Tummy Tuck After Donating a Kidney

No, the scar that is 5 years old in fact will strengthen the tummy tuck blood supply.  I've done this often with old gallbladder scars and they move considerably with the surgery but they don't really seem to alter the cosmetic result other than if the scar is unable to be removed you can see it.

The concern with the kidney incision is the compromise of the blood supply and the skin of the lower abdomen may die. However, modifications such as a midi abdominoplasty can be performed. In fact in the video in the link below at 1:30 is a patient with a prior nephrectomy who underwent a modified tummy tuck;.

It really depends where the incision is located. However, with the current advances in cosmetic surgery often this is not a problem.  The newer techniques, from ted Lockwood, spares much of the blood supply in a tummy tuck.  This results in a much healtier tissue and better healing. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon, he will discuss this in detail.

Previous abdominal incisisons such as a kidney donation or a open cholecystectomy are not a contraindication for tummy tuck surgery.  They will, however, make the surgery slightly more challenging for your surgeon, and he will have to plan accordingly.

The incision from your previous surgery will need to be considered when planning the surgery, but will not prevent you from having the surgery.  I have had a few patients with same circumstance as you and they have had beautiful results.  Good luck.

Congratulations on donating a kidney to your father and giving him the greatest gift.

We routinely perform tummy tuck surgery on patients with received previous surgeries. You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck but the only way to know for sure is to receive a in person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon was a great deal of experience and tummy tucks, liposuction, and body contouring.
When performing body contouring in a patient that has had abdominal or retroperitoneal surgery, it is vital to assess the tissue in person and evaluate the location and character of the scars. Typically, kidney donation is done through an incision through the patient's flank. Your plastic surgeon will need to evaluate the location of this incision and determine what structures may have been altered during your kidney donation. The best way to help your plastic surgeon is to try to obtain the operative report of your kidney donation and bring it with you to your consult. Your plastic surgeon will be able to put all these factors together and determine if you are a candidate for the surgery and what would be the most effective technique. You should also expect to undergo a thorough medical clearance before this elective surgery.

Hello and thank you for the question.

It is possible to undergo a tummy tuck after having donated a kidney. There are considerations that need to be taken into account by your surgeon to assure a safe procedure with minimal risk, including possible modification of the classic tummy tuck surgical approach. This is something I would recommend discussing with a board certified plastic surgeon in your region prior to proceeding. 

Best of luck,

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

I have performed tummy tuck surgery safely in patients with a donor nephrectomy scar.    It can be very safely performed.    With careful planning, your plastic surgeon can blend your tummy tuck scar into your donor kidney scar giving much improvement in abdominal shape and contour.

Abdominoplasty should not be a problem after kidney donation as long as you are otherwise healthy. A Board Certified plastic surgeon can evaluate you and your abdominal scar to determine if any problems would be likely.

It depends on where your scar is located.  Now, many transplant teams harvest a kidney laparoscopically too.  Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon for a formal evaluation.