Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Is It Better to Have Tummy Tuck Done Locally?

I am considering getting a Tummy Tuck and some work done to my face. There is only one surgeon who can perform a facial procedure I am interested in but he is a 4 hr. plane ride away.

Do I do the Tummy Tuck and face work away from home (do all procedures with anesthesia just once) which may mean an uncomfortable plane ride (with some risks of blood clots) home or do the tummy tuck locally and face work later out of state? Costs are pretty comparable. I'm more concerned about convenience/comfort.

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abdomen face anesthesia blood clot costs facial plastic surgeon

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by BARBIEWANNABE in CHICAGO, IL

Doctor Answers (16)
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Have cosmetic surgery done locally whenever possible

Travelling to have surgery increases the risks of postoperative complications and should be avoided whenever possible. You correctly mention the risk of blood clots with long airplane flights and the general discomfort of travel. But there is more than that to worry about. I follow my patients for months after surgery and usually see them 4 to 6 times in the first month of surgery. Postoperative healing requires monitoring that is best done by seeing your surgeon in person. It is not... more

Traveling long distances for surgery increases the risks of a tummy tuck

Hi Barbiewannabe A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a fairly involved procedure and it would be safer if it were performed locally. If it is truly necessary that your facial surgery be performed by a surgeon who is 4 hrs away, then is would probably be preferable to separate the procedures and have the tummy tuck done at a different time. Since both procedures are time consuming this is not a bad idea even if they were both done locally. If you ultimately decide to combine the procedures... more

Have a Tummy Tuck or Facelift locally or across the country

I agree with the two comments below. American Plastic surgery has come a long way. New innovations are rapidly and widely implemented. As much as me, Dr. Moelleken and Dr. Rand would like you to come to see us, we know that you are much better served by having a local surgeon see after you. These days every major city, especially Chicago, has several excellent Plastic surgeons who could JUST as well perform the vast majority of procedures as the surgeon you have in mind 4 plane hours away... more

Combined face and tummy cosmetic surgery

First, I would recommend separating the procedures into 2 operations. This frees you up to go elsewhere for the face and it is safer too. Secondly, Chicago has many outstanding plastic surgeons (Dr. Placik on RealSelf for example). If there is a surgery which only someone out of Chicago will do, this is a huge red flag about the surgery or the surgeon claiming they know something no one else does. Be very careful not to be fooled by these things and don't get hung up on wanting a... more

Out of town plastic surgery tips

This is a very good question. First, I am not sure if you are having a face lift , rhinoplasty ,or a minor facial procedure done. I would advise against doing a tummy tuck with a facial procedure which takes longer than one hour to perform well. My concern is the prolonged anesthesia time. The current recommendation by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is to limit elective outpatient anesthesia time to 6 hours or less. If you must travel for your surgery, I recommend planning to... more

Long distance surgery

Since you live in Chicago, you need to be certain that you have to go on a 4 hour plane ride to have a special facial procedure done. Perhaps the procedure you are anticipating is only specially named or branded and really not as special as it is being portrayed. To my knowledge, there are no facial procedures so special that they would warrant a 4-hour plane ride (except perhaps a facial transplant). If you still feel that you need to go elsewhere you should separate the procedures. You... more

Traveling for surgery- is it worth it?

It is generally best to have your surgery locally if the patient feels the best surgeon is in their area. If you seek exceptional experience or expertise in a particular procedure, it may be necessary to travel. There are surgeons in various fields who stand out as being particularly expert. Typically they have considerable experience with a particular procedure. Often they are at or affiliated with major academic centers and have published extensively in their field. These surgeons... more

Ask yourself, why is there only one doctor who can do it?

I always worry when someone says that in the whole US there is only one doctor who can do a procedure. Perhaps some difficult ear or craineofacial reconstruction -- there may only be a few, but one? As far as a tummy tuck is concerned, it is best performed near where you live.

Surgery done in your hometown

I think that it is best, if possible, to have the surgery done in your hometown. Besides the risks involved with blood clots from traveling soon after surgery, there will likely be many questions that will pop up after your procedure, and it is always best if you can go see the surgeon themselves rather than trying to communicate by phone.

There are excellent surgeons all across the country

The surgeon that is four hours away will provide an excellent service for you but the real question is how will that surgeon handle a complication that will require his/her direct attention from four hours away by plane! It is advisable to seek a local surgeon that can provide the services you want and can deal with complications that may occur. The whole goal is improvement of your contour in the safest manner possible. Good Luck.

Stay close to your surgeon

If you are going to have surgery out of town, then plan to stay there for a couple of weeks. Your doctor won't be able to treat your complication and to answer your questions if you are hundreds of miles away. About 5-10 times per year, I operate on patients from out of state. My only requirement is that they stick around for the first couple of weeks. While complications are unusual, they can be so easy to treat if the patient can just pop into my office. On the other hand, from a distance... more

Getting Surgery Out of Town

The logistics of getting surgery out of town are not impossible. There are several issues that have to be considered. First, for the tummy tuck you will have drains that will need to be in place for 7-10 days and occasionally up to 14 days. Second, for facial work I like to see the patients the day after surgery then every week for the first 3 weeks. Next, you have to consider the possibility of complications. Murphy's Law being what it is something will happen when you least can afford... more

Having surgery out of town

Having surgery away from your home is not as easy as you might think. And, it is certainly not as safe, particularly if you are not staying in the vicinity of your surgeon during the recovery period (which, for a tummy tuck, could be several weeks). Aside from the increased risks of blood clots in your legs (deep venous thrombosis or DVT's) when traveling soon after a tummy tuck, there are always things that come up. You may have drains that are not ready to be removed before you are... more

Plastic surgery locally or or travel for a distant expert

In performing surgery on our local patients, we have concerns that can easily be evaluated by examining the patient. When a patient travels, these concerns may be difficult to manage over a distance. If you are set on the long distance plastic surgeon, it may be wise to make arrangements to stay there until clear. For a facelift this means about 10 days (in my opinion). The risks of a tummy tuck and postoperative management are generally longer than that. For example a drain may be in for... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for surgery

Unless you are in an isolated region, which Chicago is not, I would recommend having your surgery done locally. Even if you stay in town for a week or two after surgery long term follw up will give better results if there is a problem such as a fluid collection or poor scarring. I have taken care of patients who decide to have their surgery outside of the country if there is a problem you must see another surgeon, someone who you probably have never met and who has not done your case. more

Local Tummy Tuck

There are definitely advantages to having any procedure performed near your home. The main concern is having an unforeseen problem postoperatively which can occur with any surgery and with any surgeon. I would be very concerned about a 4 hour plane trip within 7-10 days of either or both surgeries. I am not sure of the facial procedure that you want to undergo, but there are a great many qualified plastic surgeons in the Chicago area with whom you could consult.