No idea where to start looking for tummy tuck doctor - what questions should I ask & what are red flags?

Question

Hello, looking for a tummy tuck doctor, however have no idea where to start. I'm doing this journey alone since I don't want any judgments or anyone to try an talk me out of it. What are some questions to ask? What are red flags? How do I dig in to a doctors background? What are somethings I should keep in mind? Any additional advice?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

A useful place to start is with plastic surgeons who are board-certified or equivalently credentialed in your country, perform tummy tucks regularly, and operate in an accredited facility with appropriate anesthesia support. Look for before-and-after photos of patients with a body type similar to yours, not only the most dramatic results. Reviews can be helpful, but also check training, certification, facility accreditation, and whether the surgeon has experience with your specific anatomy and goals.

Helpful questions include: Am I a better candidate for full, mini, extended, or fleur-de-lis tummy tuck? Would I need muscle repair? Would liposuction be part of the plan, and where? Where would the scar and belly button sit? What are my individual risks? Who handles after-hours concerns? What is the plan for seroma, wound healing issues, or a possible revision? Ask to see typical results and scars at different healing stages.

Possible red flags include pressure to book quickly, vague answers about credentials or facility safety, no physical exam before recommending a procedure, promises that minimize scars or risks, poor follow-up planning, and prices that seem far outside the usual range. Since you are doing this privately, also plan transportation, help at home, meals, drain care if needed, and someone who can check on you during the first few days.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding how to start looking for a tummy tuck doctor and what to consider during your search. I completely understand the struggles that come with navigating this journey on your own, and I commend you for doing your due diligence and coming to RealSelf to get more information. It's important to approach this decision with careful consideration to ensure you choose a qualified and experienced surgeon who can provide safe and satisfying results.

Questions to Ask:

Are you board-certified in plastic surgery? Board certification ensures that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training and meets specific qualifications.
How many tummy tucks have you performed? Experience matters, especially for complex procedures like tummy tucks.
Can I see before and after photos of your previous tummy tuck patients? This helps you gauge the quality and consistency of the surgeon’s results.
What technique will you use for my tummy tuck? Understanding the approach can help set realistic expectations.
What can I expect during recovery? Knowing the recovery process helps in planning and preparation.
What are the risks and complications associated with a tummy tuck? A trustworthy surgeon will discuss potential risks openly.

Red Flags:

Lack of board certification in plastic surgery. Surgeons without this may not have undergone the extensive training necessary for cosmetic surgery procedures.
Unwillingness to show before and after photos. Transparency about past work is crucial.
Promises of unrealistic results. Be wary of surgeons who promise perfection or downplay the risks.
Pressure to make quick decisions. High-pressure sales tactics are inappropriate for medical decisions.
Negative reviews or malpractice suits. While one bad review doesn’t necessarily mean a surgeon isn’t good, a pattern of negative feedback should be taken seriously.

Digging into a Doctor’s Background:

Check their credentials through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Look up reviews and testimonials from previous patients.
Verify their hospital affiliations and whether they have privileges to perform cosmetic surgery.
Inquire about their standing with the state medical board to see if there have been any disciplinary actions.

Things to Keep in Mind:

Consider the location and the facility where the surgery will be performed.
Ensure that the surgery center is accredited by a recognized organization.
Discuss all costs upfront to avoid any hidden fees.

Feel comfortable with your surgeon; you should feel that they listen to and understand your goals.
Taking these steps will help you make an informed decision and choose a surgeon who is best suited to your needs and expectations.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Brian May, MD · Answer

Hello! Congratulations on beginning your journey! To find the best doctor for you, I would recommend looking for board-certified plastic surgeons in your areas that have before and afters that you like the look of on their website.
American Board of Plastic Surgery - You can search doctors on this website to make sure they are board certified in this specialty. The "plastic surgery" part is important here. You want your surgeon to be board certified in at least this specialty (instead of general surgery or dentistry).
Multiple Consultations - Even if you love your first doctor, I would recommend going to a maximum of 3 different consultations at different practices. You may notice that treatment plans look different and that you might vibe better with a different type of bedside manner. Plan to spend $100-200 on each of these consultations. I don't recommend more than 3 consultations, as the options can get overwhelming instead of helpful.
Online research is helpful, but there is a limit - Get educated on tummy tucks of all kinds and expected recovery. When you are 100% comfortable with the procedure, start calling specific practices and asking questions to their team directly.
As far as red flags, trust your gut. If you aren't 100% sure about a physician, continue your consultations until you find the right one for you.

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

This is a fantastic question. When searching for a tummy tuck surgeon, it's important to ask about their experience, qualifications, and approach to the procedure. Some questions to consider include:

How many tummy tuck procedures have you performed?
Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?
Can I see before and after photos of your tummy tuck patients?
What is your approach to patient care and safety during and after the surgery?
What are the potential risks and complications associated with tummy tuck surgery?
What type of anesthesia do you use, and who will administer it?
What is the recovery process like, and what kind of post-operative care do you provide?
Do you have hospital privileges, and where do you perform the surgery?
Can you provide references or patient testimonials?

