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Tummy Tuck During a Partial Hysterectomy?

asked 3 years ago by babybelly in St. George,UT
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 13,436 times
Tags: hysterectomy

I have to undergo hysterectomy, and would love to do a tummy tuck at the same time. Is it safe and cost-effective?

22 answers to Tummy Tuck During a Partial Hysterectomy?

+3

You can do it, but don't count on the insurance company to pay for it

Babybelly, Performing an abdominoplasty after a hysterectomy is common, however there is often a misconception by the patient that they will not have to pay for the operating room time for that portion of the procedure since they are having and "insurance approved procedure anyway." However, most hospitals will calculate the time required for the hysterectomy and charge that to the insurance company and then you are responsible for the remainder of the time. Also, the surgeon who... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+2

Yes a tummy tuck is possible

If you are a healthy non-obese patient whose gynecologist and plastic surgeon work frequently together, it can be a reasonable combination procedure as the other doctors have stated. Just be sure to listen to any hesitation on their parts and not to push them in this direction if they don't feel it is the best thing for you.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck: cost effective and safe.

The only way to know if this is an option for you is to discuss this option with your gynecologist. If it is an option it combines surgeries and reduces cost.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Combining tummy tuck and partial hysterectomy

Babybelly, Any time you combine procedures as complex as hysterectomy and abdominoplasty, your surgical risks increase. This being known, the risks are still low, and I have performed many such combined surgeries safely. Ask your gynecologist if there is a plastic surgeon that he works with or can recommend for a dual surgery. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

It is safe and can save you money

This combination of procedures can be safely done and may also save you some money, especially with some of the anesthesia and operating room fees. If the hysterectomy is being done because of excessive bleeding you need to be sure that you are not anemic. Such risks as DVT, and wound infections maybe slightly increased, but not to a level that would prevent the surgery.
Robert D. Goldstein, MD

Bronx Plastic Surgeon
+2

Yes....why waste a good anesthetic

this is very commonly done, as long as your gynecologist is agreeable to it. there should be some savings by doing so, as opposed to just doing a purely cosmetic abdominoplasty on a separate occasion. the recovery should be about the same, so you will spend half as much recovery time as you would if you had the two procedures done separately.
Bruce K. Barach, MD

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

+2

A tummy tuck can be done together with a hysterectomy.

To babybelly, Hi! If you are in good health, this can be a safe and cost effective combination. We have done this a number of times. It is good when the gynecologist and the plastic surgeon are used to working together. I start the operation by making the incision and raising the lower part of the abdominal skin. Then it is very important that the gynecologist expose the uterus by cutting the fascia in the midline between the rectus muscles (the linea alba). This is NOT how gynecologists... more
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Yes

It is generally considered safe to combine these two procedures. In fact, it is not uncommon to have a concurrent tummy tuck with a hysterectomy. Any time surgery is extended (in the case of multiple procedures) the risk is increased - things like blood clots in the legs, infection, etc. It would be best to have surgeons who have worked together before, so each knows what the other is doing. I hope this helps. Good luck on your research. Dr. Kaufman
David L. Kaufman, MD

Folsom Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck during hysterectomy is safe but plastic surgeon and gynecologist must be in agreement.

Dear Baby Belly, I often do a tummy tuck in combination with hysterectomy. However your Gyneologic surgeon will have to agree with this option. Your Plastic Surgeon and Gynecologist should talk and discuss whether they are comfortable with this arrangement. In my opinion, it works best when I start the case, elevate the tummy tuck flaps, and then have the Gynecologist come in and do the hysterectomy. This is easier for the Gynecologist because the abdominal wall is already opened for him. It... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+2

Absolutely

Hi there, I think that, provided you are healthy and that your gynecologist is in agreement, combining your procedures makes sense, is safe, and will certainly save you some money. The only thing to bear in mind is that because your gynecologist will be operating inside your abdomen, and because the inner lining of the uterus may not be sterile, the risk of a wound infection may be a bit higher than if you were having the tummy tuck separately, but in my experience this increase in risk is... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+2

Yes

Assuming the hysterectomy is not for cancer, then an abdominoplasty is often performed at the time of the gynecological procedure. This should be coordinated between your two surgeons and provisions should be made to cancel the abdominoplasty in case any unforeseen problems occur with the hysterectomy such as significant bleeding. There is an slight increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when combining abdominoplasty and intrapelvic procedures so preventive... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck and Hysterectomy?

