Safe to Do Tummy Tuck and Gallbladder Surgery at Same Time?

Question

i am sxhedule for a tummy tuck but may also need gallbladder surgery is this safe to do both, should i choose one over the other? which one should i have first?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can perform a tummy tuck and a gallbladder removal surgery simultaneously. Plastic surgeons get this question all the time. The consensus is no; you should not combine a gallbladder removal surgery with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Combining the surgeries increases the anesthesia time and increases the risk of complications. In addition, if you have a cholecystectomy and an abdominoplasty at the same time and you develop post-operative complications, it may be challenging to separate complications due to the gallbladder removal or the abdominoplasty. If you develop pain in your right upper quadrant, it is due to your gallbladder surgery or your tummy tuck surgery. If it's due to your tummy tuck surgery, we suggest further narcotics. If it's due to gallbladder complications, you may require more invasive work, including a CT scan or reoperation. Therefore, I would highly suggest you have these procedures staged. In addition, I would do the medically necessary procedure first, the removal of the gallbladder. Therefore, I vote to have the gallbladder surgery done first, wait 4-6 months, then consider an abdominoplasty. Good luck. I hope I've answered your question regarding whether you can simultaneously have a tummy tuck and gallbladder removal. 
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Jonathan Fisher, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck is a prosedure that takes form 6-8 month to fully recover, if the Gallbladder surgery is a must, you should do that one first. Keep in mind your priorities but no you should not try to do such disticnt surgeries on the same day.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	This is not in your best interests, although it may seem attractive to you at first blush...

	Have your gallbladder out, recover, and THEN schedule your tummy tuck. You'll eventually be glad you paced yourself.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

If there is any chance that your gall bladder has an infection then it would be best to do the gall bladder first and allow for complete healing before doing the abdominoplasty.  Good luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

I have done this a few times with general surgeons. I open the abdominal skin flap first than the general surgeon does the lap chole. through the abdominal muscles. Finaly a repair the muscles and excise the extra skin fat. Long recovery almost double.

	From MIAMI DR. B

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Safe to Do Tummy Tuck and Gallbladder Surgery at Same Time?

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