Why Did my Liver Function Decrease After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

I have had occasion to observe a similar elevation of liver enzymes in 2 patients who underwent cosmetic surgery who ultimately underwent extensive testing including liver biopsies and were similarly diagnosed with an adverse antibiotic reaction. So I beleive it does happen but is generally rare.

From your description it sounds like you had inflammation of the liver , Hepatitis. When the liver if inflammed its main product, bile, used in our digestion, does not empty properly into the intestine and ends up in the blood stream where it changes the color of skin, eyes and even urine to yellow/green. The duration of blockage will determine the intensity of color.

ANYTHING that causes swelling of the liver or the biliary ducts (IE inflammation of the pancreas) can give rise to this picture. MOST commonly it is caused by viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, D etc), by certain medication, by stones blocking the bile duct opening, by pancreatitis erc.

I have NEVER seen nor heard of a hepatitis caused by the actual surgical technique of a Tummy Tuck or a drain. It does not happen. When you recover you may want to be worked up for gall stones which may be the commonest explanation although a reaction to the anesthesia gas or any of the medication is possible but not as likely.

Dr. Peter A Aldea