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Feasible to Have a Tummy Tuck During Colon Resection Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by Clinton2964 in Clinton, MS
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 720 times
Tags: age 35-44, female, 130-149 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in, Caucasian, colon, combination

35 yr old caucasian female, 5ft, 133lbs, hx of keloid scars, 2 c-sections, Crohns dx otherwise healthy. Thick through abdominal area. Is it possible to have needed colon resection by general surgeon (removing approx 10 inches of combined small & large intestines d/t narrowing) & then close w/ tummy tuck +/- liposuction by plastic surgeon? I want to combine procedures & minimize likelihood of scars. Low transverse is fine, avoid vertical incision scars. What are risks? Is this ever done?

17 answers to Feasible to Have a Tummy Tuck During Colon Resection Surgery?

Tummy tucks can be combined with other medically necessary surgeries

Many people do like the idea of having only one recovery period after surgery, and we often do combine tummy tucks with other surgeries, like hysterectomy, hernia repair, or tubal ligation, for instance. HOWEVER, I would never consider combining a tummy tuck with a colon resection for Crohn's disease. That is a great setup for infection and serious wound healing problems. Just say no.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Don't Combine Colon Surgery with Tummy Tuck

Combining the Tummy Tuck with other procedures is tempting to reduce cost and for efficiency combining recovery. I would advise against combining with colon surgery as too risky for complications: don't do it.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Colon Resection, Tummy Tuck and Liposuction.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is by its nature "clean" surgery. Tummy tucks and liposuction have low rates of infection, because, other then the skin, there is normally no other source of contamination. Peri-operative antibiotics are chosen to cover the Staph and Strep normally found on the skin, and to further reduce the incidence of infection. Colon resection, on the other hand, has two sources of contamination, the skin and the colon. The colon has different bacteria, and... more

Joseph Mele, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck with colon resection

It is probably not a good idea to have a tummy tuck at the same time as a colon resection for crohn's disease.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

What is the rush? Wait until you have healed and recovered from the colon resection. Your risks of infection will be higher and other concerns stated.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty at the same time as bowel resection.

You would be nuts to have these procedures done at the same time, absolutely nuts. If your bowel surgeon or your plastic surgeon have suggested you doing it this way, you need to find a new surgeon. The possible complications from this combination have been discussed very well in this discussion by other doctors. Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.

Lisa L. Sowder, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.sowdermd.com

Having Tummy Tuck / Lipo at the same time as Bowel Resection is a VERY BAD Idea

Regarding: "Feasible to Have a Tummy Tuck During Colon Resection Surgery? 35 yr old caucasian female, 5ft, 133lbs, hx of keloid scars, 2 c-sections, Crohns dx otherwise healthy. Thick through abdominal area. Is it possible to have needed colon resection by general surgeon (removing approx 10 inches of combined small & large intestines d/t narrowing) & then close w/ tummy tuck +/- liposuction by plastic surgeon? I want to combine procedures & minimize likelihood of... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Not A Good Idea!!

Several issues here in my mind: (1) The usual approach for your general surgery procedure is a vertical midline (at least when I trained) (2) I would not add a low transverse incision to the above incision plus liposuction. You are only asking to have poor healing problems (ie wounds) (3) Your proposed suggestion would prolong a necessary operative procedure (4) You were or are on some type of medications to suppress you immune system (steroid) for your inflammatory... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck with Bowel Surgery

Hi there- I agree with the majority of my colleagues who have done a great job explaining why this would not be in your best interests. Please don't do this.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Tummy Tuck during Colorectal Surgery

Great question and we as plastic surgeons get this "type" of question all the time...."Can I have a tummy tuck while another surgeon does a (fill in blank)?" See Dr. Kavali's response....I agree, just say no! What is the plan with your small intestine? An osteomy? A Pouch procedure? What is your post-operative medication plan? You body's ability to heal after this type of combined surgery will need to be maximized and I am sure that your colectomy is more

John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

I wouldn't reccommend this!!!

Colon resection surgery is often frought with problems such as wound infections. You would be much better of getting your colon surgery done and the after you recover doing the tummy tuck. This would just be a safer way to proceed. Good luck with your surgery, Dr T

Scott Tucker, MD
Winston Salem Plastic Surgeon

A Tummy Tuck During Colon Resection Surgery

Very, very, very FOOLISH idea. I'm sure your general/colon surgeon would be totally against this!!! Borders on malpractice and poor surgical theory of appropriate care. Be careful!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck in combination with other procedures

While performing tummy tucks with hysterectomy or laparascopic cholecystectomy are relatively common, I am not aware of the combination of tummy tuck and colon resection being performed with any frequency. There is similar controversy with tummy tuck following delivery or c-section.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Not a good ideal

I would not reccomend it. I only combine tummy tucks with clean abdominal surgery - such as hernia repairs or hysterectomies. dont do it.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Should Not be Combined with Colectomy

It is sometimes beneficial to perform a tummy tuck at the time of other surgery (eg hysterectomy), but this always increases the chance of problems to a degree. The chnace of having a wound contamination with a colon resection would be high enough that most plastic surgeons would be unwilling to assume the risk.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Not recommended

Although colon surgery these days is very safe there is the possibility of infection. In a procedure that is inherently clean I would not consider doing a tummy tuck at the same time, let alone liposuction. I would wait until you are fully healed and then have the cosmetic surgery, that's a much, much safer way to go. An infection from the colon with the open planes of dissection from a tummy tuck or liposuction could be devastating!

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and Colon Resection

The two surgerries could certainly be done together, however I believe that it is a bad idea for several reasons. Firstly, the bowel is considered contaminated with bacteria, and combining a contaminated procedure (bowel resection) with a clean procedure (tummy tuck) increases the risk of wound infection. Secondly, tightening the abdominal muscles at the same time may increase your risk of atelectasis (lung collapse). Finally, the increased duration of the procedure may in itself increase... more