential that you work... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

+1

Safety is most important with Tummy Tuck!

Hospitals are for sick people, not patients recovering from cosmetic surgery. Safety is very important, so I send all of my tummy tuck patients to an outpatient, nurse-supervised recovery retreat for a minimum of one night.
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Staying overnight for tummy tuck

Staying overnight after a tummy tuck depends on the length of surgery. For example, if you have other procedures done at the same time, pre-existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, or little post-operative help at home, I advise my patients to stay overnight if they don't mind the additional cost. Everyone who has stayed overnight has always been relieved that they did. Moving around the first day is very important, and having more help is essential as the core of your body... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

In my facility an abdominoplasty is an outpatient operation

When I ran the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center for 10 years, we admitted all tummy tuck patients overnight after surgery. Now, in my own private facility with physician anesthesia for the last 9 years, I send all tummy tuck patients home after 1.5 hours in recovery. I call all patients at home myself the night of their surgery and it is amazing how well they are doing at home in their own surroundings when compared to what seemed to be a much... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Outpatient is safe

Of the answers below, 3 recommend an overnight stay and 3 prefer to do it as an outpatient, but I think most often the patient is sent home the same day and that is my preference as well. The indwelling "pain pumps" such as On-Q provide good pain control, and there is no real evidence that a hospital stay is safer if the patient is healthy and the procedure is not unreasonably long. Keep in mind also that hospitals are full of sick people, so you may be exposed to things that... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Usually no need to stay overnight

In most cases, there is no need to stay overnight. Most patients do very well going home after the procedure and feel much more comfortable recovering in their own homes instead of a hospital. I would, however, take the advice of your particular plastic surgeon, and if he or she would feel more comfortable with you staying one night in the hospital, then I would go ahead and do it.
Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

+1

Abdominoplasty hospital stay

Traditionally patients would stay one night in the hospital. Many of my colleagues perform this procedure as an outpatient( patient goes home the same day). I have recently been doing as an outpatient and have had good success with it. If I am combining it with more than just a simple liposuction, I more than likely keep patients overnight.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Outpatient Tummy Tuck

Where I practice, San Francisco Bay area, most tummy tucks are done as outpatients. This requires pre-operative medical clearance by your physician and a supportive home-care environment, and that includes someone to take you home and help you afterwards. There are also specialty hospitals and nurses for hire as alternatives. If you have health issues or pain control is anticipated to be a problem, you may need to be hospitalized. Usually, one is not in the hospital for more than a day... more
Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

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