Can I have a tummy tuck after having gallbladder surgery?

Question

If I can get a tummy tuck after having gallbladder surgery and how long should I wait to get a tummy tuck? I am supposed to have laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hi, I would recommend speaking to your general surgeon (who did the gallbladder operation) and your plastic surgeon to get the best advice.   In general it is best to wait until you feel completely recovered and the abdomen is no longer swollen or symptomatic before considering more surgery, but the exact timing will be up to your doctors.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Typically you would be advised to allow enough time between surgeries that you are fully healed with no inflammation/pain etc. I recommend that you discuss this with your chosen Surgeons and let them advise you.All the best

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your concern.  Waiting 3-6 months would be advisable, but you would need clearance from your general surgeon before proceeding with more surgery.T

Mark A. Brzezienski, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you are having an endoscopic surgery, your abdominoplasty can be performed with the same level of risk that you would have had if you did not have your gallbladder removed.  In the past, gallbladders were removed through long oblique incisions below the ribs in the upper right portion of the abdomen. This INCISION could impact the blood supply of the abdominal skin and lead to an increased risk of wound healing problems after abdominoplasty.  With the poke-type incisions from an endoscopic cholecystectomy, there is no impact on the blood supply of the abdominal wall.  You would, of course, want to heal from your gallbladder operation before the abdominoplasty.  I would tell you to wait three months. That's a standard answer for typical healing time.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Yes, assuming you are a good candidate for surgery, you should be able to proceed. Timing is best discussed with the surgeons involved with your care. They will know how you are doing (and whether or not you have experience any complications).Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight. Keep in mind, that it is a major operation, associated with a significant physical (and often emotional) recovery period. Having enough help/support at home for yourself and any dependents will be important part of the planning process.

You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes you can have TT after gall bladder surgery. I usually recommend them to wait completely heal from surgery before TT. It may varies and and on average about 3 months.

J. Michael Morrissey, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Thank you for the question. Yes, a tummy tuck can be done safely after gall bladder surgery. The laparoscopic approach to gall bladder surgery has made the surgery and recovery much easier than in the old days of a long incision under your right ribs that hurt every time you took a deep breath. As for timing of the surgery, if your gall bladder surgery recovery is uneventful, a tummy tuck can be performed safely 4-6 months afterwards. If you a certain about having a tummy tuck, you may ask your surgeon to avoid placing a port in the belly button. This will help your post tummy tuck results.Best Wishes,Michael Morrissey,MD

Can I have a tummy tuck after having gallbladder surgery?

Answers (7)

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