Tummy Tucks | Risks & Complications Of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Risks & Complications Of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Filed Under Advice | 2 Comments

Whilst there are certainly many ‘internet horror stories’ circulating about cosmetic surgery complications, one simple fact remains no matter how skilled the surgeon. Any type of surgery carries some risks of complications and plastic surgery risks are no different in this respect.

This highlights the need to choose qualified, experienced and ethical surgeons rather than simply shopping around only for the price. The risk of complications from tummy tucks are  reduced in the hands of a competent surgical team.

Although you may have come across some of the more commonly discussed complications mentioned here, this list shouldn’t be taken as medical advice – it would be impossible to state all the risks and meaningless in some ways as they will vary from patient to patient. There is simply no substitute for dialogue with the surgical team. The descriptions here only serve to emphasise abdominoplasty is a serious surgical procedure requiring specialist surgical expertise. Finally, to balance the picture, it is also equally true that this type of plastic surgery is quite routinely performed around the world.

- Bleeding underneath the skin which the drainage tubes the surgeon inserts may not be able to adequately clear, sometimes accompany by a hematoma (blood clot). This type of complication requires further corrective surgery.

- Wound infection can occur after any surgery, although prophylactic antibiotics given before surgery can help minimise this risk.

- The extent of scarring can vary from patient to patient, and may require further surgery for scar revision if it is severe or ruptures.

- Skin or fatty tissue can be subject to necrosis – literally, cell death. This appears more common in smokers (1).

- Pulmonary embolism invoices a blood clot which migrates to the lungs, although various techniques are used as routine precautionary measures to try to prevent this and occurrence is not routine.

- Numbness to abdominal region or thighs could occur if nerves become damaged during surgery. Generally, this will resolve over months, with occasionally small areas which do not regain sensation.

- Seromas can form due to collection of fluid between the muscle layer and the skin flap and could pose infections risks. Drainiage techniques aim to minimise this risk, which appears greater for patients with very high BMIs or smokers (2).

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

Whilst every effort is made to give an accurate representation here, these pages CANNOT be a substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment under any circumstances. They also CANNOT be used as the basis for any healthcare decision – please ONLY consult qualified, professional doctors for advice. Thank you.

Posted by: Health Watcher

References:

1. Kroll, S. S., MD. (1994) Necrosis of Abdominplasty and Other Secondary Flaps after TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction. Plastic Reconstruction Surgery. 94: 637.

2. Kim, James M.D.; Stevenson, Thomas R. M.D. 2006. Abdominoplasty, Liposuction of the Flanks, and Obesity: Analyzing Risk Factors for Seroma Formation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: 117 (3), pp.773-779.

Photo Credit

1. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Blinc

Comments

• About The Editor, RS Brown

  

  Blogger extraordinaire on the things we try to feel younger and fitter. Photo courtesy of Kriss Szkurlatowski, star photographer (click it to see his work).

• About The Authors

  • About The Authors

• Topics

  • Advice (4)
  • Costs (1)
  • Overview (3)

• Blogroll

  • Anti Aging Vitamins
  • Anti Wrinkles and Fine Lines Impartial information: Retintol, Botox, AHAs, Facial Acupuncture/ Massage and more
  • Breast Surgeries for Women and Men Sensible real-life information cosmetic breast surgeries
  • Cost of Tummy Tuck Cost of Tummy Tuck
  • Hair Implant Would hair implant treatment work for you?
  • Laser Hair Removal Cost Guide
  • Male Cosmetic Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery For Men Blog on many types of plastic surgery for men
  • Tummy Tuck Jeans Info The lowdown on jeans that claim they slim you

• Advertising