Can You Undergo a Tummy Tuck with Cold/coughing Symptoms?

asked 2 years ago by mythreekids in Pennsylvania
Latest answer by C. Bob Basu, MD
Question viewed 1,321 times
Tags: sick

I am scheduled for a tummy tuck on Friday. Last Sunday, I started with cold symptoms and have been coughing ever since (today is Wed.) Talked to the plastic surgeon and he wants to do the surgery since I am not running a fever. I am hesistant because my stomach (I have a hernia) is alread sore from coughing...How will the healing process be impacted by coughing? Any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks!

7 answers to Can You Undergo a Tummy Tuck with Cold/coughing Symptoms?

Tummy tuck while coughing

If you are having a hernia repair and a TT, it would certainly not be ideal for you to be coughing during the recovery because of the increased intraabdominal pressure caused by that. But we don't know the degree of this issue in your particular situation so I would talk again to your doctor (a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, not a "cosmetic surgeon" - right??) and express your concerns and see what they suggest.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Cold symptoms and Tummy Tuck

I do not think it is a good idea to undergo a Tummy Tuck and hernia repair while you are experiencing cold symptoms for most of the reasons already mentioned here. Coughing will challenge your hernia repair and also the tightening of your muscles. In addition, coughing after surgery can increase your pain and discomfort. Furthermore, general anesthesia while you have an upper respiratory process for an elective procedure is not advised. Hold off, feel better, and then proceed with your... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Coughing and tummy tucks

While the cough may not signify anything infectious or important, coughing after a tummy tuck can not only be painful, but may disrupt your sutures. This is especially true since you have a hernia already. I would recommend waiting until you are asymptomatic.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Don't have Tummy Tuck while you have cold

I don't think that you should undergo tummy tuck surgery while you have a cold. This is an elective procedure and should be done under the most optimal circumstances both for your safety and for the best outcome. If you continue to cough a lot after the surgery, the increased abdominal pressure will cause you to have more pain and possibly strain the muscle repair.

Caroline Min, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Don't mix coughing and tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a significant procedure to recover from even in the best of health. A cough would make the recovery miserable and would put you in jeopardy of getting more serious lung infections. You need to be able to keep your lungs clear and take deep breaths in a controlled fashion. The stress on the muscles from coughing could undo some of the procedure. Part of a tummy tuck is to pull the muscles together to tighten the abdominal wall and this part hurts. Coughing would be very... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Do NOT have elective surgery with an active cold / flu

You are right. For safety concerns you should postpone your elective operation. Not only would you be taking an uncalled for chance with pulmonary complications resulting from having an airway from the mouth to the major airway (trachea) which could translate into a potential pneumonia but, as you so aptly pointed out each subsequent cough after your tummy tuck would be rather painful. The more coughing you do, the more there is a chance that the midline repair will be challenged and may be... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty with cough

I agree with Dr. Rand. Certainly, it most likely is a viral infection. However, if you have any upper respiraory infection, secretions can build up during anesthiesia and prompt you to cough repeatedly which could strain the repair.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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