C-Section Vs Tummy Tuck Risks?

Thank you for your questions. 
I'm commonly asked which hurts more a C section or a tummy tuck ?
 In general I think the tummy tuck will hurt slightly more because in a full tummy tuck the muscles are tightened from the bottom of the rib cage all the way to the pubic area, whereas in a C section most of the surgical focus and suturing is just in the lower abdomen.
C-section has its own inherent risks when dealing with and suturing a uterus.  I really can't comment on those additional risks because most of what I do, most of what plastic surgeons do lies outside the abdominal wall.
Unfortunately, any surgical procedure has the risk of blood clots and pulmonary emboli.  Fortunately, these risks are relatively small. Many plastic surgeons provide prophylaxis to minimize the risks of the venous thrombosis.  You may wish to discuss how your plastic surgeon approaches these issues.
One of the theories about why Venus blood clots occur during tummy tuck is that the intra abdominal pressure is increased when the abdominal wall muscles are tightened.  This increase in pressure slows down Venus return from the lower extremities.  When Venus flow is slowed down there can be a higher incidence of a blood clotting. 
During pregnancy an enlarged uterus can also compromised Venus return from the lower extremities leading to stasis and even varicose veins. 
Fortunately, while these things are true the risk of deep vwnous thrombosos in either surgery is relatively small.  Unfortunately, the risk is not zero so you must be comfortable in accepting these risks before you embark on surgery.
Lastly, I feel that it is very important for anyone who undergoes the surgeries to have support  at home.  Walking clearly improves the situation and minimize the risk of lower extremity DVT.  I find that most of my patients do better when they have someone at home to help them in and out of bed and encourage them to ambulate.
 
Best wishes as you decide whether to embark on your surgery.

Venous thrombosis, or clots, is the complication we worry about the most with a tummy tuck.  The risk overall is low, and all precautions should be taken to reduce the risk.  These include the use of compression stocking during surgery as well as early ambulatory.  I do not advocate the use of blood thinners in tummy tucks.

C-section patients have just had their pelvic veins decompressed from uterine pressure during the pregnancy. The gravid uterus causes lower extremity venous dilation (this is why varicosities and hemorrhoids occur more frequently with pregnancy), and after the C-section, the venous blood flow can be more sluggish, activities may be temporarily reduced while recovering, and hydration may also be diminished, especially with breast-feeding. All leading to an identifiably slightly higher risk for blood clots.

Tummy tucks do not involve a gravid uterus or pressure on pelvic vessels, but tightening the abdominal wall can cause increased intra-abdominal pressure that decreases venous return slightly, causing a identifiably slightly higher risk for blood clots.

But to try to compare these would require statistical analysis, and the risk-reduction/prevention is a topic of vital concern to plastic surgeons and gynecologists alike, and much more pertinent!

Hydration, compression stockings, early ambulation, and intra-operative sequential compression boots or leggings are all things most if not all plastic surgeons utilize to reduce risks as much as possible. Some surgeons will also add anticoagulant therapy (especially in higher-risk patients such as Factor V Leiden, or previous blood clot patients), but that is done on an individual basis taking into account and weighing the pros and cons of increased bleeding and re-operation risk! (2 operations doubles the "whatever" risk of blood clots, so this may actually not be a wise decision).

Bottom line here: talk to your surgeon and listen to his/her advice. But nothing is gained by being irrationally fearful. Yes, blood clots rarely occur with tummy tuck. But so do traffic accidents on the way to your tummy tuck. Wear your seat belt and drive defensively. Wear your compression booties, TED hose, stay hydrated, ambulate early, and "pump" your feet while in bed or chair to keep your blood moving. You will then have done the best possible, and you should do just fine! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen