Out of Town Tummy Tuck: How Many Follow-up Appointments?

I do surgery for out-of-town patients regularly, but only when follow-up is possible according to my recommendations. I see all tummy tuck patients the next morning to check for bleeding, suture line intactness, and circulation to the umbilicus and lower abdominal flap. If something needs to be done, right away is always better than a week later!

Most of my tummy tuck patients (especially those with liposuction as well) will have 1 or 2 drains. I leave them in for 1 week, or until drainage is less than an ounce per drain per day. Since the only removable sutures are 6 tiny ones around the belly button, they are taken out at 1 week, usually with drain removal. I like to check my patient a few days after the final drain is removed to make sure there is no accumulation of seroma or blood; if this is missed, a pseudobursa can form, requiring re-operation.

After that, patient follow-up can be via Skype, Google+ video chat, or digital photo and email or phone. If a patient is local, massage therapy and ultrasound treatments (6 included with no charge) are started as the patient's schedule permits. Late(r) rechecks are at 3-6 months, and 6-12 months, or as needed.

My patient care coordinator has all out-of-town patients scheduled in advance for anticipated rechecks, and I am always happy to add rechecks over the weekend or evenings if job or other requirements need a special schedule.

Please note this is different from surgical tourism, where out-of-country surgery is paid-for, done, and the patient returns home, hoping there is no complication, bleeding, infection, wound breakdown, or need for any follow-up. Otherwise, the hapless patient ends up asking a local plastic surgeon to fix someone else's problems, when the patient should have been close enough to the operating surgeon for proper care and post-op visits (which are part of the surgical fee paid)!

My best advice would be for you to ask your surgeon's patient coordinator or nurse to set up a detailed recheck schedule as much in advance as possible. If this seems too difficult to manage, consider that they may not be comfortable or used to dealing with patients who come from a distance. Then, find an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon who IS! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

A full tommy tuck is an involved procedure, especially when muscles need to be plicated. Our patients stay in our over-night facility for one night, and I recommend staying is the Savannah or Coastal Empire area for another 3-4 days, according to your age, speed of recovery, and the extent of the procedure. Many patients want and need a fair amount of liposuction of the sides and back as well. 

Once I know the patient is having a smooth recovery, she/he can return in one month and then every 3 months for a year, if the location makes such travel practical. Patients usually have questions for me as well regarding recovery, and that usually warrents a visit. Mainly, I just want to know the patient is safe and without complications following surgery.

Good luck with your procedure. Tummy tucks can be very gratifying.

     If you are 2.5 hours drive away, I would recommend staying at the surgeon's location at least for the first day or so (more days is always better).   Then you will likely need to return at least one more time for drain removal and assessment for fluid collections.  Most doctors would want to see you more than that, but patients from a distance usually only return if there is a problem.