Tummy Tuck with VP Shunt?

I'm sorry to hear about your surgery cancellation, especially after receiving clearance from your healthcare providers. It's important to understand that each plastic surgeon may have their own comfort level and experience with specific medical conditions or devices, like a VP shunt. In your case, it seems the surgeon might not have felt comfortable proceeding with the surgery due to your VP shunt.

It's crucial to find a plastic surgeon who has experience working with patients who have VP shunts or is willing to collaborate with your other healthcare providers to ensure your safety during and after the surgery. A thorough consultation, including a review of your medical history and open communication between your plastic surgeon, PCP, and other specialists involved in your care, is essential to minimize risks and achieve the best outcome possible.

Don't be discouraged by this cancellation. Keep looking for a plastic surgeon with experience or willingness to work with patients with VP shunts. Your health and safety should always be the top priority. Thank you for your question, and I wish you the best of luck in your search for the right plastic surgeon.

I would be very cautious in proceeding with a tummy tuck and liposuction with a VP shunt. You cannot perform liposuction anywhere near the VP shunt. It may cause the VP shunt to be dislodged or damaged. I would also consider the risks of a tummy tuck. A VP shunt is usually placed in the upper part of the tummy, so it will likely be encountered during your surgery. The VP shunt may become kinked when the skin is pulled tight. Also, working near the VP shunt may also cause it to become infected or damaged.

In cases with a VP shunt, it depends exactly where the shunt is tunneled and situated over the abdomen. It may be in an area that is not encountered during the tummy tuck. If it is, the surgeon who placed it can be in the operating room with the plastic surgeon to help guide the plastic surgeon to avoid hitting it or encountering it all together.

Thanks for your inquiry which is an interesting question. The VP shunt should not be exposed if possible at the time of the abdominoplasty to prevent infection and a shunt leak/fistula. No liposuction should be performed around the shunt so it is not injured. Also as you pull the abdominal flap it may become kinked or dislodged. If your shunt is no longer needed--maybe have it removed as well? It is best for your surgeon to be studied and prepared about surgery on you, it is best to be safe.

Dear Cute543992,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. You will need to get a clearance from your doctor.I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Although care must be taken not to disturb the shunt I see no reason why an abdominoplasty could not be performed. Because liposuction is a relatively blind procedure, it should not be performed in the vicinity of the shunt.

The liposuction cannot be done in the area of your shunt, but otherwise you can be treated. There still is a risk of injury to your shut.

The issue with the shunt is the path it takes. Usually subcutaneous through the tummy skin then down and through the abdominal wall. If the path for you goes too low any tummy tuck would pull on the shunt potentially dislodging and causing serious problems.

Where does your travel?

Each plastic surgeon will make the round decisions in regards to what they’re comfortable with. It’s important to plastic surgeon is aware of where the shunt is so it’s not damaged during the procedure. Potentially the procedure may need to be altered and I suppose there’s always some potential risk that the shunt could be damaged during the procedure. As long as the plastic surgeon knows where the shunt is it should be easy to work around it.
It’s not a bad idea to have multiple consultations to simply find the most talented plastic surgeon and while consulting you can ask each provider how they feel about doing the procedure on someone who the VP shunt.
It shouldn’t be too hard to find someone willing to help you.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD