What organs can you see during tummy tuck? Does finding terminal illness happen?

Hello Isalu82. Thank you for your question regarding the visibility of organs during a tummy tuck and the possibility of incidental findings.

During a tummy tuck, the focus is primarily on the skin, fat, and muscles of the abdominal wall. The surgeon does not typically see or directly interact with internal organs such as the liver, stomach, intestines, or other abdominal organs. The procedure involves lifting the skin and fat off the abdominal muscles to tighten the muscles and remove excess skin and fat.

As for the concern about discovering a terminal illness during surgery, this is very rare. Most serious conditions affecting internal organs, like cirrhosis, are diagnosed through specific medical tests and imaging studies, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs, rather than during a cosmetic surgery. Given that your labs are normal and you’ve had an ultrasound, it’s unlikely that a tummy tuck would reveal any unknown terminal illness.

If you have significant health anxiety, it may be beneficial to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They can provide support and help you manage your anxiety before undergoing any surgery.

Good luck, and I hope this helps to answer your question regarding incidental findings during a tummy tuck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Thanks for your question! Your organs will not be exposed during this procedure so this shouldn't be a concern of yours. I would suggest talking with a surgeon in person to put your mind at ease!

Thank you for question! During a tummy tuck, we are not able to see internal organs. We tunnel under your skin but staying above the fascia just enough to repair the muscles and stretch the skin to close the incision. It always best to meet with your plastic surgeon to discuss all your concerns and goals!