Tummy Tuck with Established UE Lymphedema?

asked 1 year ago by Vancouver238 in Vancouver, WA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 296 times
Tags: candidate, lymphedema

I currently have RUE lymphedema post breast cancer treatment and bilateral hip flap reconstruction (which are beautiful, by the way). I have now redeveloped an umbilical hernia after Davinci hysterectomy/BSO. My question is, with the lymphedema, is it safe to consider a tummy tuck in conjunction with the hernia repair? This would give me a nearly circumferential scar and I worry about the possibility of greatly increasing my lymphedema. Thank you in advance.

8 answers to Tummy Tuck with Established UE Lymphedema?

Tummy tuck after upper extremity lymphedema

Having a tummy tuck should have no affect on your upper extremity lymphedema. Speak with your surgeon as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck with ongoing lymphedema

Anytime you remove tissue, you run the risk of removing some lymph nodes. Even though the tummy tuck will remove tissue far away from your arms, your lymphatic system may have developed some alternate channels to drain. Therefore, the risk of worsening your lymphedema is small, but nonetheless present. Weigh the risks of worsening lymphedema with the benefits of having a flat tummy. If you're okay with this risk, then you may want to proceed with the tummy... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

UE Lymphedema Not Affected By Tummy Tuck

Glad to hear you've done so well with your previous surgery. The lymphedema of your arm will not be affected by going ahead with a tummy tuck. Remind your doctors and nurses to avoid placing an IV in your arm with the lymphedema.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

UE lymphedema and tummy tuck

A tummy tuck could be performed in an individual with UE lymphedema without concren for aggravating the condition other than obviously avoiding an IV in that arm during the surgical procedure.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck should not worsen upper extremity lymphedema

The lymphedema of the upper arm caused by breast cancer treatment is generally the result of changes to the lymphatics in the underarm, whether from surgical treatment of the underarm or radiation therapy. Tummy tuck should not effect this form of lymphedema, or effect the reconstruction as long as the microvascular flaps were placed away from the abdominoplasty field.

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

artfulsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck with Established UE Lymphedema

Great to hear that you are recovering so well. I agree with the previous expert posters. There is no relationship between these areas. Best of luck from MIAMI, the "real" Dr. Darryl J. Blinski 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Arm lymphedema unrelated to risk with Tummy Tuck

Hi here- Because lymphatic drainage from your right arm would not be affected at all by a Tummy Tuck incision, dissection, or recovery, there should be no reason that you could not proceed with your tummy tuck confident your problem would not worsen... There are precautions that should be attended to (no iv's or blood pressure cuffs on right arm, etc...), but as long as these are managed you should be fine.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Tummy tuck and lymphedema

The two conditions are unrelated and there should be no worsening of the upper extremity edema with the tummy tuck. The upper extremity edema is getting around the obstructed lymph nodes via the chest and neck not the abdomen. The presence of the circumferential incision should not impact the upper extremity flow of lymphatic fluid. I would discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon at the time of your consultation. Good Luck