Tummy tuck risks and side effects
Tummy Tuck – Is It Safe? What Are the Risks and Side Effects
A tummy tuck is a safe operation as long as the patient is not a high risk individual (hypertension, diabetes, bleeding problems, smokers).
Despite those conditions a healthy person can experience scars, poor healing, and delayed healing, and asymmetry. Most abdominoplasty patients do well and heal without problems. (Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
All Surgical Procedures have Risks: Tummy Tuck is no exception
Tummy Tuck Surgery like all surgical procedures have some degree of risk. For the vast majority it is a safe procedure. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual and include deep venous thrombosis (clots in the calf veins) – to prevent this special elastic stockings are used after surgery and “leg pumps” during surgery.
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Below is a more complete list of possible risks: Possible risks of abdominoplasty include: Bleeding (hematoma and excessive bruising) Seroma after tummy tuck (Fluid accumulation) Opening of the wound from poor wound healing Skin loss from infection or decreased blood supply Permanent loss of or too much (pain) skin sensation Anesthesia complications Prolonged edema swelling Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis) Asymmetry Recurrent skin laxity Persistent swelling in the legs Nerve or blood vessel damage Undesired appearance Abnormal scarring (hypertrophic and keloid) Deep Venous Thrombosis and pulmonary embolus Seroma Death (Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
How safe is a tummy tuck
Tummy tuck surgery risks and side effects
Tummy tuck surgery is a safe procedure when done by a qualified surgeon in a safe facility. Like any procedure it also has its risks. Most risks are also related to other risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. I tell my patients that the biggest realistic risk is simply getting. The result that you want – the perfect result. It’s hard to get the perfect result every time even though we all try. That means you might have a little more fullness somewhere, or the skin might not be as tight as ideal. These are really minor problems and if they occur can be dealt with easily as a minor revision.
The tummy tuck risks and side effects
In my experience this might occur a couple times a year. Not bad considering I perform many per month. Other risk such as seroma, blood clots and infection should be very uncommon in skilled hands. You should discuss these during your consultation. (Ronald Schuster, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck Safety
A tummy tuck is a very common cosmetic procedure to improve the look and contour of the abdomen. When performed properly and on the appropriate patient, it is a very safe procedure.
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It is important that the procedure is performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience with the procedure.
The risks of a tummy tuck include seromas, hematomas, wound healing difficulty, belly button loss, contour deformities, and DVT/PEs (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism).
The most concerning (ie dangerous) of these risks are DVT/PEs. It is important when consulting for cosmetic surgery that you ask specific questions about where surgery is performed, who performs the anesthesia, what accreditation the facility has, and most importantly – your surgeon’s board certification and training.
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Although tummy tucks are a very safe operation in general, as with all elective surgery, make sure you do your homework! (David Bogue, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)
Potential risks of tummy tuck
There are always potential risks while having any type of surgery performed. Some of these potential risks are: unfavorable scarring, bleeding/hematoma, infection, fluid accumulation (seroma), poor wound healing, wound dehiscence, suture granuloma, numbness in skin sensation, contour irregularities, asymmetry in scar placement or contour, pain that persists, nerve damage, loss of umbilicus, residual deformity, need for revisional surgery, suboptimal aesthetic result, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary complications, long term effects. (Siamak Agha, MD, PhD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
