I am scared of dying as a result of a DVT after my tummy tuck. How common is that?

While it is certainly important to be aware of the possible complications associated with abdominoplasty, the risk of death from DVT is exceptionally small: Well under 1%. Additionally that risk is not the same among all patients. In a young, non-obese, healthy person with no other major medical issues, the risk of DVT and death from pulmonary embolism is even less then in the average rates reported for the operation. There are risk stratification scores that your plastic surgeon may use to help determine what treatment options will work best for you with your procedure. These options include the use of serial compression devices in the operating room and early mobilization postoperatively (which should be done in all cases regardless of your risk factors) to using more aggressive techniques such as certain blood thinners or the use of compression garments after surgery.It is critical that you seek the advice of an experienced surgeon who is certified by the American Board of plastic surgery when deciding to proceed with your operation. This will give you the safest results with the best outcomes.I wish you the best.Dr. Gabbay

Published mortality rates associated with tummy tuck range from 0.02%
to 0.16%. These include all causes of death for one month after surgery,
with the most common one being pulmonary embolism (blood clot from legs
to lungs). To put this in perspective, the death rate for elective
C-section delivery is about 0.02%, with emergency C-sections having a
slightly higher risk. Even a normal vaginal delivery has a death rate of
0.0067%, by some estimates.

These statistics may be misleading, however, as recognition of these risks and attempting to minimize them can reduce the likelihood of any complication, including death.

For example, in the 24 years our accredited in-office surgical facility
has offered general anesthesia capability, I and one or more partners
have performed about 17000 general anesthesia procedures without a
single death, heart attack, or stroke. We have experienced two
(proven) blood clots which were not fatal or had any long-term
consequence. We now provide active (compressor-driven pumper booties) anti-embolism stockings for EVERY
patient, not just those with long operations or higher risk factors. I
insist on early patient ambulation, which helps keep the blood moving in
the patient's extremities, and I see almost all of my surgical
patients the day after surgery (yes, even on weekends), which forces
them to get up, get ready, and come to the office for recheck. We take
care to keep the patient well-hydrated during and after surgery,
minimize blood loss with careful technique during surgery, and in
general do as many of the things possible that most plastic surgeons do
to keep their patients safe.

I personally believe that inpatient hospital care after tummy tuck is a
"hidden" risk factor that I avoid with outpatient surgery. My (accredited) office surgical facility patients
are not kept (immobile) in recovery for 2-3 or more hours after
inhalation anesthesia like hospital patients, and are not put in a hospital bed with side rails
and a button to push if they want a pain shot, a bedpan, or a drink of
water. At home, my patient must do these things herself, and the
movement and activity helps to prevent blood pooling and stasis that
occurs when a patient is (un)safely and comfortably asleep (sedated) in
the hospital with all of the sick patients and bad bacteria surrounding
her!

So are there risks? Absolutely! Could you be "the one?" Yes. But is it
likely? Honestly, in a good place with a good surgeon, staff, safety practices, and outpatient TIVA anesthesia, not
really! A hospital may actually be part of the cause of DVT or PE as compared to an excellent outpatient facility. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

I often find that mothers are worried about having a complication after an elective surgery such as a tummy tuck, so you are certainly not alone.  Thankfully, DVTs are very uncommon after a tummy tuck, and you should ask your surgeon what type of prevention he or she uses to avoid a DVT.  Keep in mind that the blood clot in your leg (DVT) has to travel to your lungs (PE--pulmonary embolism) in order to be fatal, and while DVT occurrence is uncommon, PE is even more uncommon.  It is important to use appropriate intraoperative prevention measures and for you to be up and around as soon as possible after surgery.  Best of luck!