You’ll likely have some bruising around your incision site for several weeks after surgery, but this should fade with time. Bruising may also occur in other areas of your body where there is trauma from the surgery itself (such as legs). If you smoke cigarettes regularly, it’s recommended that you quit before undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery—including tummy tucks—because this increases your risk for infection as well as other complications like blood clots or pulmonary embolism (PE).
A tummy tuck is a major surgery that can be performed to remove fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure takes several hours, and during that time, you will be under anesthesia. Tummy tucks are typically done to repair loose or stretched skin in the midsection, but they can also be done to remove fat deposits and tighten muscles. During the procedure, excess skin is removed from your abdomen using a scalpel or laser. You might need to wear compression garments after surgery to help reduce swelling and speed up recovery time.
Read on to learn more on How Dangerous Is A Tummy Tuck and Gastrointestinal Problems After Tummy Tuck
How Dangerous Is A Tummy Tuck
There are risks associated with a tummy tuck procedure, these can include infection, seroma, blood clots and Haematoma.
There is an element of risk in any operation, but when performed by a highly qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon these risks are minimised.
Complications associated with the tummy tuck operation include:
- Mild infection – this is relatively common, but usually clears up within a fortnight of the procedure
- Haematoma – this is essentially a severe bruise – a collection of blood under the skin in response to bleeding. Surgical drainage may be required
- Seroma – a collection of plasma under the skin, causing swelling in the lower abdomen. This is treated by wearing a compression garment, or drainage in more extreme cases. Mr Karidis uses internal quilting sutures, which drastically reduce the likelihood of developing seroma
- Blood clots – these are very rare and Mr Karidis stipulates that patients wear TED stockings before the operation in order to reduce risk.
The procedure generally results in some discomfort, particularly during the first week as the body recovers. We provide a pressure garment and pain relief medication after the operation to reduce this.
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
Abdominoplasty – commonly known as a ‘tummy tuck’ – is a procedure which tightens the abdominal muscles, reducing excess skin and fatty tissue from the middle and lower abdomen.
A tummy tuck is designed to reduce a drooping or protruding abdomen, resulting in a firm, flat stomach. For this reason, you can sometimes achieve more significant results by combining the tummy tuck with liposuction.
WHAT DOES THE TUMMY TUCK OPERATION INVOLVE?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. A long incision is made from hip to hip, beneath the bikini line if possible. An incision is made around the umbilicus (tummy button) to free it from surrounding tissues. Skin and fat is then peeled off the abdominal wall up to the lower rib cage.
The exposed muscles are stitched together in order to create a narrow waist, increasing the firmness of the abdominal wall. Any extra tissue is removed and drainage tubes are placed under the skin to collect any extra fluid that may accumulate. A new hole is made for the umbilicus and the flap of skin is reattached to the initial incision.
Due to the fact that abdominoplasties require general anaesthetic, an overnight stay at the clinic is necessary. After the operation you’re put on a drip to provide fluids and antibiotics. A compression garment is worn to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Drainage tubes are usually removed within 48 hours of the operation. Mr Karidis uses absorbable sutures, so there is no need for any stitch removal.
IS GENERAL ANAESTHESIA DANGEROUS?
General anaesthetics, when correctly administered, are largely safe and represent much less of a risk than the operation itself. However, general anaesthesia is associated with a variety of side effects as well as a few rare but serious complications.
Common side effects of general anaesthetic include:
- Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
- Shivering
- Confusion and memory loss
- Bladder problems
- A sore throat or mouth (from the breathing tube)
Serious complications of general anaesthetics include:
- Anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic)
- Waking up during an operation
- Death (1 in 100,000 operations)
It is extremely rare that such severe complications result from cosmetic surgery procedures, however – they normally occur as a result of emergency surgery, when the risks associated with general anaesthesia are exacerbated by trauma.
You will meet your anaesthetist before the operation to discuss your medical history, lifestyle and any other factors (such as allergies) in order to minimise such risks.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, as well as tightens the muscles. Tummy tucks are performed to improve the appearance of the abdomen, as well as remove stretch marks or loose skin.
Tummy tuck surgery is generally safe, but there are some complications you should be aware of before your surgery.
Warning signs after a tummy tuck
It’s important to know what to expect after a tummy tuck so you can recognize any potential complications. Here are some warning signs that may indicate an infection or other problem:
Warmth, redness or swelling around the surgical site
Pain at the surgical site that doesn’t go away with pain medication
A fever (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
After a tummy tuck, you can expect some pain, swelling and bruising. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:
Swelling that lasts longer than two weeks.
Pain that persists for more than two weeks.
Bleeding from the incision site that continues after a few dressings changes.
Infection at the incision site (redness, warmth, swelling).
A tummy tuck is a major operation, and you should expect some pain and swelling.
The most common side effects are:
o Stitches that break or come undone.
o Bleeding under the skin (haematoma).
o Infection.
o Wound breakdown (dehiscence).
The following are more serious complications that may require further medical attention:
o Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in the leg veins, which can break off and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). DVT is more likely after a long flight with little movement, but it can happen at any time after surgery. It’s important to move around as soon as possible after surgery to prevent DVT. If you develop symptoms of DVT (swollen leg, pain in leg), contact your surgeon immediately for advice.
Gastrointestinal Problems After Tummy Tuck
It is not uncommon to have a problem with your bowels after an abdominoplasty. I would suggest that you contact your surgeon and discuss this matter with him/her.
I have had many patients who have developed gastroenteritis after tummy tucks.
Most of these people experience diarrhea and have a fever; some develop nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. This condition can be treated with antibiotics and drinking lots of fluids to replace the lost fluids from vomiting and diarrhea. Most patients recover in about two weeks without any further problems.
Gastrointestinal Problems After Tummy Tuck
Gastrointestinal problems after tummy tuck are not uncommon. The general causes for these digestive issues include:
Dumping syndrome – This occurs when there is an increase in the amount of food that passes through the stomach into the small intestine. As a result, the patient experiences nausea, bloating and diarrhea. This can be caused by overeating or eating high-fat foods.
Nausea – Some patients may experience nausea due to anesthesia or surgery-related pain. This is usually temporary and will subside within a few days after surgery. It’s important to keep in mind that some patients may need to take medications such as Zofran or Reglan before their procedure to avoid nausea after surgery.
Constipation – A few days after surgery, you may experience constipation due to a decrease in the amount of nutrients your body absorbs from food and because you’re lying flat for long periods of time (which can affect your bowel movements). If this becomes an issue for you, we recommend taking stool softeners such as Colace (docusate) or Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350).