Tummy Tuck: Q&A
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Out of Town Tummy Tuck: How Many Follow-up Appointments?
I am considering getting a Tummy Tuck this year from a doctor that is located 2.5 hours away. My question is how many follow-up appointments are necessary after a tummy tuck, and at what frequency? Is it possible to consult over video chat like skype? How do you handle out of town patients?
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14 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Mommieoftwins
+2
Out of town tummy tuck
I do not recommend thatvyou leave the area for 1-2 days postop, perhaps more depending on postop pain. You should expect to be seen for drain removal, then suture removal and subsequent followup on a regular basis, assuming no complications. I am very hands on with followup and like to see my patients more rather than less. I personally do not Skype or email because of confidentiality concerns with respect to the Internet.
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Tummy tuck follow up
In general, you should stay locally for at least a day or two after the tummy tuck. Thereafter, you should plan to come weekly for follow up appointments for about the next 1-3 weeks, and then about every 1-3 months for the next several months.
+2
Recovery differs with each patient
We also have patients come from 2.5 - 3 hours away for abdominal procedures like a full tummy tuck. We usually recommend them staying in a hotel nearby for one night. We then like to see them 1 week, 6 weeks and at least once more around 3 months. We do not use drains any longer for tummy tucks.
So if you combined your consultation with your pre-op appt - you would still total 5 trips at the minimum. Remember - you could always need to have additional...
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Out of Town Post Operative Follow Up
Thank you for the question. With out of town patients the number of visits are kept to a minimum for obvious reasons. Typically I will ask the patient remain overnight or longer if possible and then return for drain removal and wound assessment. Patients are encouraged to return for a 1 month follow up appointment when possible. While Skype is of great use for out of town patients, keep in mind that you must also be ready to return should any complications or concerns arise.
I hope this...
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Tummy Tuck 2.5 Hours Away
If you are 2.5 hours drive away, I would recommend staying at the surgeon's location at least for the first day or so (more days is always better). Then you will likely need to return at least one more time for drain removal and assessment for fluid collections. Most doctors would want to see you more than that, but patients from a distance usually only return if there is a problem.
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Out of town tummy tuck
I regularly have patients that fly into see us or that drive many hours away. It certainly can be done. I would recommend that you stay in town at least one night before returning home. A lot of follow up questions can be answered using pictures that you email. I always try to minimize the number of times that a patient traveling from distance has to come to the office. You will have to return for your drain removals unless you have a local doctor who can...
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+1
Tummy tuck
I like to see my patients a couple of days immediately after surgery to make sure everything is OK. I then see them weekly or as often as they need or want to be seen. The visits can be less frequent if everything is proceeding normally
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Tummy tuck follow ups and concerns with long distance.
Out of town patients should stay at least 3 days or so following the procedure. Immediate concerns such as pain, drain outputs, assistance with walking and getting around are of primary importance. By the end of the first week, patients are typically mobile and able to do most daily activities. Follow up visits are usually weekly for 2 weeks, then a return at 1 month. Of course, any complications (wound healing, seroma, etc.) may require more frequent visits. Using the internet may seem...
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Follow up visits for TT for aout of town patient
A full tommy tuck is an involved procedure, especially when muscles need to be plicated. Our patients stay in our over-night facility for one night, and I recommend staying is the Savannah or Coastal Empire area for another 3-4 days, according to your age, speed of recovery, and the extent of the procedure. Many patients want and need a fair amount of liposuction of the sides and back as well.
Once I know the patient is having a smooth recovery, she/he can...
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Post tummy tuck visits
I personnaly see my patients frequently after surgery.At 3 to 5 days post op , one week, one month, 3 monthes 6 monthes, and one year.
One of the biggest concerns after abdominoplasty is clots in the legs and pulmonary emboli. You should be aware of the symptoms and be able to get medical care expeditiously. The chances of having one decreases as the post op days go by. This why it is recomended you stay close to your physician for the first few days.
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Handling out of town patient having a tummy tuck
The number of follow-up appointments varies among physicians as well as with the individual patient. An uncomplicated postoperative course requires fewer visits versus one whereas a patient who has some underlying medical risks, difficulty in dealing with pain, personality issues or untoward postoperative occurrences would require more. Generally, I prefer the patient to remain in the immediate area for at least 48 - 72 hours and would minimize the subsequent visits initially such as weekly...
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Out-of-town tummy tuck follow-up recommendations.
I do surgery for out-of-town patients regularly, but only when follow-up is possible according to my recommendations. I see all tummy tuck patients the next morning to check for bleeding, suture line intactness, and circulation to the umbilicus and lower abdominal flap. If something needs to be done, right away is always better than a week later!
Most of my tummy tuck patients (especially those with liposuction as well) will have 1 or 2 drains. I leave them in for 1 week, or until...
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+1
Out of town abdominoplasty
It is difficult when you live a long distance from your surgeon especially if an emergency occurs. Many times a the local ER physician will not be capable of handling plastic surgical problems. The most intense follow up is usually in the first 4 -6 weeks. If you are coming form out of town it would be good for you to stay locally for the first 1-2 days. Then you will need to be seen at 7 days post op to have your drains removed. Most of the sutures can be...
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Tummy tucks for out of town patients
We do perform cosmetic surgery for out of town patients quite frequently. I like to see our tummy tuck patients three and five days after their surgeries to remove their drains ( one above and the other one below the belly botton). Their third visit is about six to eight weeks after their surgeries. This could be managed through skype or other means of telecommunications.
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