Understanding the Risks of Tummy Tuck Surgery: What You Need to Know
Like any surgical procedure, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) carries certain risks and complications. However, these risks can generally be minimized through the expertise of the surgeon, the patient’s overall health, and adherence to a careful postoperative recovery plan.
Clinic Health Beauty conducts a comprehensive review of each patient’s health history prior to tummy tuck surgery. Factors such as chronic conditions, medications, previous surgeries, psychological issues, and infectious diseases are evaluated by our aesthetic and plastic surgeons. After a thorough assessment, a personalized plan is created, and patients are invited to our facility in Istanbul, Turkey.
Common Risks of Tummy Tuck Surgery
Infections
As with any surgical intervention, there is a risk of infection at the surgical site. It is therefore important to strictly follow the rules of sterilization and hygiene.
Cosmetic surgeries, like any surgical intervention, carry a risk of infection. Infections can occur during or after surgery and can cause serious complications. A number of measures are taken to reduce the risk of infection during plastic surgeries, but it may not be possible to completely eliminate it. Here are some of the factors that increase the risk of infection during plastic surgery…
A. Open Wounds:** Wounds that occur on the skin and tissues during surgery allow bacteria to enter the body.
B. Sterilization: Inadequate sterilization or unhygienic use of surgical instruments and materials may increase the risk of infection.
C. Patient Condition: In some patients, the immune system may be weak, which may increase the risk of infection. In addition, bad habits such as smoking can also negatively affect the healing process and the risk of infection.
D. Postoperative Care: Proper postoperative wound care is very important. Proper cleaning of sutures and changing bandages can reduce the risk of infection.
E. Operating Room Environment: The sterility of the environment in which the surgery is performed and the use of surgical equipment under hygienic conditions also affect the risk of infection.
Symptoms of infection after surgery may include pain, redness, swelling, fever, pus or foul-smelling discharge. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. Infections can usually be successfully treated if they are diagnosed early.
Bleeding
Bleeding may occur during or after tummy tuck surgery. In rare cases, this bleeding can be serious and may require intervention.
Cosmetic surgeries, like any surgical intervention, carry the risk of bleeding. Bleeding can occur during or after surgery and can cause serious complications. It is important to use surgical equipment and techniques correctly to minimize the risk of bleeding. Here are some factors that increase the risk of bleeding in plastic surgery:
A. Surgical techniques and Experience: The surgical techniques used may affect the risk of bleeding. The risk of bleeding increases especially when surgery is not performed in accordance with the sensitivity and vascular structure of the tissues.
B. Patient Factor: Some patients may have health problems such as blood clotting or bleeding disorders. These conditions may increase the risk of bleeding during or after surgery.
C: Medications Used: Medications that thin the blood or prevent clotting can increase the risk of bleeding during or after surgery. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor about your medications before surgery.
D. Surgical Injuries: Damaging tissues or cutting vessels during surgery can increase the risk of bleeding.
E. Postoperative Care: Inappropriate activities or inadequate wound care in the postoperative period may cause bleeding to continue or increase.
Hematoma and Seroma
Blood accumulation (hematoma) or serum accumulation (seroma) may occur at the surgical site. These usually require drainage or additional intervention.
Tissue Loss or Inadequate Healing
Tissue healing problems can occur after surgery, which can lead to loss of skin tissue or inadequate healing.
Risks Related to Anesthesia
When general anesthesia is used, anesthesia-related complications may occur.
Embolism
Embolism is among the risks of tummy tuck surgery. Embolism is a condition that usually occurs when a foreign substance such as a blood clot, fat embolus, air bubble or tumor fragment enters the circulatory system and is carried to a different part of the body by the blood flow. This foreign material can break away from the circulatory system and block a blood vessel, blocking the blood flow that supplies it. Embolism can cause serious health problems, usually when it is carried to vital organs such as the lungs, brain, heart or legs.
Undesirable Aesthetic Results
The results obtained after surgery may be different than expected. This can include conditions such as skin irregularities, asymmetry or unwanted scars. Many of these risks can be minimized or avoided when managed by a properly trained and experienced plastic surgeon. Carefully following pre- and post-operative instructions can reduce risks and improve the healing process. Prior to any surgery, it is important that patients speak openly with their doctor to discuss these risks and benefits.
