Possible Kidney Problems and Other Risks After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I am 47 now and 2 years ago I weighed about 132 kgs and in 8 months with some rigorous weight training, I reduced my weight to 90 kgs. Now, I am into serious body building. I have very loose skin on my belly area and was advised a Tummy Tuck. Recently, I have been told that after about  5 years of haviing a tummy tuck, some renal (kidney) problems start to appear. Can you please comment on this, plus any long term adverse effects post op? Thanks.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding long-term risks after a tummy tuck, specifically whether the procedure can cause kidney (renal) problems. First, congratulations on your impressive weight loss and dedication to bodybuilding — you have made incredible progress and it’s understandable that you now want to address the loose skin left behind.

To directly answer your concern: there is no scientific evidence that a properly performed tummy tuck leads to kidney problems years later. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgery focused on the skin, fat, and sometimes muscle layers of the abdominal wall, but it does not involve the kidneys or other deep internal organs. The kidneys are located far deeper in the body, behind the abdominal lining (retroperitoneal space), and are not disturbed during a tummy tuck. Therefore, a tummy tuck would not be expected to cause renal problems — not immediately after surgery and not years down the line.

The confusion sometimes arises because major surgeries carry temporary stress on the body, particularly during the healing phase. For example, immediately after any big surgery, your body can retain fluids, and patients may have temporary fluctuations in kidney function from factors like anesthesia, fluid shifts, medications, and inflammation. However, this is short-term and almost always resolves completely within a few days to weeks, especially in healthy patients without pre-existing kidney issues.

When it comes to true long-term risks of a tummy tuck, the main things to be aware of are:

Scar tissue formation (internal or external)

Changes in sensation (such as numbness or sensitivity in the lower abdomen)

Need for revision surgery in some cases if healing is imperfect or if weight fluctuations affect the results

Very rarely, issues like seroma (fluid collection) or delayed wound healing, particularly if patients smoke or have significant health risks

Overall, for a healthy, non-smoking, active individual like yourself, the long-term outlook after a tummy tuck is overwhelmingly positive when performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Maintaining a stable weight and good overall health will help preserve your results for many years.

Thank you again for asking such an important question. It’s always wise to research and be fully informed before undergoing any elective surgery. You are clearly dedicated to your health and fitness, and it sounds like you are an excellent candidate to achieve a great result.

Wishing you continued strength and success on your journey.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS
(Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons; Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and RealSelf Hall of Fame)

Before moving forward, always be sure to review your plastic surgeon’s qualifications, look at before-and-after photos carefully, and make sure you are working with someone experienced in post-weight loss body contouring surgeries.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hic,
Thanks for the question.  To my knowledge, there is nothing in the literature that would suggest a correlation between a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, and the development of delayed-onset acute renal failure (ARF) or chronic renal failure for that matter.  Most patients, in fact, do quite well following a tummy tuck and tend to be some of our most pleased clients.  
If you are a serious body builder and are taking any sort of performance-enhancing supplements, I would recommend a thorough pre-operative work-up including some general labs prior to undergoing a tummy tuck to ensure that your underlying renal status isn't in a compromised state.
Best of luck.

John E. Gross, MD (retired) · Answer

I am not aware of any relationship between abdominoplasty and a delayed renal failure.
Occasionally there can be some prolonged numbness in the lower abdomen.
There are trade-offs involved with any surgical procedure.  Scar, numbness, cost etc.
The majority of patients who have a history of significant weight loss as you describe end up very pleased after abdominoplasty.

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