Is a tummy tuck considered major surgery?

Yes: Any surgery which is performed under anesthesia should be considered to be 'major surgery'. The procedure takes approximately 4 hours long and the recovery is 2-3 weeks.

Yes: Although in a sense technically not major because no body cavity is entered, it causes as much pain as a laparotomy and creates a large flap and "dead space" ie potential cavity that can fill with fluid. Usually, it's very well- tolerated.

In a sense: There are several ways to define major vs minor surgery (some say minor surgery is any operation on someone else) but abdminoplasty is not a trivial operation. Pain is manageable with an on-q or other device. It is important to choose a board-vcertified plastic surgeon and have the procedure done in an accredited surgical facility.

Yes: A tummy tuck is in the same general category as a c - section or hysterectomy and recovery times are fairly similar.

Yes: This is similar to other abdominal surgery. One of the biggest cosmetic procedures plastic surgeons do.

Depends: "it is minor surgery if they do it to you and major surgery if they do it to me!" :) for the person laying on the operating table, all surgery is major surgery! seriously, the removal of a little excess skin and fat can be called a tummy tuck and is a small procedure (still carries risks, etc. Though). Removal of a large amount of skin and fat and tightening the muscles is major!

It's all relative: For the most part this is a skin only surgery but may involve muscle plication and repair of the core muscles which can increase the recovery. It is one of the more "major" common surgical procedures but is minor in comparison ot most procedures following massive weight loss whcih can involve nearly the entire body.

Yes: A tummy takes about 3 hours under general anesthesia, and requires 3-4 weeks for recovery. So, though it is not nearly as serious as cardiac surgery or a joint replacement, it is considered major surgery.

It can be.....: Tummy tuck surgery is amongst the largest scale operation a plastic surgeon can offer. Some are larger than others though. It depends upon the problem the patient comes to have corrected. A woman after gastric bypass has much more to correct than your average thin woman after one average pregnancy.

Yes: There is no minor surgery. A Board certified plastic surgeon is the only person qualified to carry the operation, it has to be done in an accredited facility and well prepared. Not everyone is a candidate for it. There could be major risks associated with it if not done properly. You need a full consultation prior to decision making. Good luck.