Learn Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): Risks, Recovery

What happens during abdominoplasty surgery?

Like all other surgeries, abdominoplasty must be conducted in a certified and accredited facility. A registered anesthesiologist must be present to treat you if you have a terrible response to the anesthesia. Check the AHPRA website to see if your anesthesiologist is registered.

 

Abdominoplasty is classified into two types:

  • Full abdominoplasty removes excess skin and tightens underlying muscles across the abdominal area, including around the navel.
  • Partial abdominoplasty eliminates extra skin below the navel and tightens only the lower abdominal muscles.

The procedure is usually carried out under general anesthesia. The operation’s length will be determined by the extent of the surgery, although it could take up to three hours.

In general, a full abdominoplasty entails:

  • The medical practitioner makes a horizontal, curving incision (cut) around the pubic hairline, running from one hip to the other.
  • The skin and fatty tissue are separated from the deeper tissue.
  • The doctor sews up and strengthens loose or divided abdominal muscles.
  • Excess fat is eliminated.
  • The excess skin is removed.
  • The navel has been relocated.
  • Stitches, tape, or clips are used to close the wounds.

All surgery must be performed in licensed and accredited facilities under the supervision of a registered anesthesiologist.

 

Immediately the following abdominoplasty

Following the surgery, you can expect:

  • A drain in the wound to help prevent fluid buildup,
  • bruising and swelling,
  • numbness in the skin between the navel and the wound, pain and discomfort,
  • inability to stand up straight,
  • to begin with, a ‘tugging’ sensation at your abdomen
  • dressings or bandages on your abdomen
  • a compression garment to help keep the swelling down

Potential Abdominoplasty Complications

Every surgery involves some level of risk. The following are some of the potential problems of abdominoplasty:

  • Wound infection that may necessitate antibiotic therapy, pain and discomfort around the incision areas
  • Hematoma (an collection of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage) (an accumulation of blood around the surgical area that may require drainage)
  • Scars that are obvious and prominent, such as keloid and hypertrophic scars – are elevated, thickened scars that occur over healed incisions.
  • