Am I able to have a tummy tuck after a mastectomy?

No, there is not any reason that you couldn't have a tummy tuck. The only early hesitation may have been whether or not you would use the tummy tissue to perform breast reconstruction. 

You did not mention the type of reconstruction. I presume the abdominal wall is not the donor site. In abdominoplasty is no problem although it would eliminate one available type of donor area for breast reconstruction in the future.

Having a mastectomy in the past does not disqualify you from cosmetic surgery in the future. As long as your general health is good, pursue the tummy tuck and other cosmetic procedures. I would also encourage you to consult experienced plastic surgeons about your breast reconstruction. You may be able to improve your results. Sometimes we use abdominal tissue in breast reconstruction. In DIEP flap or TRAM flap procedures, surgeons use the lower abdominal tissue that is otherwise discarded in a tummy tuck, so planning ahead with all your goals might be a good idea. I wish you the best of luck.

There is no problem having a tummy tuck done if you had your mastectomy and reconstruction previously, I am assuming with implants. You should be aware that the tummy skin may come in handy for future reconstructive efforts on your breast if needed and if you have a tummy tuck, you will be eliminating a future reconstructive option. But if you are happy with the previous reconstruction, sure, go ahead and get a tummy tuck.

As a busy breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgeon, it is quite common to perform breast reconstruction and tummy tucks on my patients. This can sometimes be done alongside the reconstruction, or at a later date. As long as you are healthy and a good candidate, you can have an abdominoplasty.

          A tummy tuck and liposuction should not necessarily pose a challenge after mastectomies with reconstruction.  Find a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and liposuction procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

I do quite a bit of cosmetic and breast cancer surgery. I am so sorry to hear that you feel the way you do about your reconstruction. I often revise patients like yourself many years out and have great results so it is possible to have your breasts fixed. And, goodness yes you can have a tummy tuck. I do it all the time. In fact I do them at the second stage breast reconstruction all the time. Your ability to have a tummy tuck has no bearing on the fact that you are a breast cancer survivor. Make sure you have lost maximal weight and you are stable. Then go for it. Provided you have good health there is no reason why you can't have the procedures you are asking about. Congratulations on being a 10 year survivor. That is huge!!!

 

 

 

Based on the information you provided, it is fine to go ahead and have a tummy tuck, liposuction, and fillers as long as you are a good candidate for these procedures.  Having a mastectomy and reconstruction does not preclude you from these.  Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon who is familiar with the type of breast reconstruction you underwent.  Good luck and so glad to hear about your good health!

If you are in good health and given a green light by your medical physician there is no reason that you could not have an abdominoplasty.  I am assuming that you did not have a TRAM flap but reconstruction using tissue expanders or a latissimus dorsi flap.  

First of all, congratulations on being a SURVIVOR! After all that you went through, you deserve to do something for yourself.  Sounds like you would be a great candidate, based on a complete exam of course, for the procedures you mentioned. A tummy tuck with liposuction can be performed, and the fat obtained from the suction can then be used as a permanent filler in the face, lips and even into the breasts. I would encourage you, while you are asleep for surgery, to use some of the skin and fat from the tummy tuck to go ahead and make the nipples you have been without for 10 years now. This will add a sense of completion and mental well being and will not add any additional pain or cost (as the nipples would be covered by insurance).  Again, congratulations and good luck.