Can I get a tummy tuck with arthritis to the spine and two bulging disc sciatica and degenerative bone disease?

Hello. Great question. Based on your description, you can be a candidate for a tummy tuck. However, you need to have medical clearance by your physicians in order for a board certified plastic surgeon to proceed with your procedure.

Arthritis and other spinal conditions are ok to have a tummy tuck provided post op posturing are not an issue.Usually, you will be flexed at the waist for several days afterward, which may or may not temporarily aggravate your symptoms. Clearance from your spine physician would be helpful preop.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to further discuss your options and expectations. 

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Assuming you are otherwise a good candidate, and your spine surgeon clears you, there should not be a reason you can not pursue a tummy tuck procedure.  Hope this helps.

You may be hunched over for a week or two and not being able to use your abdominal muscles for 6-8 weeks. All that may put a strain on your back. If you have your medical doctor’s (or spine surgeon’s) approval then it can be safe. Some patients consider using a walker for a week or so to take pressure off the low back when they walk. 

Hello and thank you for your question.  Positioning during and after surgery requires flexing at the waist.  If your spine specialist clears you to be in that position, then you should still be able to undergo an abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck).  If you were my patient, I would want to have a detailed conversation with your spine specialist/surgeon/PCP first though to make sure everyone understands the degrees of flexion at the waist and the amount of time postoperatively that I anticipate you'd be in that position... Be
sure to seek a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon
who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and be sure he/she addresses all
your concerns about an abdominoplasty and discusses the surgery details
including the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and
post-operative course.  In terms of the abdominoplasty itself, the
necessary skin and fat is removed, the abdominal muscles are plicated
(tightened), a small umbilical incision is made that is not externally visible
(to give you an "innie" belly button), and a short, low waistline
incision is designed to be easily hidden by your underwear or bikini. 
Please view plenty of before-and-after pictures in real patients (and not just
computer-generated images) who have a similar abdominal appearance to
yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out,
etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.  And lastly, I
think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good
connection with your plastic surgeon.  If you don’t feel you have a good
connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be
the best surgeon for you.
For further information on tummy tucks,
please refer to the link below.
Good luck.
Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS
Harvard-trained
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Dear Virtuous72,As long as your spine is stable (which it should be), having arthritis and degenerative disease is not a contraindication for a tummy tuck.Best regards,Nirmal R. Nathan, M.D.

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Real Self Hall of Fame

Dear Virtuous72,
you might need a clearance from your doctor, but your conditions are not a contraindication for tummy tuck surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It is possible for you to undergo a tummy tuck with the medical conditions you have, but you will first want to get clearance from your orthopedist.  Explain to him/her your desire for elective plastic surgery.  If cleared you can proceed with a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

Thank you for your question. TT can be done provided you get a clearance from your Spine physician. Co ordinating care from other physicians while recovering from TT will help. Please consult with a board certified PS for evaluation.

Thank you for the question.
 Tummy tuck procedures can be done safely for patients with a variety of different “medical conditions”. Careful evaluation and treatment of the medical condition is necessary prior to determining the appropriate candidates for the tummy tuck procedure.  In your case this would be best done by your spine doctor or surgeon.  The physicians who know your situation best would be best suited  to discuss your suitability for the procedure and the potentially increased risks/ complications that you should consider.
 
Also, please make sure you are seeking consultation with  well experienced board-certified  plastic surgeons who preferably work with board-certified anesthesiologists.
I hope this helps.  Best wishes.