I need a Tummy Tuck I saw 3 doctors I liked 2 of them they are rated top in the area on realself.com. one doctor said the surgery will take 5 hours the other said 3 hours. I am terrified of the surgery and I want to know if there is more risk for being under anesthesia for 5 hours vs 3 hours? I am 37 years old, 5' 6 ", and 132 lbs. both doctors said I do not need much of liposuction.
December 15, 2016
Answer: Tummy Tuck - time under general anesthesia The general guideline for outpatient surgery is 6 hours. Make sure your doctor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. It seems that you are young and healthy so the risk of anesthesia is really, really, really small. If you are concerned about anesthesia, then talk not to the plastic surgeon, but the anesthesia provider for those doctors and review with them your concerns. From your pictures, you need a full tummy tuck with a little bit of liposuction. Depending on the amount of assistance a surgeon has, 2-4 hours is pretty average. Best Wishes!!
Helpful
December 15, 2016
Answer: Tummy Tuck - time under general anesthesia The general guideline for outpatient surgery is 6 hours. Make sure your doctor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. It seems that you are young and healthy so the risk of anesthesia is really, really, really small. If you are concerned about anesthesia, then talk not to the plastic surgeon, but the anesthesia provider for those doctors and review with them your concerns. From your pictures, you need a full tummy tuck with a little bit of liposuction. Depending on the amount of assistance a surgeon has, 2-4 hours is pretty average. Best Wishes!!
Helpful
April 4, 2014
Answer: How long should my surgery take? Speed should never be goal of a surgeon, but efficiency is certainly a garland. Five hours sounds way too long for a full tummy tuck unless other procedures are to be combined with it. Two to three hours is the norm. Having said that, there is little difference to the patient from a medical perspective whether the procedure takes 3 or 5 hours. Some surgeons just like to take a long time. Most would claim that they are simply being 'meticulous,' while others would say they suffer from OCD. It is a fact that all surgeons are 'slow' at the start of their careers or with surgery they don't do often. The only issue is one of cost since the OR facility and the anesthesiologist are on the clock.If your doctor is an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and if you feel comfortable in your relationship with him or her, then the issue of how long the surgery takes is moot.
Helpful
April 4, 2014
Answer: How long should my surgery take? Speed should never be goal of a surgeon, but efficiency is certainly a garland. Five hours sounds way too long for a full tummy tuck unless other procedures are to be combined with it. Two to three hours is the norm. Having said that, there is little difference to the patient from a medical perspective whether the procedure takes 3 or 5 hours. Some surgeons just like to take a long time. Most would claim that they are simply being 'meticulous,' while others would say they suffer from OCD. It is a fact that all surgeons are 'slow' at the start of their careers or with surgery they don't do often. The only issue is one of cost since the OR facility and the anesthesiologist are on the clock.If your doctor is an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and if you feel comfortable in your relationship with him or her, then the issue of how long the surgery takes is moot.
Helpful
