I'm considering a tummy tuck. What is the risk of bowel adhesions?

Thank you for your question regarding the risk of bowel adhesions or obstruction after a tummy tuck. This is a thoughtful concern, as adhesions can occur after any abdominal surgery, but the good news is that the risk with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is extremely low.

A tummy tuck primarily involves the superficial layers of the abdomen—the skin, subcutaneous fat, and rectus abdominis muscles. The procedure does not penetrate into the abdominal cavity where the bowel is located, meaning the likelihood of forming adhesions that affect the bowel is minimal. Unlike surgeries that involve manipulation of internal organs, such as bowel surgery or hysterectomy, a tummy tuck does not expose or interact with the intestines.

In rare cases, complications such as infection or significant internal scarring could theoretically contribute to adhesion formation. However, these complications are uncommon, particularly when the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and the patient follows all post-operative care instructions.

If you are otherwise healthy and free of underlying conditions such as extensive prior abdominal surgeries, inflammatory bowel disease, or recurrent infections, the risk of bowel adhesions from a tummy tuck is negligible. I encourage you to discuss your concerns thoroughly with your plastic surgeon during the consultation.

Overall, a tummy tuck can provide excellent functional and aesthetic results with minimal risk of long-term complications. If you choose to move forward, select a board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in abdominoplasty procedures to ensure the best outcome.

Sincerely,
J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

None. Tummy tuck is not an intraabdominal procedure and your bowels are never seen. It only removes skin and fat in front of the muscles and muscles are just brought together. Your bowels are behind the muscle inside the abdominal cavity.

A standard tummy tuck will not create bowel adhesions. Adhesions are formed by scar tissue between to loops of bowel inside your abdominal cavity. They can develop when you have surgery inside your abdominal cavity. A tummy tuck stays outside of your abdominal cavity and doesn't go below your abdominal muscles. Sometimes the anterior rectus fascia (outer layer of your central abdominal muscles) is sutured together (called a muscle plication) to help tighten the abdominal wall but these stay outside of your abdominal cavity.