Duration of Hospital Stay Post-Tummy Tuck?

When patients
undergo abdominoplasty safety should be everyone’s first priority.For this reason we believe that
abdominoplasty should be performed in a fully accredited surgical facility by a
board certified plastic surgeon with a board certified anesthesiologist in
attendance.When these criteria are met abdominoplasty
can be performed safely in either an inpatient or outpatient environment.In our practice, the vast majority
of abdominoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis.Occasionally when patients have co-existing
medical problems the procedure is done on an inpatient basis.Outpatient abdominoplasty offers a
variety of advantages including convenience, affordability and privacy.For this reason, we perform the majority of
our abdominoplasties on an outpatient basis.

My own experience shows that overnight stay is safer and more comforting to patients than going directly home.In some cases like mini-tuck, when my patient is in good condition ( normal blood pressure, adequate level of pain) and willing to go home where he has a relative available for aftercare, I let him go home.But in most cases I prefer my patients to stay overnight in the hospital.The aftercare nurses can monitor the patient's condition and look for first signs of trouble and alert the doctor. There is possibility of unmanaging pain or vomiting that requires very fast reacting.So, in my opinion there are more guaranties for safety with overnight stay.

I perform surgery at an outpatient surgery center. Most patients are usually discharged home, preferably with a nurse for one day.  It is the rare patient who, for a variety of reasons, may benefit from additional monitoring ( as an overnight stay or as an inpatient).  Regardless, when you are discharged home it is important to have a good support system to help you during the healing process ( the more help the better).  Generally speaking, “mommy makeover” procedures are associated with a very significant physical ( and often emotional) recovery period,  often underestimated by patients. Best wishes.