Had a torn bladder during a caesarean section. Could I safely have a tummy tuck four years later?

Question

Could this be a problem? Do they go near your bladder and will there be scaring around the area ?

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Torn bladder repair surgery should not interfere with your ability to get a tummy tuck, as long as you have healed and have no further issues.

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Hello! During Tummy tuck surgery we are always above the muscles of abdominal wall. In no way, we entre the abdominal cavity during this. You can safely undergo tummy tuck surgery following your previous surgery. However, we routinely advise the patients to do ultrasonography examination of abdomen, if the person has undergone surgery previously, just be precautious and safe during surgery.
We routinely do mommy-makeover surgeries at our Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India.
Thank  you,

Regards,
Dr Sameer Karkhanis,
Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck includes removal of the excess skin of the abdomen and, in some patients, a suture repair of the separation of the rectus muscles to create the flattest abdomen possible.  The bladder is deep to all these tissues and would not be affected during an abdominoplasty/tummy tuck.  Best wishes.

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

In most cases, yes, you can safely have a tummy tuck four years after a bladder injury during a cesarean section, provided you healed properly and have no ongoing urinary complications. A standard abdominoplasty is performed in the abdominal wall layer above the muscle and does not directly operate on or enter the pelvic cavity where the bladder sits. The surgeon works in the plane between the skin/fat and the abdominal fascia, so they are not dissecting near the bladder itself. However, prior C-section scarring &mdash; especially if there was a complication like a bladder injury &mdash; can create internal scar tissue (adhesions). While this usually does not prevent surgery, it is important that your plastic surgeon is aware of the history so they can plan carefully. If you have no current bladder symptoms, infections, pain, or urinary issues, a prior repaired bladder injury alone is not typically a contraindication to abdominoplasty. A preoperative consultation and possibly review of operative records would provide additional reassurance.

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

In a tummy tuck, the dissection proceeds through the skin and fatty tissue down to the level of the abdominal wall musculature. The dissection does NOT go deeper than the abdominal wall fascia. The bladder is a intra-peritoneal organ, so there should not be any concern for injury to the bladder. There will definitely be scar tissue extending from the level of the skin down through the fat to the abdominal wall. And most of that scar tissue will be removed during a tummy tuck. But to ensure that there are no surprises during surgery, your surgeon should perform a physical exam and/or obtaining imaging to ensure that are no abdominal wall defects or hernias present which would need to be addressed before/during your tummy tuck.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

Assuming that you are not having any problems after your torn bladder repair, having a tummy tuck now should not be affected by that. A tummy tuck procedure is in the superficial abdomen including the muscle repair and does not go near the bladder. Good luck!

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as bladder has fully healed, which should be after years, this should pose no problem to a safe tummy tuck.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

If the torn bladder required repair by going through the abdominal wall then this may have left scar tissue that will make the tummy tuck a little more difficult. However, if that is not the situation then you should have not problem.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Daniel Careaga, MD · Answer

A torn bladder during a C-section is certainly an unfortunate complication, but the important thing is that it was recognized and repaired at the time. Four years later, if you’ve healed well and haven’t had ongoing bladder problems, it typically does not prevent you from having a tummy tuck. During an abdominoplasty, the surgeon works above the abdominal muscles and outside the abdominal cavity. The bladder, intestines, and other internal organs are not exposed or operated on. Muscle tightening (if needed) is performed on the surface of the abdominal wall, not inside it. Unless you have a significant hernia requiring deeper repair&mdash;in which case a general surgeon might be involved&mdash;a prior bladder injury and repair generally does not increase the risk of a standard tummy tuck. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, along with a review of your surgical records, would help confirm you’re a good candidate.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you have healed well from your bladder surgery and are not experiencing issues you should be able to proceed with a tummy tuck without concern.  It would be helpful if you could bring your records from your previous surgery for your plastic surgeon to review.  This information along with an examination will determine if you are a candidate.

Had a torn bladder during a caesarean section. Could I safely have a tummy tuck four years later?

Answers (10)

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