Thank you for the question. Yes the two procedures can be combined assuming you have cooperative plastic surgeon and OB/GYN physicians involved. The advantages of combining the procedure involve a single procedure, a single recovery and potential cost savings. The disadvantages include a high risk of clotting ( deep venous thrombosis) and/or infection. I hope this helps.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy tuck with hysterectomy

This is a question I am frequently asked. My feeling is that, even though patients like to have some gain for their pain, it is not a procedure that I commonly perform. FIrst, I have concern about the risk of bleeding from the hysterectomy. The second reason is financial. Hospitals in my area do not permit what my office manager calls hybrid operations because the fees they quote for cosmetic cases differ radically from those charged to insurance companies for surgery... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hysterectomy and Tummy tuck: Safe combination

The idea of combing hysterectomy and tummy tuck seems almost natural. Having the two procedures done at the same time means reducing your financial burden. The woman only has to go under anesthesia once and only has to go through recovery once. The safety of a combining hysterectomy followed by a Tummy Tuck is dependent on your general health. Longer times under anesthesia do increase risks. However,  tummy tuck and hysterectomy for most patients should be around 4-6 hours and is... more
Stanley Okoro, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

www.georgiaplastic.com

+1

Safety of Tummy Tuck during a partial hysterectomy

Combination Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) with a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is a commonly done operation. The safety of a combined Hysterectomy followed by a Tummy Tuck is dependent on your general health, the purpose of the hysterectomy, the amount of blood loss and the duration of the operation. Your general health and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification is extremely important. Most of us would approach a 38 year old woman with ASA III with much more... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Combined surgery - Tummy tuck and hysterectomy

As long as you are healthy and your surgeons work together, combined procedures (such as a mommy makeover) make sense from a financial standpoint as well as the recovery aspect. Longer times under anesthesia do increase risks, so be sure that you have all of these explained to you. I do not perform elective operations that are expected to last more than 6 hours, as I feel this is a safe time limit. A tummy tuck and hysterectomy for most patients and surgeons should be around 4 hours... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and hysterectomy

If the hysterectomy is for benign disease, than it is probably OK to both together. Just remember, there is definitely an increased risk of complications from combining these procedures as it has been reported in the medical literature.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and hysterectomy

Combining procedures should not be taken lightly. However, this is an ideal time to have a tummy tuck if you are a good candidate. You have to discuss with both your gynecologist and plastic surgeon about the risks involved and recovery expected. There is some cost savings with combining the two procedures. Make sure that you consider all your options before proceeding. It can be safe to do both at the same time.
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your safety comes first!

You will need to thoroughly discuss with your gynecologist and plastic surgeon to determine if they feel you are a reasonable candidate for both operations to be performed at the same time. Your safety comes first! Assuming that you are in good health and your surgeons agree to perform the hysterectomy and tummy tuck in tandem, you will need to do your homework to determine whether it is cost effective. There are many variables involved such as insurance versus out of pocket expenses for... more
Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Englewood Plastic Surgeon
+1

You can, but it raises a few questions

Hello, I have shyed away from such cases for years. There is a higher risk of embolic events (potentially moving blood clots) shown in some studies. It also can be hard to determine how much of the laxity of the abdominal wall muscle will tighten on its own given a wait. I have always figured I could do them safer and tighter if the operations were separated by at least a few months. In my neck of the woods, the discrepancy between the insurance and cash rates available for operating room... more
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Absolutely

If you are healthy and a good candidate for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), you can certainly have both procedures performed together. It makes sense and will keep costs down as well.
Michael S. Beckenstein, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck matches perfectly with hysterectomy

We are often asked by patients who require hysterectomy, partial or otherwise if they can combine a tummy tuck to reduce cost and recovery time. The simple answer is yes in most cases. The key is preparation and a good working relationship between your OB Gyn and your Plastic Surgeon. A hysterectomy can be performed by a transvaginal technique, through a low transverse incision like a c section, or a lower midline incision. Your doctors will need to coordinate the approach so that the only... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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