Okay for a general surgeon to perform tummy tuck?

Is it okay to have a Tummy Tuck done by a general surgeon during abdominal hernia repair? Is it also healthy to perform this procedure on a 65 year old woman who has had previous hernia repair and had complications healing from it? From the first hernia repair, she had an open wound from 2001 till 2008 which over the years would sometimes get infection to where she had to take antibiotics through an IV.
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22 answers to “Okay for a general surgeon to...”

A: You get what you pay for

Walter D. Gracia, MD

Some general surgeons may do an adequate job on an abdominoplasty, but it is not in there specific area of expertise. I would sugest that you seek out a board certified Plastic Surgeon  for cosmetic surgery.

A: Qualifications of a plastic surgeon performing Abdominoplasty

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Abdominoplasty procedures are designed to remove infraumbilical skin and fat; and to tighten the anterior abdominal wall musculature. Patients should always undergo these procedures with a well qualified plastic surgeon who is board certified. In more complicated abdominal reconstructions, cooperation between... more

A: No Way, particuarly in this case

Shahram Salemy, MD

In general, the answer is always "No" to this question, but this particular case sounds even more complicated than most.  My recommendation is to seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area to evaluate you to see if you are even a candidate for a tummy tuck at this time.  He or... more

A: Tummy Tucks are not part of General Surgeons' scope of training

Brian K. Brzowski, MD

Only go to doctors who practice within the scope of their training.  A weekend course or reading about it in a book is not a replacement for years of training.

A: Is it OK for a plastic surgeon to do a gallbladder removal?

Francisco Canales, MD

Hello We are all trained to specialize in an area.  Board certified plastic surgeons are best at tummy tucks and I would keep it that way.  One would never expect a plastic surgeon to take out a gallbladder and one should not expect a general surgeon to do an abdominoplasty, especially a complicated... more

A: Not in an ideal world

W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Unfortunately, this has become much more common as plastic surgeons have chosen for the most part to not accept insurance payments for procedures which are sometimes medically necessary, as it sounds like this might be.  However, the more complicated the case, the less appropriate it is for a surgeon to... more

A: Tummy Tucks should be performed by plastic surgeons

Parham Ganchi, MD

Absolutely not. Even a simple tummy tuck should be performed by a plastic surgeon if you are interested in getting the best result. The goal is not to just survive the procedure. The goal is to have a beautiful result with the nicest recovery and the least chance of developing a complication. This is what a... more

A: No

Richard P. Rand, MD

A general surgeon who has not also trained in plastic surgery should not attempt this.  Being a Board Certified General Surgeon myself, I know how they think and they think a tummy tuck is easy compared to what they do within the abdomen.  I can tell you that a beautifully done tummy tuck will not be... more

A: Not unless you're in the tundra and there are no plastic surgeons

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Steph, I don't know how rural Henderson is, but I venture to say that it is close enough to civilisation to find a plastic surgeon who can either do the entire procedure or work with the general surgeon.  The complication rate for abdominoplasty surgery is not zero even when performed by a well trained... more

A: No, plastic surgery is best done by a plastic surgeon

Nina S. Naidu, MD

No, I would not recommend having a general surgeon perform a tummy tuck, just as I would not recommend that a plastic surgeon perform neurosurgery.  It is very important to find someone who is both trained and board-certified in the procedure of your choice.  The case you have described sounds... more

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