Would a tummy tuck affect a future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries? (Photo)

Question

Hello! I plan on having a tummy tuck with DR repair next year. I’ve had a couple gall bladder attacks in my life ( one of them I didn’t eat for three days and had a fever of 102). I’m healthier now and haven’t had a full attack, but my RUQ does have a dull ache at times. Makes me wonder about how a tummy tuck would affect things if I needed to have my gall bladder out one day. Also, how does it affect other abdominal surgeries? What if I had a ruptured appendix or sustained abdominal injury in a car wreck? Thanks!!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question about what is the impact of a tummy tuck on future gallbladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries.  Thank you for your history and your picture.  Thank you for your interesting question.  If you are having frequent gallbladder issues, I suggest you consult with a general surgeon.  You and your general surgeon should decide on either an elective removal.   Most general surgeons suggest you postpone the surgery gallbladder surgery until you develop symptoms.  Like any surgery, gall bladder surgery does have risks.  Likewise gall gallstone pain, an infected gallbladder, and gallbladder rupture are complications that can be avoided or minimized with gallbladder removal.  During an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), the rectus abdominis muscle is sutured from the sternum to the pubic region.  This maneuver tightens the core of the abdomen and correct rectus diastasis or diastasis recti.  Muscle tightening increases the abdominal core tone and provides a structural foundation to the entire abdominal region.  The rectus muscle tightening constricts the anterior abdominal cavity.  The abdominal cavity is called the peritoneal cavity.  The peritoneal cavity is the cavity that houses your visceral organs, such as your liver, gallbladder, small bowel, and appendix.  During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), multiple trocars are placed inside the peritoneal cavity.  The perineal cavity is then inflated to allow visualization of the gallbladder.  During the inflation of the peritoneal cavity, it may be more difficult to inflate the peritoneal cavity if the rectus muscle has been tightened during a tummy tuck.  
In addition, many general surgeons can remove the appendix with a laparoscopic appendectomy.  However, most general surgeons would not suggest an elective appendectomy.  During abdominal surgery after a car wreck or motor vehicle accident usually laparoscopic procedures are usually not involved.  Usually, an incision is made from the sternum to the pubic region.  This is called an exploratory laparotomy.  For the general surgeon or trauma surgeon to perform an exploratory laparotomy, several minutes would be required to cut the sutures that were used to repair the rectus muscle.  However, it would not be difficult; it would just delay the emergency surgery.  What would concern most plastic surgeons is if you were having recurrent gallbladder symptoms and, in the postoperative period, you developed a gallbladder attack.  As you know, this would cause abdominal pain.  It may be difficult to diagnose whether you are having gallbladder pain or pain associated with your tummy tuck.  Therefore, as mentioned before, most plastic surgeons would suggest you consult with a general surgeon about your gallbladder concerning elective removal before your tummy tuck.  All in all, millions of tummy tucks have been performed in patients with a history of cholecystitis or gallbladder issues and an intact appendix.  In addition, almost all patients do not undergo elective cholecystectomy and appendectomy before undergoing an abdominoplasty, unless symptoms are severe.  Good luck.  I hope I’ve answered your question regarding the impact of a tummy tuck on future gallbladder surgery and other abdominal surgery.  If you have any more questions regarding tummy tucks, abdominoplasties, or abdominal liposuction, contact an experienced plastic surgeon.  Since the tummy tuck surgery is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing tummy tucks.  Do your research.   If you cannot find an experienced tummy tuck plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS. ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgery, American College of surgery, and International College of surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A tummy tuck targets muscles, fat and skin, so there should be no impact on future gall bladder surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear   16huck,

based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. It won't affect your future abdominal surgeries. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Having an abdominoplasty should not affect your ability to have future abdominal procedures. The reverse is sometimes true. The presence of large scars on the abdomen may make a procedure such as a tummy tuck more challenging.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Having a tummy tuck will not interfere with your ability to have future successful gallbladder surgery or other surgeries.  Future surgeries may impact your tummy tuck results as they may require incisions on the abdomen, but the future surgery itself will not be impacted by your tummy tuck.

Would a tummy tuck affect a future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries? (Photo)

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Answer: Future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries

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Answer: Tummy tuck and future surgeries

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Would a tummy tuck affect a future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries

Answer: Future gall bladder surgery or other abdominal surgeries

Answer: Tummy tuck and future surgeries

Answer: Tummy tuck and future surgeries

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