Why is a tummy tuck an outpatient procedure?

Thank you for your question regarding why a tummy tuck or fluer de lis or 360 lower body lift is an outpatient procedure. Patients spend time in the hospital for post-operative monitoring for higher-risk procedures. After pregnancy, there are many possible things that can go wrong. There is a high chance of bleeding and other potential complications after a c-section. In my opinion, the risk of complications is much higher after delivering a child and a c-section compared to a tummy tuck or FDL or 360 lower body lift. Nonetheless, I've performed hundreds of lower body lifts and tummy tucks. I agree with your statistic. Approximately 99% of tummy tucks and lower body lifts are outpatient procedures. However, for all of my FDL's and 360 circumferential lower body lifts, I have my patients monitored in a freestanding monitored unit for approximately 48 hours. This helps to monitor for potential bleeding problems, fluid imbalances, and pain relief. Though this is not mandatory for all plastic surgeons, it is mandatory for my body lift patients. When choosing a plastic surgeon, make sure you feel comfortable with their approach and their postoperative care. Check on their reviews. Your chosen plastic surgeon's plan has to make sense to you because you will be the one undergoing the procedure. Thank you for your question regarding why a tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Typically tummy tucks are outpatient procedures if performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility. This also assumes the patient is in general good health with a clean or well controlled medical history. As safety is always the number one priority in surgery, if criteria are not met then the surgery will be performed in a hospital setting and may also require an overnight stay for observation. I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about your concerns.

Thank you for sharing your question. A tummy tuck is typically an outpatient procedure but if a belt or body lift is being done many patients prefer staying overnight for assistance. I would voice your concerns to your surgeon so that the best advice can be offered.