Can someone with fibroids get a full tummy tuck?

Question

In my late 40s & have fibroids. Found out I can wait until menopause for fibroids to shrink on their own or get embolization or hysterectomy. Is someone with fibroids a candidate for a tummy tuck? Also, some doctors say their TT patients aren't required to stoop after surgery. Are others pulling too tightly to get the horizontal scar low & avoid the vertical scar, which I was told I might need? Is that a red flag or a preferred technique? I can do w/o the vertical scar but safety is priority

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Recommend that you address the fibroid issue with your gynecologist prior to scheduling a TT.  I make the scar as low as possible so that it can be concealed by a bikini.  The small vertical scar is very, very rarely necessary, but this depends upon the aggressiveness of undermining and removal.You may find yourself hunched over for a few days post op; this can be attributed to a combination of repair and incision.  The muscles have been irritated to a certain extent by plication and the surgery itself.  The abdominal wall may need several months to get accustomed to the changes.  Most patients need 1 to 2 weeks before returning to a sedentary activities and 6 weeks before strenuous activity.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Scott Reis, MD · Answer

These are all fantastic questions and show that you've done your homework. Fibroids in and of themselves ll not prevent you from having a tummy tuck. It's important though to speak to your gynecologist beforehand though, because it's easy and very common to combine hysterectomy and tummy tuck in a single combined procedure. If you're done having children and your OB-Gyn recommends now or thinks you'll need hysterectomy in the future you may want to consider a combined procedure, since a hysterectomy after a tummy tuck can affect the abdominal wall repair and cosmetic results. 
Regarding abdominal tightness, stooping and the vertical scar, these and vary patient to patient as they depend on each patients unique anatomy including: amount of vertical skin laxity, skin elasticity and how high on the abdomen the belly button (umbilicus) is located. The higher the BB and the less vertical laxity and elasticity, the harder it is to advance the tissue above the BB down to the low scar position. This results in a tighter closure and sometime a vertical scar if it's so tight that it's likely to result in wound breakdown. Each patient is different so I suggest you speak carefully with a board certified or board eligible plastic surgeon regarding your best options and what to expect after surgery. Best of luck

Lawrence Iteld, MD · Answer

Uterine fibroids are very common and can be treated in
several ways.  These include observation,
embolization, removal, and hysterectomy.  Unto themselves, fibroids should not impact
your ability to have a tummy tuck.
That being said, prior to your tummy tuck, I would encourage
patients to discuss their treatment strategy and plan with their
gynecologist.  If a hysterectomy or
laparoscopic removal is recommended, this may be able to be performed at the
time of your abdominoplasty.  It is a
grade opportunity to do two things at once.  We have collaborated with our gynecologists on
multiple occasions with very high success and satisfaction rates.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Depending on the extent of your fibroids you can combine a hysterectomy and a tummy tuck in the same procedure to minimize the number of procedures required.  Fibroids in and of themselves do not prevent a patient from obtaining a tummy tuck as the uterus is deep to the muscles of the stomach while a tummy tuck only interacts with the muscles and skin above.  Hope this helps.

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

Fibroids will not prevent you from having a tummy tuck. However, if you are considering surgery for that, you may want to have that procedure done first. You don't want to alter your cosmetic appearance after the tummy tuck. No one wants a vertical scar if it can be avoided. But, just because you need to bend forward the first few days after surgery, doesn't mean that you have been pulled too tightly. Good luck!

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Yes, I think you could likely carry out a combination procedure to have a TT at the same time as surgery for your fibroids. It is not uncommon to do that. It just requires some coordination between the OB/GYN and plastic surgeon in terms of scheduling and post-op care. Best wishes

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi belleFor a good answer, you need an exam.  If you have small to moderate sized fibroids, likely you will be able to undergo tt.  However if you have large fibroids, getting a good muscle repair will not be possible- uterus pushes out and will leave you rounded.The vertical scar you refer to (as I understand it) is due to a high riding umbilicus with not a lot of elasticity to pull the flap down and get rid of the old belly button scar.  The need for a vertical scar is something that is determined by your anatomy and the decision where to place the horizontal scar, so not a lot of options on this one.sek

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Fibroids can impede the results of a tummy tuck if they are large and causing the abdomen to protrude.  If they are small, then it should not impact the results.

Can someone with fibroids get a full tummy tuck?

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