A tummy tuck is one of the most popular plastic surgeries, which is considered a very safe, highly effective procedure, with high rates of success and low rates of complications.
Generally, any surgery including plastic surgery bears some risks. It is important to be clearly informed about all potential risks that might be associated with a tummy tuck and weigh them versus the potential outcomes and benefits you would gain from this procedure so that you can create an informed decision
What is a tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck procedure is the most effective way to reach your goal of getting rid of the loose and droopy abdomen, obtaining a thinner, more firm abdomen, and creating a more toned abdomen that boosts your body image. And these outcomes can never be achieved by either diet, exercise, or nonsurgical alternatives.
Why are tummy tuck results unique?
The outcomes you are obtaining from this procedure are unique since they are achieved by removing excess skin and fat, tightening the abdomen connective tissue with sutures that are dissolved, restoring weakened or separated muscles, and repositioning the remaining skin to create a flat belly.
What results can a tummy tuck not achieve?
Weight loss, although your clothes may run two or more sizes down, this procedure is not a suitable way for losing weight and do not consider a substitute for diet and exercise.
Factors resulting in the protruded, saggy abdomen
- Aging.
- Genetic factors.
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Cesarean section.
- Massive weight loss.
- Significant weight fluctuations.
All these factors contribute to a saggy belly even in individuals with normal body weight and proportions.
What are the possible risks of a tummy tuck surgery?
Almost all risks that are associated with this procedure can be avoided or minimized by your skilled surgeon.
Generally speaking, healthy nonsmokers patients are less likely to experience complications from the procedure, while, performing multiple procedures at the same time, patients who have any serious health conditions, and heavy smokers have a higher likelihood of experiencing complications.
The risks that might be associated with the tummy tuck can be classified into:
- Risks that are generally associated with any other surgery.
- Risks that are specifically related to a tummy tuck.
General risks
Despite being a major procedure, it’s considered less invasive than a cesarean section you might perform once or twice to get your baby. It bears the same risks as any other surgery.
Anesthesia Risks
A tummy tuck is usually performed under epidural anesthesia together with intravenous sedation, but, if it’s performed in combination with other procedures such as breast augmentation it would be done under general anesthesia.
To avoid
Choose a highly certified and skilled operating room team by choosing an accredited facility that will ensure the skilled anesthetic who is trained to minimize anesthesia complications.
Bruising and swelling
It is normal after any type of surgery to experience some bruising and swelling, so do not rule out their occurrence with tummy tuck surgery.
Ideally, it takes several weeks at a maximum to completely resolve, only in rare cases could stay longer.
To avoid
follow all your plastic surgeon’s instructions for the recovery period and keep well hydrated to ensure a smooth recovery.
Hematoma
Bruising might be more severe and develop a hematoma, which is a collection of blood under the skin.
Hematoma is a potential complication of any surgery including tummy tuck.
To avoid
Drainage is a small tube your surgeon places to absorb the blood and any excess fluids to minimize the risk of developing a hematoma.
Avoid massaging, bumping, or compressing the areas of the incisions.
Infection
The risk of developing an infection is common in any surgery including tummy tuck.
To avoid
Antibiotics with proper microbial coverage are given pre and post-procedure for the proper duration.
Contact your surgeon if you experience any abnormal pain, swelling, redness, fever, or chills.
Poor wound healing
Typically it takes one to two weeks for the wounds to heal after this procedure, if it takes more time it is considered a delayed wound healing.
Delayed wound healing most common risks include mainly smoking, and poor health status.
Specific risks associated with a tummy tuck
The previous risks are those risks that might associate with any other surgery you may perform one day.
But the following risks might be specifically associated with a tummy tuck.
Changes in Skin Sensation
You might notice some reduction in the sensation or some numbness in the abdominal area directly after the procedure.
This sensation is temporary and takes up to six weeks to completely resolve on its own, if it persists for a longer time refer to your surgeon.
Scarring
Scars after a tummy tuck is not a risk but a feature of the procedure. Some patients choose a less-invasive skin tightening procedure or choose non-invasive options to avoid the scar of an abdominoplasty.
But are scars a big deal to make you reconsider performing abdominoplasty?
Scars size
The length, as well as the visibility of the scar, varies according to the technique of the tummy tuck procedure, the degree of correction desired, and how much skin, and fats your surgeon removes.
For example, a full abdominoplasty scar length might reach from hip bone to hip bone and, it also involves another scar around the navel area, while, a mini-tummy tuck includes no incision near the navel area and a small, easily hidden scar in the pubic region.
Scar visibility
The surgeon always takes into account performing the incision along the bikini line, so it’s normally less noticeable, and the scars left after abdominoplasty usually fade over time, in addition, removing and smoothing away a C-section scar is part of a tummy tuck.
Is a tummy tuck worth the risk?
The short answer is yes it is worth it since all risks that might be associated with this procedure are not more than risks that are associated with any other surgery, in addition, all these risks can be avoided.
On the other hand, the benefits that you obtain are permanent, and extremely change your body image to a younger, tighter, firmer look.
Choosing the best surgeon
If you spend a lot of time deeply searching for risks that might take place you will get very anxious and will not take any step forward, but spend this time searching for a skilled plastic surgeon which is considered the cornerstone in minimizing any risk that might occur.
Dr. Ali Gaber performs an acceptable number of successful procedures yearly with a high rate of satisfaction and is always up-to-date with all news in the plastic surgery techniques field.
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