Do I need a catheter after a tummy tuck?

Question

My PS told me that I would be going home with a catheter for three days post op. I don't have a problem with that as part of his fee includes visits by a nurse for those three days as well as my caregiver is a RN. Is there any harm in this? I've never had one before, nor have I read about it in the forums.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

It is unlikely that your PS is referring to a urinary (foley) catheter. But he/she may be talking about are JP drains.  Please get this clarified by your PS.

	Best wishes,

	Dr. Basu

	Houston, TX

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Looks like there is confusion in terms. Catheter in bladder for urinary issues or the word catheter for drains under TT flaps? You need to explain or be explained which one or both??? Get a understandable informed consent!

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

The personal interview with your surgeon is important to go over the past medical history. Your surgeon may have concerns and would like you to have catheter. I do not use catheter routinely for tummy tuck.

Albert Dabbah, MD · Answer

Every surgeons preferences are different but I have never needed to send a tummy tuck patient home with a urinary cathter. The risk would be developing a urinary tract infection. It may also keep you from ambulating to the restroom and ambulating in general which is not a good idea. Unless you have a medical reason to be sent home with a catheter this doesn't make much sense to me.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

Not only do I not even use a catheter in the OR for Tummy Tuck, I have never heard of any Plastic Surgeon who discharged a patient with one. This is a set-up for a urinary tract infection. I, and many other Plastic Surgeons, do use wound drains for a few days, and those could be confused with a catheter, but this does not sound like what you are talking about.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi.

	I never heard of this.  Are you sure you understood correctly?  Perhaps you should get another consultation.

Donald Nunn, MD (retired) · Answer

I do not leave a uninary catheter in a tummy tuck case after surgery. It is removed in the OR or the recovery room. This decreases the chance of urinary tract infections and allows early ambulation. Only wound suction drains are left in after surgery and removed when output is decreased. Donald R. Nunn MD Plastic Surgeon.

Do I need a catheter after a tummy tuck?

Answers (7)