What Are the Risks of Getting a Tummy Tuck?

Patients generally feel sluggish and tired after general anesthesia for tummy tuck, but provided that they do not have significant problems with their heart and lungs, most people don't have significant problems. There are many general risks from tummy tuck, which are outlined in the following paragraphs. Although very infrequent, it is possible to bleed excessively after tummy tuck and require another procedure to stop the bleeding and drain the accumulated blood (hematoma). Some patients... more

A tummy tuck can be performed safely if performed by a board certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the procedure if completed in an accredited facility. Of course, patient selection is critical. If you are healthy and a non-smoker, the risks for general anesthesia is very very low. Your surgeon should peform a complete history and targeted physical exam. If there are any concerns, often an internist will be involved to obtain clearance... more

Hi, the risks of any surgery include bleeding and infection. With a tummy tuck, the specific risks also include seroma (collection of fluid under the skin), scarring, and prolonged numbness of the skin. General anesthesia is much safer than many people think, and reactions are very unusual. Your prior surgery does not put you at higher risk for surgery. You should make sure that you use a licensed center and a board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure your safety. In terms of recovery,... more

Dear Mom There are certains risks in surgery that are pertinent to almost all procedure - bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma (bleeding under the skin) and seromas (fluid collections under the skin. There are also complications that are particular to tummy tucks such as asymmetry, skin loss, elevation of the pubic area, and the one that would be most feared of pulmonary emboli or blood clots to the lung. All of these should be discussed with you by your plastic surgeon prior to any... more

As with all surgical procedures, there are risks with a tummy tuck.  Bleeding and infection should be extremely rare.  A seroma is a nusiance complication and the most dangerous risk is a deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. 

A complication is an unwanted event that cannot be foreseen or prevented. Every operation has them. Assuming you do not have major systemic diseases (heart disease, insulin dependent diabetes, some autoimmune diseases and do not smoke (as you said), tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is an extremely safe procedure with a VERY low rate of complications. Among its complications are bleeding, infection, unsightly scar, blood clots in the deep veins (DVT) which can migrate to the lungs (pulmonary... more

There are risks to crossing the street or flying in an airplane and, of course, there are risks to any surgical procedure.  These risks can occur regardless of surgeon or technique. These include but are not limited to: infection, hematoma/seroma, discomfort, wound breakdown, hypertrophic scar formation, asymmetry, unfavorable healing, palpable sutures, depressed scars, deep venous thrombosis with/without pulmonary embolism, distortion with muscular contraction, discomfort, numbness,... more

Hi! 1) In Manhattan, we do a tummy tuck in our office operating room. You walk out and go home with a nurse 3 hours after surgery. So that gives you an idea that the recovery is uncomfortable, but not that terrible. 2) It is very safe surgery. The one serious complication that does happen occasionally is a blood clot in the leg that can go to the lung (pulmonary embolus). We (and most plastic surgeons) use a number of measures to prevent blood clots.

A TT, like all surgery, carries a risk of the anesthetic, bleeding, and infection. In addition, the is a risk of poor scar formation and tissue necrosis which is greatly reduced for you since you do not smoke. Your previous anesthetic, assuming there were no complications, should have no adverse effect on your TT.

All surgery carries risks. They are related to the procedure, the ansthesia and the patient. With any surgery there is bleeding, pain, a risk of infection, scars, delayed wound healing, asymmetry, irregularities, loss of sensation, recurrence of the problem and lack of patient satisfaction. Most of these are mild and uncommon. There are risks of dying with surgery but this is rare. In healthy patients the risks are very low. The risks and consequences form anesthesia are also very low. It... more

Abdominoplasty is a very safe cosmetic procedure when performed in appropriate candidates. If you're healthy and don't smoke, you are low risk for general anesthesia. As far as answering all your questions, I suggest going in for a consultation with a board-ceritified plastic surgeon. All your questions will be answered at the first meeting with your surgeon. Good luck! Dr. Singer