Do Tummy Tuck Patients Usually Go Home the Day of the Procedure?

It is very common to send patients home the same day as tummy tuck surgery (abominoplasty). This is due to the use of better anesthetics, pain pumps and desire to increase mobilization to diminish the potential for clotting.

Thank you for your question! Yes, it is very common for patients having a tummy tuck to be discharged home the same day of the procedure. The reason behind patients staying over night is based on the length of surgery, their age, and medical history. 

Thank you for your question. Your abdominoplasty may be performed in a hospital or at our surgical outpatient facility. A general anesthetic is administered, so that you will be asleep throughout the procedure. When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Small drain tubes will have been placed within the abdominal tissues to help avoid accumulation of fluids. Gauze or other dressings may be applied to your abdomen and covered with tape or an elastic bandage.

You may be permitted to go home after a few hours unless you and the doctor have determined that you will stay in the hospital or our surgical facility overnight. Best of luck!Dhaval M. PatelDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago 

Although a tummy tuck isn't a trivial procedure, most patients do very well going home after surgery. One thing that has been very helpful is the use of an On-Q "pain pump" which automatically infuses numbing anesthetic into the area for the first 3 days. For patients with medical conditions that put them in a higher risk category for complications, it makes more sense sometimes to stay overnight.

I perform surgery at an outpatient surgery center. Most patients are usually discharged home, preferably with a nurse for one day.  It is the rare patient who, for a variety of reasons, may benefit from additional monitoring ( as an overnight stay or as an inpatient).  Regardless, when you are discharged home it is important to have a good support system to help you during the healing process ( the more help the better).  Generally speaking, “mommy makeover” procedures are associated with a very significant physical ( and often emotional) recovery period,  often underestimated by patients. Best wishes.