Hello, I will be having surgery on 8/2/12, I'm concerned about the time my PS said I would be under 7.5 hours. He will be performing a tummy tuck with lipo to the tummy, lipo to the back and flanks, BA and BL. My lungs are a bit of a problem, I have a lot of scarring and have been under supervision from my pulmonary dr. it has taken him one year to clear this surgery. I will be having my procedure done in a hospital and will spend one night there after the surgery.
Answer: Plastic surgery with health problems
It sounds like you have significant lung problems. You should discuss this with a Pulmonologist. My guess is that it would be safest to break up your goals into two smaller procedures. Also, sometimes just a tummy tuck can tighten the tummy enough to make it more difficult to breath (it raises the diaphragm). Be prepared.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Plastic surgery with health problems
It sounds like you have significant lung problems. You should discuss this with a Pulmonologist. My guess is that it would be safest to break up your goals into two smaller procedures. Also, sometimes just a tummy tuck can tighten the tummy enough to make it more difficult to breath (it raises the diaphragm). Be prepared.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Safety is top priority! The combination of tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast lift and liposuction can be performed in a single setting. When these operations are performed together safety has to be every ones first priority. Your history of pulmonary problems and an estimated surgical time of over 7.5 hours is troubling. Under these circumstances, it might be appropriate to modify the surgical approach. Either utilizing a surgical team to shorten the intro-operative time or performing multiple smaller procedures may be more appropriate. We believe that the length of the procedure should never exceed four to six hours. Complications from surgery increase significantly when these numbers are exceeded. An experienced surgeon and surgical team that focuses on efficiency can minimize the length of the surgical procedure. We often use another surgeon as a first assistant to help with the process. The advantages of this approach are obvious and include improved synergy and harmony which improves the overall aesthetic result. Patients experience one recovery rather than multiple recoveries and they potentially save money when these procedures are done in combination. Combination surgery isn’t for everyone. Some patients like yourself have coexisting health problems which may prevent this approach. Meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon will help sort this out and help formulate the best treatment plan for you. In some cases, it may not be appropriate to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Helpful
Answer: Safety is top priority! The combination of tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast lift and liposuction can be performed in a single setting. When these operations are performed together safety has to be every ones first priority. Your history of pulmonary problems and an estimated surgical time of over 7.5 hours is troubling. Under these circumstances, it might be appropriate to modify the surgical approach. Either utilizing a surgical team to shorten the intro-operative time or performing multiple smaller procedures may be more appropriate. We believe that the length of the procedure should never exceed four to six hours. Complications from surgery increase significantly when these numbers are exceeded. An experienced surgeon and surgical team that focuses on efficiency can minimize the length of the surgical procedure. We often use another surgeon as a first assistant to help with the process. The advantages of this approach are obvious and include improved synergy and harmony which improves the overall aesthetic result. Patients experience one recovery rather than multiple recoveries and they potentially save money when these procedures are done in combination. Combination surgery isn’t for everyone. Some patients like yourself have coexisting health problems which may prevent this approach. Meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon will help sort this out and help formulate the best treatment plan for you. In some cases, it may not be appropriate to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Helpful
July 23, 2012
Answer: Pulmonary Problems And Cosmetic Surgery
7-1/2 hours for a young, healthy person to have the surgeries you are having sounds just about right to me. Unfortunately, Murphy's Law even applies to cosmetic surgery at times. I think your question is a good one to ask, and my recommendation is you give yourself a break, do the most important surgery first, maybe abdominoplasty and liposuction, recover for 6 months, and if all went great, go ahead and do the second surgery. You didn't get all that loose skin and fat in one day, therefore you don't have to get rid of it all in one day.
Helpful
July 23, 2012
Answer: Pulmonary Problems And Cosmetic Surgery
7-1/2 hours for a young, healthy person to have the surgeries you are having sounds just about right to me. Unfortunately, Murphy's Law even applies to cosmetic surgery at times. I think your question is a good one to ask, and my recommendation is you give yourself a break, do the most important surgery first, maybe abdominoplasty and liposuction, recover for 6 months, and if all went great, go ahead and do the second surgery. You didn't get all that loose skin and fat in one day, therefore you don't have to get rid of it all in one day.
Helpful
September 1, 2015
Answer: Clearance for surgery
As long as you're cleared by the appropriate doctors, you should be okay. However, if you have any concerns you may want to think about dividing your surgeries up into 2-3 sessions instead of one big one.
Helpful
September 1, 2015
Answer: Clearance for surgery
As long as you're cleared by the appropriate doctors, you should be okay. However, if you have any concerns you may want to think about dividing your surgeries up into 2-3 sessions instead of one big one.
Helpful
August 11, 2012
Answer: Safety of anesthesia
I am concerned about your pulmonary history. I generally tell patients that if they are asking whether their medical problems allow cosmetic surgery to still be safe, they need to seriously consider the risk to benefits of a procedure.
Without knowing your exact condition and severity, I cannot make recommendations to whether your procedure is appropriate or needs to be shortened. I ask that you visit carefully with your physicians and even get a 2nd opinion to ensure that you are making the best decision.
I wish you a safe and healthy recovery.
Dr. Gill
Helpful
August 11, 2012
Answer: Safety of anesthesia
I am concerned about your pulmonary history. I generally tell patients that if they are asking whether their medical problems allow cosmetic surgery to still be safe, they need to seriously consider the risk to benefits of a procedure.
Without knowing your exact condition and severity, I cannot make recommendations to whether your procedure is appropriate or needs to be shortened. I ask that you visit carefully with your physicians and even get a 2nd opinion to ensure that you are making the best decision.
I wish you a safe and healthy recovery.
Dr. Gill
Helpful