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Is It Too Much of a Risk to Combine a Full Tummy Tuck with a Partial Hysterectomy? (photo)

I am 43 and scheduled to have a partial hysterectomy due to severe pain and prolonged bleeding from fibroids. I was 240 lbs, lost down to 147 at my smallest. Now I am 175. I consulted with a PS to have a fully tummy tuck but was told that it would be to traumatic on my body and to only have a mini to remove the excess skin and fat under my belly button (which I call my shelf). My concern is that a mini TT will leave me with an odd looking waistline.

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by CherylnLA in Los Angeles, CA

Doctor Answers (19)
Community Comments (1)

Combine a Full Tummy Tuck with a Partial Hysterectomy?

I completely agree with you in saying that a mini TT will leave a very unsatisfying result. I don't see the added risk of doing a full TT if your surgeon is already considering a mini-TT. Physiologically, the full TT doesn't add much time or risk compared with a mini. This is a fairly common combination of procedures, though it is not for every patient. If you have any heart or lung issues it may be better to do these separately. If you have a tendency to have abnormal blood... more

Tummy tuck

You need a full tummy tuck done. A mini tuck will leave you with a disappointing result. I have performed a tummy tuck at the same time as a hysterectomy and they can be safely combined in most cases. However, studies have shown a higher incidence of complications, especially blood clots, in combiined procedures. I would not ask your surgeon to perform an operation that he or she does not feel comfortable performing. Younmight want to discuss it with. Your... more

Too risky to combine tummy tuck and partial hysterectomy?

Yes it is. The uterus is not a sterile organ. Contamination of the tummy tuck could cause fatal sepsis. Patients push their doctors to do such risky things to save money. We have our own JCAHO inspected operating room and I have been doing my own anesthesia for over 30 years with a perfect safety record. This saves around $3000 per surgery and eliminates the urge to combine procedures. The incidence of complications begins to double for every hour of surgery over 2 hrs. Leg vein blood clots... more

Partial Hysterectomy at the time of Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck and hysterectomy each carry a certain amount of risk, which is acceptable when done alone. However, when the two procedures are combined together, these risks are increased and are beyond what I consider to be acceptable for an elective operation. The risks include Deep Venous thrombosis, infection, and bleeding among others, all of which are increased when the two procedures are combined. You would benefit most from a full tummy tuck to get the desired contour and... more

Tummy Tuck and Hysterectomy

From your photos, it appears that you need a full tummy tuck and a mini will not produce an ideal result. If you have had significant issues with your fibroids, I would consider staging the procedures since there may be issues with your hysterectomy that could complicate your surgery. I would not embark on less of a surgery just to get the procedures done more quickly. Get a second opinion as this is a more complicated question and needs to be addressed in person. Best of... more

Hysterectomy and Tummy Tuck

I am also of the opinion that these to operations should be done at a separate time. The concerns I have would be the potential complications with a prolonged operation in regards to DVT, blood loss, and potential for bowel injury. All of theses factors are can occur with abdominoplasty and hysterectomy but are more likely when hysterectomy is performed. I would recommend getting your gynecologic issues solved prior to seeking aesthetic correction of your abdomen... more

Full abdominoplasty will give you the best result, but I recommend separating this from the hysterectomy

The question you raise about the benefits of a "mini" abdominplasty (I prefer the proper anatomical term of "lower" abdominoplasty, as no operation of this extent is "mini" in my opinion) vs. full abdominoplasty is an excellent question. For each patient, a discussion of the patients complaints, expectations, history of weight fluctuation and previous abdominal surgery will play a large role in planning which operation is the best for the individual patient. A thorough... more

Full tummy tuck will give you the best result

Hello, It is not uncommon to combine surgical procedures. Some are well worth doing like breast and tummy tuck others may be best done separately. I think a partial hysterectomy and a full tummy tuck would be one of those combinations that are best performed separately. When undergoing a full tummy tuck you want the best result possible. To do so, swelling, weight, volume, etc would be better assessed later after your hysterectomy. You will inevitably get... more

You can get full tummy tuck with hysterectomy.

