Tummy Tuck Risks and Complications

Newport Beach – Orange County – California

Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure, and like all surgical procedures it carries with it some risk of complication. These risks diminish substantially when your surgery is performed by an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Hendricks. During your initial consultation, Dr. Hendricks will discuss with you any concerns and potential risks involved with the procedure. Please contact Dr. Hendricks today if you are interested in the tummy tuck procedure.

Tummy Tuck Incision Risks

Any time you undergo a surgical procedure that requires an incision, you run the risk of infection. Proper care for the incision areas greatly reduces this risk. Nicotine has also been show to increase the risk of tissue loss and delays in healing. It is recommended that you quit smoking a few weeks prior to surgery, and continue to abstain throughout the entire healing process.

Nerve Damage

The incisions required for a tummy tuck usually result in some numbness in the abdominal region. Nerves will need to be separated in your lower abdomen to re-drape the skin, and nerves in your upper abdomen may need to be stretched. This numbness is, in most cases, minimal and temporary. In rare cases, return of normal sensation may be incomplete. Again, it is imperative to have a skilled plastic surgeon, like Dr. Hendricks, perform this surgery to reduce your risks.

Aesthetic Imperfections

Immediately following your tummy tuck, you may notice areas of the abdomen that are uneven or appear distorted. These imperfections tend to even out during the recovery process, but may require additional procedures like liposuction to reshape and contour your stomach.

General Anesthesia

Abdominoplasty requires general anesthesia. Most healthy people will experience no complications with general anesthesia. People who may experience problems with general anesthesia include those:

  • With heart disease
  • With lung, or kidney disorders
  • Who take over the counter medications like aspirin
  • Who smoke or use alcohol
  • People with allergies to anesthetics

For these people, risks can include:

  • Lung infections
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Mental confusion
  • In rare cases, death

It is important that you discuss with Dr. Hendricks your complete medical history to make sure you are not at high risk of reaction to general anesthesia because of these risk factors.

Complications are infrequent, or even rare, and most often temporary.

 If you live in Newport Beach, California and are considering a tummy tuck, please contact experienced and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hendricks for a private consultation to discuss the benefits and risks of this surgery.