Abdominoplasty can be performed successfully as an outpatient procedure with minimal morbidity.

Abstract

Since abdominoplasty has been shown to have a positive impact on patient's self-image and quality of life, it is no surprise that the annual number of these procedures performed has continued to increase. Historically, because of concerns with patient safety the majority of these operations have been performed on an inpatient basis. The breast reduction experience has shown that with proper patient selection and operative technique, this procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis without compromising safety. We retrospectively reviewed the senior author's experience to see if abdominoplasties can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure. Forty-five patients underwent abdominoplasties as an outpatient with only 1 patient required operative reexploration; the other complications were minor wound problems that did not require operative intervention. Proper patient selection and operative technique can allow a successful abdominoplasty with minimal morbidity.