Getting Laporoscopy and Fat-reducing Procedure in One Surgery? Tri Valley Plastic Surgery

I need to have an IUD removed (placed 2005) which has somehow gone through my uterus into the abdominal cavity. The doctor wants to perform a laporoscopy. Since I will be paying mostly out of my pocket and will be under anesthesia, I wanted to know, is it safe to have liposuction or other fat-reducing procedure/surgery done at the same time?

Use caution

Most plastic surgeons hesitate to combine cosmetic procedures of any length with other medically necessary treatments. There are several potentially complicating issues: 1. Longer operative time - While modern surgery is a generally safe experience, there is a clear correlation with longer operative time being associated with a higher complication rate. 2. Longer recovery - Of course have multiple surgeries increases your recovery time. 3. Higher risk of complications - In addition to a longer operative time other factors like multiple surgeons, multiple sets of instruments and lack of full control of the operation (obviously your general surgeon or gynecologist controls there part of the operation and your plastic surgeon would control his or her part). 4. Specific negative procedure interactions - What I mean here is that there are some procedures that are not great together. The most common one I am asked about is getting an abdominoplasty at the same time as a scheduled c-section. All of the above apply but in addition my abdominoplasty results likely won't be as good because the additional surgery (the c-section) at the site of my abdominoplasty can cause additional risks and the patient's swelling and body habitus reduces the effectiveness of the abdominoplasty. In your case laparoscopic surgery usually involves filling your abdomen with air that will give the surgeon more room to work. Possible complications from this necessary part of the laparoscopic procedure include - increased risk of penetrating the abdominal cavity with the lipo cannulas, not being able to assess the treated areas effectively in the abdomen is still even slightly distended with gas, etc. etc. There are some benefits to combining operations (a single recovery time, a single episode of anesthesia, usually more cost effective). It is very important to be extremely cautious in pursuing these benefits with the above incomplete list of risks. I hope this helps. Steven Williams, MD