Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck if I have a permanent colostomy? (Photo)

I'm delighted that you are disease free. Now you can concentrate on restoring your abdomen. The first question I have is whether your surgeons have an option of taking down your colostomy and creating a continent pouch. It all depends on what parts of your colon was removed and what remains. If that is not an option, it all depends on how tight your skin is. Ideally, the margins of your colostomy can be excised with the overhanging skin. In your case, a higher riding incision could be better than a secondary incision from the colostomy site. The ostomy would be left at it's existing location, plication would have to be altered a little so that the ostomy is at a convenient location (not the midline), and a new skin opening would be made. Considering your age, BMI, duration of surgery, and most impostant, prior neoplasm, you could require post operative DVT treatment (such as lovenox). It all depends on carefull planning. Best of luck!

Yes, it is possible to have a tummy tuck with an existing colostomy as long as your underlying health is good (sounds like it is, congratulations). The type of tummy tuck and results will vary and this should be discussed in depth with your plastic surgeon. There is a higher level of difficultly and a bit higher risk of infection, but these are all a part of the consultation. I work with Dr. Lippie and Coats and would be happy to assist in any way to help you make an informed decision.

First off, congratulation on having no signs of cancer. A tummy tuck can be done. As the other plastic surgeons have indicated, there are more risks. In person consultation will be able to help you to determine what is the safest and most sound procedure for you. 

Thank you for your question. A tummy tuck with a colostomy is at higher risk for wound healing problems and/or infection. It can be done however as long as there is limited undermining and the amount of skin excision is not too aggressive. This is more consistent with a mini-tummy tuck.  Good luck!

Dear Patient,congratulation on the good news !yes, a tummy tuck can be done, even with a permanent colostomy.did you have Radiation Therapy too ? if so, you may have to wait a full year until the tissues soften.and you still would need full clearance from your oncologist, and treating physician.good luck,Florence Mussat, M.D.

Abdominoplasty with a colostomy can be done but may have more risk. You could consider liposuction of the abdomen with a more limited abdominoplasty. 

Best to discuss with your colo-rectal surgeon what they recommend and who (which PS) they work well with....

You have two options for a tummy tuck and they would differ on the result and how they are done. You could remove some of the overhang with tissue removed well  below where your existing colostomy is now. This is more like a mini tummy tuck and would provide some improvement. For a more complete removal of the overhang, your colostomy would need to be relocated up higher on your abdominal wall. Then three to six months later, the complete abdominal overhang could be removed.

Technically, a tummy tuck can be performed with a colostomy in place.  The colostomy would be dissected free and brought out through a new opening.  The previous colostomy location, if not within the excised area can be closed.  The reality is that the procedure is rarely performed and would face plenty of hesitation from many plastic surgeons.  You may want to entertain optimizing your diet and exercise and when you are within you ideal weight range evaluate the possibility of doing a panniculectomy (removal of the overhang) and then a revision of the vertical scar where additional tissue can be removed.  Proceeding this way will allow your colostomy area to be left alone in its current location.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta