Tummy tuck surgery 5 hours under general anesthesia vs 3 hours? (photos)

A tummy tuck typically takes me 1.25 hours to 2.5 hours.  Find a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each
year, has great reviews, and has great before and after pictures.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Up until now there is little hard evidence on whether
increase in time of surgery increases risk. Nevertheless, there is a
considerable opinion that greater than 5 hours in surgery leads to increased
risks (bleeding, fluid shifts, possibly infections). If there is a
difference in risk between 3 hours of surgery and 5 hours that risk is
small. However, particularly with abdominoplasty ( versus other elective
surgeries), there is a definite small risk of blood clots in the leg veins,
which can be quite serious if they break off and go the lung.
Doing the procedure under sedation ( Monitored Anesthesia Care) with local
anesthesia probably eliminates this risk, but most surgeons use general
anesthesia which is quite acceptable. However, it is important that they
take precautions regarding blood clots, and it is import for you to ambulate
soon after surgery. So...in general the less time under anesthesia the
better, but if the operation is less than 5 hours, the increased time brings
minimal if any additional riskUp until now there is little hard evidence on
whether increase in time of surgery increases risk. Nevertheless, there
is a considerable opinion that greater than 5 hours in surgery leads to
increased risks (bleeding, fluid shifts, possibly infections). If there
is a difference in risk between 3 hours of surgery and 5 hours that risk is
small. However, particularly with abdominoplasty ( versus other elective
surgeries), there is a definite small risk of blood clots in the leg veins, which
can be quite serious if they break off and go the lung. Doing
the procedure under sedation ( Monitored Anesthesia Care) with local anesthesia
probably eliminates this risk, but most surgeons use general anesthesia which
is quite acceptable. However, it is important that they take precautions
regarding blood clots, and it is import for you to ambulate soon after
surgery. So...in general the less time under anesthesia the better, but
if the operation is less than 5 hours, the increased time brings minimal if any
additional risk

If you have found two plastic surgeons that are excellent at what they do and you like them the choice is really yours. The difference in anesthesia time, two hours, is not significant. If you're healthy and a good candidate five hours versus three hours of anesthesia time will not increase your complication rate.Good luck.Earl Stephenson Jr MD DDS FACS

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!!

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.

Thank you for the picture.I can definitely tell you, that 3 hours is not a realistic answer. The length is based on the size of the patient, so 5 hours sound more realistic for your case.Dr. Campos

In general, there is increasing risk with time under anesthesia.  How much more risk with two hours, who can say.  I doubt that there is much of an increase, especially in light of this large operation.the more important question is why the difference in expected time for  the case.  Consider that surgery includes time in the room which means induction of anesthesia, prep, drape, wake up, dressings, move out of the room, etc.  If the surgeon works alone or has an assistant that makes a difference.Based on your deformity and height/weight and what the surgeon intends to do will determine how long the case will take.  I work alone and do a lot of work.  I don't think that 5 hours is that unreasonable. sek

Surgical time is sometimes an estimate and while the procedures can routinely follow certain time frames, it is important that the technique be finished safely and completely. That being said, some cases can take longer and discussion with your surgeon as to a time range may make you more comfortable. I certainly try to keep the shortest time that allows me to complete the work.

You have loose skin and a skin
overhang with moderate diastasis. I think a Full tummy tuck will serve
you best. Liposuction of your hips and flanks will improve your result. However, your navel is high, you may have to accept a short
vertical scar in your lower abdomen as a trade off. Two-three hours, is the average time for this procedure. Five hours; is towards the longer end of the spectrum.

Hello and thank you for your question. The less time under anesthesia the better. Giving Said that, it is important to take the time to get the best results possible.  By the way I think your flanks should be suctioned. Good luck.