Red flags to watch out for include:

Lack of board certification or relevant training in plastic surgery.
Unwillingness to provide before and after photos or discuss potential risks.
Pressure to undergo additional procedures or upselling of unnecessary services.
Poor communication or bedside manner during the consultation.
Use of outdated or unsafe surgical techniques.
To research a doctor's background, you can check their credentials and board certification through official medical websites or directories. Look for reviews and testimonials from previous patients, and consider scheduling consultations with multiple surgeons to compare their recommendations and comfort level. Ultimately, trust your instincts and choose a surgeon who makes you feel confident and well-informed about your decision.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question, 
When looking for a Plastic Surgeon, it's crucial to find a qualified and experienced surgeon to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Here are some questions you may want to ask when selecting a doctor for your tummy tuck:
Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?
What is your educational background and training in plastic surgery?
How many years of experience do you have in performing tummy tucks?
Can you provide before-and-after photos of previous tummy tuck patients?

It's essential to have open and honest communication with your potential surgeon to ensure you feel comfortable and well-informed about the procedure,

Sincerly, 
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Tummy tucks are usually performed after pregnancy or massive weight loss.  The extra skin, fatty tissue is removed and often the muscle is tightened.  
Credentials for abdominoplasty should include board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and surgery performed in an accredited facility; both are important for patient safety.  Surgeons need to get a detailed medical/surgical history, answered one's questions, show accurate representation of their before and after photos and make the patient feel comfortable.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concern, and you are wise to be selective with regard to choosing a plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck operation. First off, be certain that the doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. If you check the website of, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, theaestheticsociety.org youwill find a listing of board certified plastic surgeons in your area. Check out before and after photos but more importantly, interview your doctor with regard to experience and number of tummytucks performed. In my opinion, a plastic surgeon with lots of experience brings significant expertise and the best possible result. Come see me or another board-certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

You need to feel comfortable with your prospective plastic surgeon. It’s not only the surgery but the after care and relationship. We follow our patients for a minimum one year and beyond.

Go on some consultations, many offer free ones. Can look for members of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ADAPS) and/or American Society of Olastic Surgeons (ASPS), preferably Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.

Exam will confirm you are a candidate for a tummy tuck as well as where surgery is performed, post operative care, etc.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

For the majority of American Board of Plastic Surgery certified doctors, the tummy tuck is a bread and butter operation, even if their practices are not just cosmetically centered. However, there have been a lot of advancements that make tummy tuck results better than they were just 20 years ago. Here are a few highlights: 1. Using progressive tension sutures (PTS). These allow optimum tightening of the skin and simultaneously eliminate the need for drains. Any surgeon who says you need a drain for a tummy tuck is stuck in the early 2000's. 2. Using liposuction to reduce the fat load and/or sculpt the abdomen. Any surgeon who says it's dangerous to perform liposuction of the abdomen (or any other body part) and also perform a tummy tuck is also not keeping up with modern scientifically proven techniques. 3. Using anticoagulants after surgery to protect the patients from deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE). Tummy tucks have been raised to the next level in aesthetic precision, and this increases operative time to an operation that already has a higher than average rate of these dangerous complications (1/5000 for DVT, 1/10000 for PE). The use of specific heparin fragment anticoagulants like Fondaparinux after surgery for up to 5 days reduces that risk to virtually zero without increasing the risk of significant bleeding. 4. Scar placement. This one may be a little difficult to understand, but it has to do with the belly button and how much 'extra skin' a prospective patient has. There has been a persistent and erroneous belief that the hole created while separating the skin of the abdomen from the belly button needs to be removed in order to prevent another scar in addition to the long transverse incision, the hallmark of a tummy tuck. This belief is the basis for tummy tuck incisions being too high, the creation of the 'floating belly button' tummy tuck, the use of a 'mini tuck' when a full tuck was necessary, or patients being told they aren't candidates for a tummy tuck. It's all wrong thinking and leaves patients with the wrong operation or a scar that is unaesthetically too high. Instead, the hole should virtually be ignored and the placement of the long scar should be very, very low. This leads to a scar that sits in the conceptual border between the belly, and pubis centrally, and the belly and thigh laterally. The hole is simply closed vertically, and becomes visually difficult to see. The choice is simple: either have a long scar that's too high and will forever be visible, or placement of the long scar low (where it virtually disappears, even when naked) and a small midline vertical scar that can be seen in public with notice.  OK, there you go with the talking points. Go find some surgeons to consult with!

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I'd suggest learning more about the procedure itself, since there are several variations: whether your muscles are tightened, length of the incision, whether a drain is inserted, amount of tissue removed with a mini vs full tummy tuck etc.   Websites such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons can be helpful.  When researching a physician there should be online information about their credentials posted by their regulatory body.  I am personally from Ontario, Canada, so I don't know the exact New York system, but our regulatory body posts physician disciplinary actions so you can learn if the surgeon had many prior complaints.   You can also learn about their years of experience.  From there, the physician's own website will often have information about their practice patterns.  For example, if they mainly do facial cosmetic surgery, they might not be your first choice for a tummy tuck.  Lastly, websites like RealSelf, RateMDs, Google etc will have posted reviews, and this will provide insight about other patients' experience.  I hope this helps.

No idea where to start looking for tummy tuck doctor - what questions should I ask & what are red flags?

Answers (17)

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