Plastic Surgeon or General Surgeon For A Tummy Tuck?

While it may sound biased coming from a plastic surgeon, but to me it's so simple.  A plastic surgeon should perform a plastic surgery procedure.  As a plastic surgeon I am probably not the right person to take out an appendix no matter how simple it may seem.  A general surgeon should not be doing a tummy tuck no matter how simple it may seem to him/her.  It's the finer details, that you learn about during a plastic surgery training, that make all the difference in the quality and safety of your outcome.

It's a no-brainer

Congratulations on your weight loss.  Now it is time to get rid of the extra tissue.  For abdominoplasty, best to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon.  Veiw photos, and ask how many of these does he/she do.  Like any technique, there are little things that can make a big difference. 

If you are getting plastic surgery, then clearly your surgeon should be a plastic surgeon. From the other responses, it seems that a consensus has been reached.

I would recommend getting your tummy tuck performed by a Board certified Plastic surgeon.
Best of luck!

Weight loss surgery and tummy tuck surgery are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT surgeries.  Just because a surgeon is great at one, does not mean he or she'll be great at the other.  For hernia repairs, a board certified general surgeon is a great choice. For tummy tucks or other cosmetic procedures, I would strongly advise you to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.  

I do lots of tummy tucks on massive weight loss patients, and if they have a large hernia, I ask a general surgeon to work with me ... he repairs the hernia (his specialty), and I do the tummy tuck (my specialty). I hope that helps and wish you all the best!!

With the selection of any surgeon, you will need to ensure that the surgeon has requisite skill and expertise in the procedure you wish. Consult with 3 - 4 experienced surgeons to find the right fit. Compare the before and after photos of the surgeons on both technical skill and artistic talent. The surgeon you choose should be experienced and expert in the tummy tuck procedure and understands your objectives.

I would certainly recommend a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. To put it in layman's terms I will use a current example in my life.  I am currently building a house, I have a general contractor who oversees the work, he is certainly knowledgeable about building houses and could if he wanted complete the plumbing and electrical in my house, he would probably do an OK job, but this is my house that I will sleep in every night, I will use a Master Plumber to run my pipes and a Master Electrician to run my electrical, it may cost a little more but they have spent a few extra years learning the ins and outs of their trade and will stand behind their work and I will be able to sleep sound at night. A GS could do it, but I would want someone who does nothing but plastic's type work and has spent many years of his life training to give you the best results possible. Good luck!

Board certified plastic surgeons have training specifically in procedures such as the abdominoplasty.  Most of us are fully trained in general surgery first and then continue on for an additional two years of training devoted solely to plastic surgery.  I would not presume to perform bariatric surgery, even though I completed a general surgery residency. There is a big difference between a hernia operation, which takes less than 30 minutes and is the first case that a surgical intern is taught to perform, and the full abdominoplasty.  I recommend that you undergo surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon.  Perhaps your bariatric surgeon could recommend someone (other than himself!).  Best of luck!

While a general surgeon is a very well trained and educated physician, plastic surgeons are specifically trained to perform this procedure. In addition, there are a number of alternative procedures with massive weight loss patients than plastic surgeons are pioneering at this time.

While a good bariatric surgeon might be a good surgeon, abdominoplasty involves more than just cutting and sewing. There are many variations of the surgery, with and without liposuction, that must be customized for each patient. Only plastic surgeons should be doing the tummy tuck procedures, just like only general surgeons should be doing the weight loss surgery.

 

Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D.