I’m thinking of getting a tummy tuck with no drains and under local anesthesia. Are blood clot risks reduced with local vs. gen? I’m really scared of getting blood clots.
Answer: Tummy Tuck Local Anesthesia Thank you for your question. A traditional tummy tuck should be performed under general anesthesia to adequately address the concern of excess skin, muscle relaxation and placement of the belly button. Alternative techniques are available for lesser cosmetic corrections. Those can be addressed with sedation and tumescent anesthesia techniques. In general; there is a greater risk of DVT with general anesthesia and longer procedures. Body mass index is an important measurement of risk for blood clots. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will help in determining your risk and best ways to prevent blood clots. Best wishes!
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Answer: Tummy Tuck Local Anesthesia Thank you for your question. A traditional tummy tuck should be performed under general anesthesia to adequately address the concern of excess skin, muscle relaxation and placement of the belly button. Alternative techniques are available for lesser cosmetic corrections. Those can be addressed with sedation and tumescent anesthesia techniques. In general; there is a greater risk of DVT with general anesthesia and longer procedures. Body mass index is an important measurement of risk for blood clots. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will help in determining your risk and best ways to prevent blood clots. Best wishes!
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Answer: Tummy tuck with local anesthesia and without drains Although a tummy tuck could possibly be done under local (tumescent) anesthesia with iv sedation (twilight anesthesia), I doubt anyone would perform this surgery just under straight local without sedation. The usual technique is with general anesthesia, but I have done this under iv sedation and tumescent. With the use of quilting stitches to close off space below the skin flap, drains are not necessary. The risk of blood clots is related to any pre-existing risk factors such as your weight, past history of blood clots, and the length of the surgery. If you are obese, I would consider using a blood thinner as a precaution in addition to stockings that pump up and down to keep blood flow moving normally in the legs.
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Answer: Tummy tuck with local anesthesia and without drains Although a tummy tuck could possibly be done under local (tumescent) anesthesia with iv sedation (twilight anesthesia), I doubt anyone would perform this surgery just under straight local without sedation. The usual technique is with general anesthesia, but I have done this under iv sedation and tumescent. With the use of quilting stitches to close off space below the skin flap, drains are not necessary. The risk of blood clots is related to any pre-existing risk factors such as your weight, past history of blood clots, and the length of the surgery. If you are obese, I would consider using a blood thinner as a precaution in addition to stockings that pump up and down to keep blood flow moving normally in the legs.
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September 14, 2018
Answer: Be very afraid You are very unlikely going to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon if you plan on having it done under local anesthesia. The drain use is not big concern and can be done with our without. Blood clots are EXTREMELY rare. I have never seen one in 22 years and 12,000 cases. Most importantly, go to someone highly trained who is Board Certified and NOT in cosmetic surgery. Go to a real Plastic Surgeon.
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September 14, 2018
Answer: Be very afraid You are very unlikely going to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon if you plan on having it done under local anesthesia. The drain use is not big concern and can be done with our without. Blood clots are EXTREMELY rare. I have never seen one in 22 years and 12,000 cases. Most importantly, go to someone highly trained who is Board Certified and NOT in cosmetic surgery. Go to a real Plastic Surgeon.
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September 10, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck under local not recommended A full, formal tummy tuck with muscle tightening is NOT recommended under only local. Tummy tuck should be respected as a big surgery and performed safely with full anesthesia for best results.Proper patient selection, scd, fluids, etc and early post op walking will keep blood clot risk low.Use of drains or not depends upon the surgeon's technique and should not have any bearing on anesthesia.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.
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September 10, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck under local not recommended A full, formal tummy tuck with muscle tightening is NOT recommended under only local. Tummy tuck should be respected as a big surgery and performed safely with full anesthesia for best results.Proper patient selection, scd, fluids, etc and early post op walking will keep blood clot risk low.Use of drains or not depends upon the surgeon's technique and should not have any bearing on anesthesia.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.
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September 9, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck with no drains and under local anesthesia? Although the TT can be performed under local anesthesia, this procedure can be extraordinarily painful for the patient. The patient's pain threshold and anxiety level should be taken into consideration. You want the most dramatic transformation possible, and you also do not want to be in pain during the procedure so that the surgeon must stop the procedure or do less than what is necessary. If you move or tighten your abdominal muscles, you may compromise results.Blood clots after TT are not common. Blood clots that lead to pulmonary embolus are even more uncommon. However, if you have more than one risk factor for blood clots other than having a TT surgery, you may need Lovenox or something similar. Your plastic surgeon should be familiar with the Caprini assessment, and he or she should be able to determine if this is indicated.Leave the decision regarding drains to your PS, as he/she will determine what is appropriate for you based upon his/her experience, education, training, and personal preferences. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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September 9, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck with no drains and under local anesthesia? Although the TT can be performed under local anesthesia, this procedure can be extraordinarily painful for the patient. The patient's pain threshold and anxiety level should be taken into consideration. You want the most dramatic transformation possible, and you also do not want to be in pain during the procedure so that the surgeon must stop the procedure or do less than what is necessary. If you move or tighten your abdominal muscles, you may compromise results.Blood clots after TT are not common. Blood clots that lead to pulmonary embolus are even more uncommon. However, if you have more than one risk factor for blood clots other than having a TT surgery, you may need Lovenox or something similar. Your plastic surgeon should be familiar with the Caprini assessment, and he or she should be able to determine if this is indicated.Leave the decision regarding drains to your PS, as he/she will determine what is appropriate for you based upon his/her experience, education, training, and personal preferences. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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September 8, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck Thank you for your question. I do not recommend having a tummy tuck done under local anesthesia. After having any surgical procedure you do have a risk of blood clots. I would recommend having an in person consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you and make a recommendation. Best of luck to you.
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September 8, 2018
Answer: Tummy tuck Thank you for your question. I do not recommend having a tummy tuck done under local anesthesia. After having any surgical procedure you do have a risk of blood clots. I would recommend having an in person consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate you and make a recommendation. Best of luck to you.
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