As long as you are healthy, you should be able to undergo abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with hysterectomy. I have done many abdominoplasty with hysterectomy without problems. In regards to mini-tummy tuck vs. full tummy tuck, the full tummy tuck will give you a better result. The full tummy tuck will address excess skin, excess fat, and lax upper and lower abdominal muscle better. As you stated, a mini-TT will give you a limited result.

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Although the pictures are somewhat limited, I think it is clear that a mini tummy talk will leave you with a very limited (if any) improvement. Generally speaking, inmy opinion, the mini tummy tuck is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For... more

Hysterectomy with Full Tummy Tuck

If patients are overall healthy and if your gynecologist & plastic surgeon agree, these surgeries can often be combined.

George John Alexander, MD

3 reviews

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Can I have a Tummy Tuck and Hysterectomy at the same time?

Believe it or not, this is a common question. The short answer is that the risks of the combined procedures are higher, the most common being blood clots in the legs. That said, I have performed these two procedure together with a very experienced and talented GYN surgeon who performs the hysterectomy laparoscopically only. This allows me to then perform the Tummy Tuck procedure with less abdominal discomfort so that patients are up and moving around faster which decreases the risk of clots... more

Erez Sternberg, MD

10 reviews

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Hello

From the picture that you have posted, it does really give us a clear idea on what results you’re looking at. We do see look that you would benefit from a full abdominalplasty not a mini tummy tuck. It will not get rid of the loose skin above your belly button area. Having a Tummy Tuck and a partial Hysterectomy is a pretty serious case. I would reconsider having both done at the same time.

Is It Too Much of a Risk to Combine a Full Tummy Tuck with a Partial Hysterectomy?

Thanks for the question and posted photos. To me and understand I have not examined you in person. You need a full TYT not a mini. So if you cannot have the full TT with the partial hysterectomy than wait 3 to 6 months to than do it correctly. Regards

Combining surgical procedures

It appears as though you're a good candidate for a full tummy tuck. I frequently perform cosmetic surgery with other abdominal and gyn related procedures. see video

Traditional tummy tuck will give you a better result

Based on your photos, I would recommend a full, traditional tummy tuck. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon and gynecologist (regarding the hysterectomy). A mini-tummy tuck will not remove sufficient skin in your case. I would consult with a few board certified plastic surgeons if you are still unsure. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

Combination Tummy Tuck and Hysterectomy

In my practice, I have found the combination of a tummy tuck and a gynecological procedure like a hysterectomy to be a common occurrence.Performed in the proper setting on an otherwise healthy patient it is a safe and logical decision. The pain and recovery of the elective tummy tuck will be masked by the medically necessary hysterectomy.With regards to the choice of tummy tuck to perform; I, like the majority of my colleagues ,feel that a mini tuck does very little to improve the appearance... more

Combined procedures

I commonly perform this procedure along with a hysterectomy. The biggest issue as stated is the risk of developing a blood clot which can be fatal. Precautions should be taken and done by qualified surgeons in a hospital setting.

Michael Hueneke, MD

6 reviews

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck with hysterectomy

It is not uncommon to have a tummy tuck at the same time of an OB/GYN procedure like a hysterectomy. However, your plastic surgeon will need to review your overall health status to determine if it is wise and safe to combine the two procedures. Please visit with a board certified PS surgeon to learn more about your options. Best of luck. Dr. Basu Houston, TX

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Comments (1)

CherylnLA 23 Jul 2012

Thank you all for your input. I am following all of the precautionary advice. Everyone has sufficiently scared me to be compliant with your advice to do a full separately and not sweat it. Additionally, I am not seeking a absolute flat stomach as I don't think it is reasonable for my body shape/style but I do not want to through good money away on a hasty decision. Thank you all!

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