Hysterectomy after tummy tuck

Hysterectomy and tummy tuck together better than a week apart

Your plastic surgeon is probably correct in that the cost is greater to do the cosmetic procedure at the same time as the hysterectomy because hospital charges are typically much higher. However, you need to weigh this against prolonging your recovery by having them a week apart, when you will not yet be recovered from the hysterectomy.

Regardless of your decision, it is a good idea to make sure that your plastic surgeon has privileges to do tummy tucks in a hospital and not just his own facility; that way his credentials have been independently reviewed. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Hysterectomy and tummy tuck

Hysterectomy after tummy tuck operation

Both procedures can safely be done together. However if you are concerned about the short recovery period between the procedures you can wait longer to give yourself enough time to recover. (Dana Khuthaila, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck with or after hysterectomy

In a healthy patients the two procedures can be done in the same operative session. Patients appreciate having only one post operative recovery period and the opportunity to spend a few days recovering in the hospital.

Since that was not done in your case, my personal opinion is that one week later is too soon. Your risk of a serious complication-deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus-would be increased, and not worth the risk for a totally elective surgery. I would recommend waiting 2 months. (Ann F. Reilley, MD (retired), Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon)

Surgery timing should allow you recover from surgeries

Hysterectomy after tummy tuck surgery

It is more common to have a hysterectomy and a tummy tuck at the same time rather than a week apart. Without knowing all the details of your situation I would recommend the safer approach which would be to wait and be fully recovered from the hysterectomy before you start the next procedure. (Martin Jugenburg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

I cannot comment on the specifics of your case but your concerns are legitimate. It is very common to do these procedures together, especially if an abdominal approach was originally considered for the hysterectomy.

It does require for both surgeons to be in agreement and to coordinate both the surgery and the after-care. While costs might be a consideration, you should ask how much you would actually save.

Hysterectomy after tummy tuck procedure

Since a gynecologists has to “open” and “close” a hysterectomy, the actually additional time in the operating room to do the abdominoplasty might amount to only 1-2 hours at most. You also lose some on the recovery time savings if you break up the procedures. (Robin T.W. Yuan, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Hospital Facility Fees can be confusing

For surgeons who own their own operating rooms, we do have much more control over the costs than what hospitals may charge. Some surgeons do not like to perform an abdominoplasty at the same time as a hysterectomy due to the risks associated with a longer two part surgery as opposed to the risks of two separate surgeries. Ask your surgeon for a price breakdown of what it would cost at either institution and if he/she has any other reasons they don’t want to do the tummy tuck at the same time. Then you can come to an informed decision together. (Jason Brett Lichten, MD, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)