Questions to Ask a Plastic Surgeon Before a Tummy Tuck

The questions

Open any question to see why it works.

1. 1

   Are you board certified, and by which board?

   Boards differ, and some certifications sound similar to plastic surgery without covering it. Ask for the exact name of the board and check it yourself with the certifying body rather than relying on the wall or the website.

2. 2

   How many abdominoplasties do you perform in a typical year?

   This is a volume question rather than a quality claim, and the answer sets the context for everything else. If your case involves a large weight loss history or a prior surgery, ask how many of that particular kind they do.

3. 3

   Based on examining me, which operation are you recommending: full, mini, extended, or with muscle repair?

   These are different operations with different scars, recovery times, and prices. Ask why this one rather than the others, and what the anatomy is that decides it, so you can compare like with like at a second opinion.

4. 4

   Do you think I am a candidate now, or would you want me to wait?

   Weight stability, planned pregnancy, smoking, and certain medical conditions all affect timing. A surgeon who says wait, and explains for how long and for what, is answering the question rather than closing a consultation.

5. 5

   Can I see before and after photographs of patients with a similar body and a similar history to mine?

   Ask for their own patients, at a similar time point after surgery, in similar lighting and positions. Ask how long after the operation each photo was taken, since scars and swelling change substantially over the first year.

6. 6

   Where will the scar be, how long will it be, and how does that relate to what I wear?

   Bring a specific garment or waistband to the appointment and ask them to mark where the line will fall. Ask separately about the scar around the navel, which people often do not realize is part of the operation.

7. 7

   What will you do with my belly button?

   In a full abdominoplasty the navel is usually repositioned through a new opening, which leaves its own scar. Ask what it will look like and what happens if it heals poorly, since this is a common source of dissatisfaction.

8. 8

   Are you recommending muscle repair, and what does that change about recovery?

   Tightening separated abdominal muscles is a distinct part of the procedure that affects pain, restrictions, and how long before you can lift. Ask what it is expected to change for you, and how it is assessed.

9. 9

   Would you combine liposuction or any other procedure, and how does that affect the risks?

   Combined operations mean longer time under anesthesia and different complication profiles. Ask what the added time is, why the combination is being proposed, and what the alternative of staging them separately would look like.

10. 10

    Where will the surgery take place, and is the facility accredited?

    Hospital, ambulatory surgery center, and office-based suite are not equivalent for an operation of this size. Ask about accreditation, and ask what the plan is if you need to be transferred to a hospital.

11. 11

    Who gives the anesthesia, what type, and how long will I be under?

    Ask whether it is an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist and who is supervising. Total time under anesthesia is one of the factors in complication risk, so it is worth having the estimate stated.

12. 12

    What are the specific risks of this operation for someone like me?

    Ask them to name them individually: bleeding, infection, seroma, wound separation, blood clots, numbness, asymmetry, poor scarring, loss of tissue at the edges. Ask which are more likely given your weight, smoking history, or medical conditions.

13. 13

    In your own practice, how often do these complications happen, and how often do you revise?

    Published rates and a particular surgeon's rates are different things. A surgeon who tracks their own numbers can give you figures, and one who says complications never happen is describing something other than surgery.

14. 14

    Will I have drains, how many, and what will I have to do with them?

    Drains are common with this operation and are usually managed at home for one to several weeks. Ask who teaches you to empty and record them, and what the criteria are for removing them.

15. 15

    What does recovery look like week by week?

    Ask for specifics: when you can stand upright, when you can drive, when you can lift a child, when you can return to your particular job, and when you can exercise. General answers are hard to plan a life around.

16. 16

    What help will I need at home, and for how long?

    The first days usually require someone with you, and the constraints on lifting can last weeks. Ask what the plan should be if you have small children, stairs, or nobody available to stay.

17. 17

    What is the plan for pain control and for preventing blood clots?

    Ask what medication is prescribed and for how long, and what is used to reduce clot risk, whether that is early walking, compression, or medication. Ask what symptoms should prompt an urgent call.

18. 18

    Who do I contact after hours, and how quickly will I see you if something is wrong?

    Ask whether you reach the surgeon or a service, and who covers when they are away. Also ask how many follow-up visits are included and over what period.

19. 19

    If the result is not what we discussed, what is your revision policy and who pays?

    Policies vary on whether the surgeon's fee, the facility fee, and anesthesia are charged again. Ask how long the policy remains open and what would count as a revision rather than a new procedure, and ask for it in writing.

20. 20

    What is the total cost, what does it include, and what is not covered if there is a complication?

    Ask for a written quote separating surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees, plus garments, tests, and follow-ups. Ask specifically what happens financially if you need an unplanned hospital stay or a return to theatre.