For the past 10 years we have performed abdominoplasties in our plastic surgery suite on an outpatient basis.
We are careful to add long-acting local anesthetic to the skin incision and even the muscle repair.
Pain control has not been an issue and we have, in the past 10 years, never had to admit a tummy tuck patient because of issues such as pain control.
Patients appreciate their own bed and, as long as a reliable adult is present with them, we find that abdominoplasties can be safely performed on an outpatient basis. (Francisco Canales, MD, Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon)
Abdominoplasty and Postoperative Recovery: Hospital Admission
The decision to admit a patient to a hospital after an abdominoplasty procedure is usually made by a plastic surgeon and his/her patient. The decision is based on several criteria, including: Comorbid medical conditions that may impair normal recovery – examples include heart disease, lung disease, bladder retention.
Pain control Length of surgery Associated surgeries performed in the same setting Age of patient Overall health of the patient Availability of qualified help at home to assist with postoperative care The decision to admit a patient to the hospital is based on many factors and the experience of an individual surgeon. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
As you can se from the many other answers, surgeons vary on their recommendations about overnight and/or hospital stay following abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I do it both ways.
I generally recommend out-patient (no hospital stay) recovery at home if the patient is in normal health and has adequate home support.
Like other surgeons, I use a long-acting local anesthetic infusion pump in addition to other perioperative pain control measures. I strongly encourage “early ambulation,” walking about at home beginning the afternoon of surgery. Being in the hospital usually means less post-op walking.
I suggest overnight hospital stay to patients who do not meet those above conditions, and those who are combining several procedures. Meeting each patient helps me and my staff counsel them individually as to which method we think is best for them. Talk with your surgeon. (Sutton Graham II, MD, Greenville Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck is usually an outpatient procedure
Generally speaking, tummy tucks can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure. Numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is used in the incision during surgery and pain medications and muscle relaxants are used after surgery. This works well for the large majority of patients. Another option is a pain pump, which drips local anesthesia under the skin after surgery.
If the patient has any medical issues, if they are having multiple procedures, or if they are a massive weight loss patient and have a lot of skin that needs to be removed, then it may be a good idea to be admitted to the hospital for at least one night. I hope that helps and wish you all the best. (James Knoetgen, III, MD, Fresno Plastic Surgeon)
Duration of recovery from a tummy tuck
The norm is that tummy tuck procedures will be performed in 3 – 4 hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis where the patient will be released that same day. (Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)
I do not recommend staying in a hospital after tummy tuck surgery – the RNs on the ward are working hard and taking care of a variety of patients. They simply won’t devote the time and effort that a family member would if you stayed at home. (Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Some surgeons send patients home immediately after an abdominoplasty. There is nothing wrong with that in most cases. I like to keep my patients in our overnight facility (I own my own surgery center) for the patients well-being and my peace of mind. I have never had to keep a patient more than one night. (Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Hospital stay after a tummy tuck
The duration of hospital stay after an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, varies by physician. In my practice all tummy tuck patients spend one night in the hospital. This allows to me to hydrate my patients with IV fluids after surgery and control their pain appropriately. I find this keeps the complications down to a minimum. (Neil J. Zemmel, MD, FACS, Midlothian Plastic Surgeon)