Necrosis, the death of skin, is a possible complication following a Tummy Tuck. There are always risks with any type of surgery and a well trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will discuss with you the benefits and the risks of any recommended procedure.
I feel it is my job to educate my patients so that they are informed enough to choose the benefits over the risks. Your health history can also be associated with the risk factors of any surgical procedure.
Discuss your concerns with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.(Christine Sullivan, MD, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)
Skin necrosis after tummy tuck is a known complication of any plastic surgery procedure. Also, abdominal skin or fat necrosis is one of the known complications of Tummy Tuck.
These is however evry infrequent in most people unless for smokers, diabetic patients, immunocompromised patients, and those with certain vascular conditions. (Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
What is skin necrosis and how is it related to the risks of tummy tuck surgery?
Necrosis: The death of living cells or tissues. Necrosis is due to ischemia, a lack of blood flow. In this context it refers to the disruption of blood flow to the abdominal fat and skin due to the surgical procedure.
This alone rarely causes skin loss, but when compounded with previous abdominal scars (surgeries), obesity, and smoking, the risk of necrosis increases significantly. All of theses contribute to a diminished blood flow. So if you are contemplating this surgery, definitely stop smoking at least 2-4 weeks before and after the procedure.
Your surgeon will evaluate your other risks during the consultation. (Carlos Cordoba, MD, Montreal Plastic Surgeon)
Healing after a tummy tuck
Typically a tummy tuck wound heals without any complications, especially in a mini tummy tuck. Skin necrosis refers to a complication when some of the skin next to the wound gets inadequate blood supply right after the surgery, turns black and scabby. This results in a poor scar and prolonged healing. Make sure your surgeon assesses if you have any risks that would predispose you to this complication, in which case some measures need to be taken, or the surgery might have to be modified to decrease the likelihood of getting this complication. (Boris M. Ackerman, MD, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)
Risk of skin necrosis after a tummy tuck
Like every surgery, a tummy tuck also carries known risks and publications. One possible risk is known as necrosis or death of the overlying skin or skin and fat at the edge of the incision. Necrosis can occur if the flap has been damaged or too aggressively manipulated or if a wound has been closed with excess tension. To avoid this serious public, your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon was great deal of experience in Mini tummy tucks, regular tummy tucks, and flap surgery. In our practice, we cannot close these ones with excess tension so that we can avoid the risk of necrosis and so that we do not create a distorted appearance of the abdomen. (Pat Pazmino, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Necrosis is dead skin or fat
Necrosis of the abdominal skin or fat is one of the complications of Tummy Tuck. Smokers, diabetics and patients with certain vascular diseases are candidates for this problem. The majority of cases do well. (Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
This is a potential problem after tummy tuck. It is when abdominal skin (above incision line) turns black and dies. May be due to disruption of blood supply and/or outflow. Predisposing factors would be smoking, diabetes, vascular disease. Really important to discuss expectations and possible complications with your plastic surgeon. (J. Vicente P. Poblete, MD, Cleveland Plastic Surgeon)