Can a tummy tuck cause death?

Question

My friend's sister in law had a tummy tuck /breast augmentation done 2 weeks ago in tj, she died this past thursday from a heart attack, 10 days after surgery, she was a healthy 39 year old mother of two. what could have possibly gone wrong??

Michael Zarrabi, MD · Answer

This is terrible news and I am sorry to hear about the loss.  Its very hard to speculate in these cases.  The most likely cause of death would be a blood clot in legs that traveled to the lungs.  The risk of death after cosmetic surgery is extremely low overall.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. The best published data I can find regarding mortality rates associated with tummy tuck surgery range from 0.02% to 0.16%.   In other words, mortality rates are extremely low. The most common cause of that is related to pulmonary embolism (blood clots that moved to the patient's lungs).

Your best bet: choose your plastic surgeon very carefully; everything else including good judgment/advice/planning, anesthesia provider and safe surgery facility will follow.

This careful selection should give you some peace of mind that you will be safe around the time of surgery.

Best wishes.

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

I
am terribly sorry to hear of your loss, a true tragedy.  I agree with my
colleagues in that board certified plastic surgeons and those who are members
of the ASPS are held to the highest standards of safety for performing surgical
procedures.  A medical autopsy could help uncover what happened with your
friends sister as it is possible there could have been underlying medical issues
that went undetected.  My sincere best to you and your friend.  -Dr.
Coan

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

can occur and I'm sorry to hear of this.  An autopsy should be done to determine the actual cause of death.  It certainly is possible she could have had a heart condition that led to this.  But there are also many other causes that must be considered such as a blood clot traveling to her lungs.  Without an autopsy, it will only be speculation as to what may have happened.

Joseph Franklin, MD · Answer

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your sister in law.   Unfortunately, this brings up our concerns about medical tourism.   Board Certified Plastic Surgeons NEVER recommend having medical procedures done in foreign countries.  The rules and regulations which govern western medicine are meant to keep patients safe.  It is impossible to guarantee best medical practice in other locations.  An autopsy is the only way to confirm the case of death.   The most likely cause is Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot to the lungs). Very sorry for your loss.

Can a tummy tuck cause death?

Answers (5)