How Common is Infection with Abdominoplasty?

My nieghbor came over today and told me the horror story of her ongoing 4 month MRSA infection after a hysterectomy and now i am terrified. Ive been worried about going under general but this has me ready to cancel the whole thing. How common is it to have a bad infection? I know im in the lower risk group but im still afraid something like this will happen to me.

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by averlyn in Drums

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Infection after Tummy Tuck

Data from a large national study showed that surgical site infections, in all all patients across the board (in all types of surgery) is approximately 3%. Infections following tummy tuck surgery in healthy patients are exceedingly rare (approximately 1.5%). Further, out of all infections, MRSA infections represent a small percentage. So, one MRSA infection in your neighbor should not change your mind when 98.5% of patients do not have any infection following a tummy tuck. ... more

Tummy tuck impossible infection

You can have an infection after any type of surgery that requires an incision. Using your friend's experience in this case, may not be helpful as she had an operation that entered a body cavity. This, in general, creates a higher risk of complications including infection. Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck does carry a 1% or less infection rate overall. If you have concerns about your upcoming surgery, you may want to contact your surgeon directly. He may... more

Extremely rare

Infection is very unusual after surgery. In my practice is way lower than 1% of cases. Part of the reason is how we perform surgery and the setting - out of the hospital. The important part of the healing process is also patient’s daily self-care routine. Patient needs to pay a special attention to the instruction given by the surgeon. Otherwise it can result in compromising the results of the surgery or delaying healing process.

Infection following abdominoplasty

Significant infections requiring IV antibiotics, surgery or admission to the hospital are rare following abdominoplasty. Small microabscesses are infrequent, but do occur. These usually only require probing with a q-tip and removing a small piece of dissolvable stitch under the skin.

Tummy tuck and infection

Thankfully, severe infections are not common after abdominoplasty surgery. When they do occur, they may commonly involve small localized abscesses at the incision line which can be addressed with drainage in the office and oral antibiotics.

Infection is uncommon after abdominoplasty

Infection after abdominoplasty is less than 1%, one out of a hundred. The rate can be higher if your medical history includes smoking or diabetes. MRSA infections are rarer still, and may depend on where your procedure is performed. Though there are some community acquired MRSA infections, most occur in a hospital setting. Surgery in an office based facility should reduce your risk. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Infection and abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty is considered a clean-clean case and it carries a very small risk of post operative infection. It is lower risk than hysterectomy.

Abdominoplasty and Infection

There is certainly a risk of infection with any surgical procedure. If permanent sutures are used, then these sutures can become infected. However, this procedure does carry a very low overall risk of infection when compared with surgeries on the internal structures like the bowel or uterus.

Jeff Scott, MD

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Everett Plastic Surgeon

Infection after abdominoplasty is rare

If you are a nonsmoker, not too overweight, and in general good health then the chances of a serious infection with a tummy tuck are extremely small. One advantage of having it done in an accredited outpatient facility by a board-certified palstic surgeon is that it is likely they do primarily cosmetic cases, while hospitals deal with sick people and you may actually be exposed to more germs in a hospital!

Risk of Infection

Infection is potential complication after any surgical or non-surgical procedure. While you can always find horror stories, do not let your neighbour's experience scare you. Assuming your procedure will be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in a properly accredited facility, your risk of such an relentless infection should be very small. Follow your surgeon's pre and post-surgical instruction, avoid smoking and take care of your wounds as instructed by... more