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Abdominoplasty for Old Cholesystectomy Scar and Excess Skin?

I have a Cholesycstectomy scar (kocher) and would love to have an abdominoplasty, as I have lost 10 stones in weight and have lots of excess skin. I realize that this scar may cause problems, although it is 19 years old and never caused me any trouble. Please, could you tell me what my options might be? Many thanks.

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abdomen skin scar weight loss

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by bluegirluk in Milton Keynes

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How would an old-fashioned Gall Bladder (Kocher) Scar influence Tummy Tuck Choices?

Dear BlueGirl, Congratulations on the 140 pound weight loss. You bring up a very vexing question. One with which you are obviously familiar but many of the others reading these posts are not. For their benefit, I will first explain how scar placements affect subsequent abdominal contouring procedures, especially abdominoplasties. The blood (and with it the oxygen) flow to the tummy skin normally come from three discrete sources. First, from branches of the groin (Femoral) arteries. From... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty and cholecsytectomy scar

Congratulations on your weight loss. The scar from your gall bladder surgery does change the blood supply in the area. An abdominoplasty may still be possible with some modifications of the "typical" technique. It may be possible to still do an abdominoplasty with the trade-off of a higher scar than is typical. There is an operation called a "reverse abdominoplasty" which may be an option. With the amount of weight you have lost please seek a consultation with a member... more

Abdominoplasty with Old Abdominal Scarring

Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss Although there is some interference with normal blood supply with your scar, it was long enough ago that you can probably undergo a TT relatively safely, sinc there should be a far amount of collateral circulation at this time.

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Previous abdominal scars can complicate plastic surgery as the blood supply to the various areas of the abdominal skin and fat is permanently altered by the prior surgery. My best advice is to see an experienced surgeon who has operated on patients like yourself in the past successfully. The surgical technique can be altered to minimize the risk and still deliver a good outcome and a consultation will help you decide which procedure and surgeon is right for you. Dr. Sean Simon miami, fl... more

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