Tummy tuck, clinically known as abdominoplasty, is one of the major body contouring cosmetic surgery procedures, designed to create a tighter and flatter abdomen.
The procedure should ideally be performed by an experienced and fully trained surgeon to minimize the risk of complications. The patient should be aware of the potential risks before they sign the mandatory consent forms for the surgery.
During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of tummy tuck, including the associated risks and side effects.
The surgeon’s first concern will be to help the patient make a well-considered decision after assessing the risks and the benefits. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman provides tummy tuck surgery to patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and surrounding locations in The Buckeye State.
Potential Complications
Poor Reaction to Anesthesia
The surgeon will usually perform a tummy tuck using general anesthesia. While the patient’s fitness to undergo anesthesia will be determined beforehand, in rare cases the patient may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be present in the operating room to anticipate any problem early and address it in time.
Blood Clotting
Some patients may have a tendency of clot formation, while in other rare cases a blood clot may develop inside a blood vessel. This can obstruct the blood flow. In extremely rare situations, the clot may travel to the brain, heart or lungs, posing a serious threat to the patient.
Infection
To minimize the infection risk, the surgeon will ensure that the tummy tuck cosmetic surgery procedure is performed in a completely sterile operating environment. Following the procedure, the patient will be given instructions to care for the incision sites. The surgeon may prescribe antibiotics for a few days to further reduce post-operative infection risk.
Poor Healing
In case of a full traditional tummy tuck, it will take about two weeks for the bruising and pain to resolve, while swelling will disappear gradually over several weeks. However, a few patients may experience delayed healing and may continue to have discomfort beyond two weeks. Smoking should be strictly avoided for a few weeks before and after the surgery to minimize this risk.
Unfavorable Scarring
In a full tummy tuck surgery, some amount of scarring is inevitable. But an experienced surgeon will be able to minimize visible scars by placing the incisions in discreet, natural creases. In exceptional cases, the scars may still be more apparent due to various reasons.
Safety Information
The ASPS data shows that abdominoplasty has a complication rate of less than five percent. Infection and clotting are the most common risks, while hypoxia, fluid accumulation, hypotension, and pulmonary dysfunction are rare complications.
Although tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure, but the rate of complications is relatively lower than many other cosmetic surgery procedures. The risk of fluid accumulation and infection can be minimized by placing temporary drain tubes beneath the incision areas. Outstanding, poignant, and pragmatic plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman receives patients from Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and other cities and towns in this part of the country for tummy tuck surgery.
To learn more about cosmetic treatment and procedures or to schedule a consultation by Cleveland Ohio area plastic surgeon, Dr. Bram Kaufman, please contact us at 1-216-778-2245 or click here.