I was told I needed to get an abdominal ultrasound for abdominal distention. Do I call my PCP and request one? Mommy makeover

Question

What happens if my organs are enlarged?

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry,  being married to a primary care doctor,  your doctor will probably need to see you before ordering a test, but check if they will do it, good luck.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

hello thank you for your question and provided your question as well...Sonography is ordered to see the abdominal diastasis, based on your question, ideally in that case is to consult with your certified plastic surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question. The physician who felt you would benefit from the abdominal ultrasound would be responsible for writing the prescription.  Hope this helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are experiencing distention after surgery and your surgeon advised you to have an ultrasound then he/she should be able to provide the orders.  If it is requested in order to clear you for surgery you many wish to see your PCP, or your surgeon can order the test.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD · Answer

Dear Tx2dradisla,
  
If you are having abdominal distention after a tummy tuck, the most common cause would be constipation due to the narcotic pain medicine you are taking.  The other reason would be if there was a concern that the muscle tightening sutures had pulled through the tissues or had themselves popped.  You did not elucidate the reason for the distention.  This may be based on your insurance also.  If you are on an HMO, most likely that test has to be ordered from your PCP.  Otherwise, the surgeon should have no problem ordering it.  Fortunately, it is not an expensive test.  I hope this has been helpful to you.
Robert D. Wilcox, M.D.

Donn M. Hickman, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  It is not clear whether you are discussing postoperative abdominal distension or concerns before you undertake mommy makeover tummy surgery. Patients with a history of bloating for a number of benign reasons may experience this after tummy surgery as the body adjusts to repair and recovery including all the medication that might be consumed  Patients with bloating before surgery, complaining about that, should also consider preoperative abdominal ultrasound to look for lumps on the female organs or simply a collection of gas in the bowel that ordinarily collects in your case. Often the final smoothing and contouring of the abdomen after abdominal liposuction alone or following a tummy tuck can take many months, and be associated with tummy fullness from bloating.  An ultrasound is a simple way to study the problem.

Earl E. Ferguson III, MD, FACS · Answer

It is generally the responsibility of the physician who felt that you needed the study to order it.  Your PCM probably wouldn't know what they were looking for in the study since it wasn't their query.

Emily B. McLaughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. If a surgeon suggested you needed an ultrasound for whatever reason, it would be that surgeon's responsibility to order the exam. Your results should then be reviewed with you by your surgeon. Good luck!

I was told I needed to get an abdominal ultrasound for abdominal distention. Do I call my PCP and request one? Mommy makeover

Answers (8)

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