I am very interested in having a tummy tuck but I do have MH. I am having difficulty finding a surgeon who will take me on. I live in Fauquier County but am willing to travel for the right surgeon. Any suggestions on how to find one?
There are different types of MH. Consider getting pre-operative clearance from your internal medicine practitioner or cardiologist. Then, consider a facility/plastic surgeon in your area that is very familiar with peri-operative management of MH. Sometimes this means you may have to go to a major medical center.
For instance our facility is a AAAASF level C facility and utilizes an Anesthesiologist. Of course we have done patients with MH. Special precautions are required in the MH patient that can make your TT a bit more expensive. Unfortunately, we are over 6 hrs from your location.
These are the some parameters that you might consider BEFORE your surgery.
Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
In addition to Dr Culbertson's advice, some surgeons do tummy tucks without the gas that can cause. I've done it with TIVA (Total Intravenous Anesthesia) + tumescent anesthesia which doesn't require any gas and the patient is breathing on their own. Happy to discuss further.
MH is related to certain anesthesia medication, specially inhaled gases; you should be checked for your cardiac and renal function before surgery; it you are in good health conditions your tummy could be done avoiding the medication that causes MH.
I think it can still safely be done but its not without risk.
Agree with my colleagues below who recommend medical and cardiac risk stratification. For this, please make sure that you do see an actual physician and not a mid level provider
Also, a discussion with the anesthesiologist also needs be done.
For any patient with a history of MH, I do the case in the hospital and not surgical center.
Every surgery center should have the appropriate medicines to take care of malignant hyperthermia in case of an emergency but it is a serious problem that could cause you to die and no one wants one of their patients to do that. For many reasons I would never advise a patient to have surgery anywhere if there is someone available and qualified close to home. Yes, it could be done but a lot of precautions need to be met. They may ask you to have the surgery in a hospital instead of an outpatient facility and this could cost you up to 4 times as much and you may be required to have an admission to the hospital. You may need to have this done under local anesthesia. You did not mention if you had a consultation with a local plastic surgeon and what they told you. You definitely need a preoperative consultation with the anesthesiologist.