The ABCs of Tummy Tuck Risks

Anesthesia and/or Aspiration: All invasive surgeries require the use of general anesthesia and tummy tuck procedures are no different. There is a particular genetic susceptibility that makes some people prone to a very dangerous condition when they receive general anesthesia. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine which individuals are at risk. There is also a risk of aspiration during your recovery period. This can lead to potentially devastating pneumonia, but is not usually a very dangerous risk with young and healthy individuals.

Bleeding

Your plastic surgeon will want to know what medications you are taking before the tummy tuck surgery. He or she will probably recommend that you stop taking any medicines that cause blood thinning or prevent clotting for a week or two before the procedure. This is to ensure that your body will be able to heal properly after the operation.

Clots:

Blood clots are a risk with any individual that remains immobilized for any period of time. As such, it is important to get moving as soon as your doctor says it’s okay. Be sure to report any chest pain or shortness of breath as these can be signs of pulmonary embolism due to a thromboembolic event from a deep vein in your leg.

Delayed Wound Healing:

One of the most common causes of delayed wound healing is the use of cigarettes before and after tummy tuck surgery. Smoking constricts blood vessels and limits the delivery of healing products to the incision sites. This can be very dangerous as the body attempts to recover from the dramatic procedure you have just put it through. Delayed wound healing may result in separation of wound edges or excessive scar formation. Your physician will probably recommend that you quit smoking completely before your operation. If this is not possible, it is helpful to at least refrain from smoking for a few weeks or months before and after surgery.

Excessive Scar Tissue Formation:

Linked to delayed wound healing, some individuals are susceptible to forming excessive scar tissue when they heal. This can be limited or reduced by following your doctor’s pre- and post-operative orders.

Fat Tissue Necrosis:

There is a chance of tissue death and infection with any invasive surgery. When operating on fat tissue, it is important for the surgeon to take care and not leave any opportunity for infection to set in. Infection can spread through fat tissue quickly and is a dangerous risk inherent in tummy tuck procedures.

Be sure to consider these potential side effects when weighing the pros and cons of tummy tuck surgery. Talk with your plastic surgeon to find out specific details about your procedure and how you can best prepare in order to minimize the risk. A plastic surgeon worth their weight will outline a specific pre- and post-operative plan to help you get the most out of your procedure.