I have major scar tissue and bowel adhesions - can I still have TT?

Dear abeuhring,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

That’s a great question. You can have a tummy most likely. With a tummy tuck the surgeon doesn’t enter the abdominal cavity where your adhesions and scar tissue are from prior surgery. Of course each patient is different and I’m speaking in generalities.

Dear Georgian,
Sorry to hear about your complex surgical history, however it should not prevent you from having tummy tuck surgery. There is a slight risk of bowel obstruction when tightening the abdominal muscles that can kink the bowel , if the bowel is attached to the anterior abdominal wall. But, again, the likelihood of it happening is quite remote. For your self reassurance discuss it with the splenectomy surgeon. If you want to eliminate that risk all together, have your plastic surgeon perform only skin tightening tummy tuck.
Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with flat stomach, nice belly button, narrower waists, improved body posture and low scar.
Best of luck,
Dr Widder
Always, consult

Thank you for sharing your question. As the scar tissue and bowel adhesions are deeper than the layers worked upon during a tummy tuck it does not eliminate your ability to have one. What must be considered more is the style and number of incisions used to address any adhesions in the past as well as your previous surgeries. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your question. Nothing substitutes for an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, but previous abdominal surgery does not necessarily rule you out from abdominoplasty. You are definitely at risk of potential complications & an experienced surgeon can give you a good estimate of risks versus benefits. If you get surgeon’s who are hesitant that may very well be your answer as to whether you are a candidate or not.Best of luck!Sincerely,
John David Rosdeutscher, M.D.

After multiple prior surgeries you’re at risk for fluid collections such as a seroma. You should see a surgeon with experiencing high-risk patients and who can perform progressive tension sutures. progressive tension suture tummy tuck aka The Drainless Tummy Tuck is an innovative technique that produces impressive results with minimal scarring and faster healing. During the surgery, the most important aspect of this procedure is to place dissolvable sutures throughout the abdominal wall eliminating the need for drainage tubes. We see a noticeable difference in client comfort during postoperative healing with taut,sculpted results.

The standard procedure commonly performed uses drainage tubes placed at both ends of the incision to allow fluids to safely exit the body. Traditional drainage tubes stay intact for upto 1-2 weeks, and can be messy and painful for patients to manage at home. They also present a higher risk of secondary infections, such as hematomas and seromas post-operation.

A personal examination would have to be performed to make that determination. If the scars are on your abdominal skin and are a problem with a tummy tuck, there may be other procedures that would help, such as a liposuction with a mini-tummy tuck or a Renuvion, which would tighten the skin. Or a reverse tummy tuck if this can be done and is a viable procedure for your problem

Thank you for your question, and best of luck to you.

The internal scarring is not the problem, it is the scar on the skin that may prevent a tummy tuck. The blood supply to the skin is disrupted with a tummy tuck and anything that prevents an adequate blood supply to the remaining skin may not allow a tummy tuck procedure. You will need an in person examination to determine what can be done.

Good Luck!

Having had multiple intra-abdominal surgeries and having intra abdominal scar tissue with adhesions does not mean you can’t have a tummy tuck.

I suggest having a few in person consultations at which point you can talk to the surgeon about their views in regards to pricing cons and what your previous medical history may have to do with your decision making.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom, MD