How Often Do People Die During Tummy Tuck Procedures?

Death is an exceedingly rare complication after tummy tuck. The most commonly feared reason for death after abdominoplasty is pulmonary embolism after deep venous thrombosis (DVT). In layman's terms, a blood clot originating from the lungs can break off and go to the lungs. The best way to treat this complication is through prevention. Early walking after surgery is important and, if your doctor identifies you as high risk, you may need blood thinners during the initial postoperative period to minimize your risk.

It's hard to know how mahy inches you will lose from around your waist. The best possible results from surgery come from patient's who are close to their ideal body weight.

Best of luck - Sam Jejurikar, MD

 

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.

Like with any operations, complications can occur during and after tummy tuck surgery. Some complications are life-threatening, but these problems are exceedingly rare. Some of these complications include pulmonary embolism (blood clot to lungs), bowel perforation, infection, and wound healing problems. Seek out of a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.