Risk of necrosis after tummy tuck?

What is necrosis and how is it related to the risks of tummy tuck surgery?  I've been trying to read up on all the risks and benefits of this procedure and this topic isn't exactly clear to me.

5 answers to “Risk of necrosis after tummy tuck?”

A: Necrosis after Tummy Tuck

J. Vicente P. Poblete, MD

This is a potential problem after tummy tuck. It is when abdominal skin (above incision line) turns black and dies. May be due to disruption of blood supply and/or outflow. Predisposing factors would be smoking, diabetes, vascular disease. Really important to discuss expectations and possible complications... more

A: Tummy tuck necrosis

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Necrosis is death for the skin. In tummy tuck, it occurs in the lower abdomen near your incision and can occur around the belly button. If you are a properly selected, healthy, non-smoker with no disease of your blood vessels, and the surgery is done correctly, necrosis should not happen. Smokers and people... more

A: Necrosis is death

Richard P. Rand, MD

Necrosis associated with tummy tuck surgery is describing skin death that can happen if a tummy tuck is done on a smoker, a patient with multiple abdominal scars, or is perhaps done too tightly. It is caused by inadequate blood flow to keep the skin alive. If this happens, it can cause very delayed healing... more

A: Skin necrosis is a possible but fairly uncommon tummy tuck risk

Caroline Lee Min, MD

Skin necrosis is a possible but fairly uncommon risk of having tummy tuck surgery.  It occurs when there is not enough circulation to the tissue and the involved skin and fat can die. During tummy tuck surgery, the abdominal tissue is lifted off of the muscle layer and part of the circulation is disrupted... more

A: Necrosis after Tummy Tuck unlikely to happen

Francisco Canales, MD

Hello msmartha, Necrosis refers to actual loss of tissue due to lack of blood supply. That is extremely unusual and mostly happens in a smoker or a diabetic patient. A major infection would be another reason for necrosis. We ask anyone who smokes to refrain from any form of nicotine for at least one month... more

Comments

scared AnaC
1 post
19 Jun 2009

I have Necosis which was removed andsuffer alot after the huge wholle opening inthe removed area and inthe actual incition frt side also. I had my surgertinSTRACKS, I am not satisfied with their staff and treatments so far. ANY Help u can recommend????advice ECT??? THANKS

kim t
unregistered guest

17 Jul 2009

I had a tummy tuck in March 09.I was not a large person size 2-4 to begin with and very athletic but had a little extra fat and skin after kids. After 2 weeks my Dr. took out drains. But my stomach would still collect fluid and he was draining every week with a needle for 5 weeks after. But then the scar site would not heal and started turning very dark and would discharge small amounts of fluid in spots. I had to wear a garment for months to help with swelling. After several months in June(6/10/09) he said he would have to redo on one side with lipo. I agreed and now my stomach has large hardened areas all over especially around the navel about8" in dia.I believe this is fat necrosis, and am very frightend as to what can be done to correct this. Will it ever be normal? My doctor is away and I have been going in once a week to have the nurse do an ultrasound. Please give me info as to what can be done. Thank you, Kim

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