Can the Medical Assistant Place the Sutures of the Outer Skin After ATummy Tuck?

Some plastic surgeons may have their assistants (nurse or physician assistants) close the skin under their supervision if they trust their assistants' skill.  However, if you do not feel comfortable with a medical assistant closing your skin, you should talk with your plastic surgeon and share your concerns of scars.  If you request, your surgeon should close the skin for you.

Whether your surgeon is comfortable with his medical or surgical assistant closing the skin of your abdominoplasty depends on the experience and technical skills of the assistant.  Some who are very experienced can probably do just a good a job as the plastic surgeon, but not always.  This is something you can and should discuss with your plastic surgeon.  If you are not comfortable with his assistant doing the closure and he/she is not willing to complete the skin closure at your request, then you might consider looking around for another plastic surgeon.

The closure of the incision is part of the surgery and most surgeons close their incisions. . If your surgeon trusts his assistant to do a good job and stands behind his assistants closure, then you should be fine.