Can having psoriasis affect getting a tummy tuck?

Question

I have itchy flaky spots in my belly area from psoriasis. They usually go away for a short period of time with medication, but always come back. I'm worried if this will affect in any way getting a tummy tuck???

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Prior to elective surgery, patients need to optimize their underlying medical conditions.  Active infections would postpone surgery. Depending on the exact location of the psoriasis, your dermatologist and plastic surgeon can determine if abdominoplasty is appropriate.   Risks and benefits should be discussed at consultation.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concern but your skin condition should not affect your desire to have Tummytuck. Check with your dermatologist first. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good Luck!

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  I have performed tummy tucks on patients with psoriasis who have done well.  The key is to have close communication with the medical physician who treats your psoriasis.  As long as your medication regimen is stable and you do not have any skin outbreaks at the time of surgery, it is okay to have a tummy tuck.  If you are an appropriate candidate for a tummy tuck, this can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

Psoriasis can result in skin changes that are inflammatory. Ideally, we like to see skin that is as healthy as possible at the time of surgery to optimize the healing and the scarring with a tummy tuck. Some medications that patients use to treat psoriasis may also have a negative effect on normal healing. With that said, I have had several patients with very significant psoriasis that have had excellent results after abdominoplasty and without any issues. It is certainly something that your surgeon will want to know about fully before planning your procedure. But it should not be an absolute contra-indication for the surgery.

Michael Hueneke, MD (retired) · Answer

I actually just operated on somebody this week with psoriasis. At her preoperative visit she had a significant breakout over her entire body. With medication, it subsided and she had an uneventful surgery. You would not want to have any active places or open sores on your body at the time of your surgery. It should be fairly easy to time your medication with your surgery.

Can having psoriasis affect getting a tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

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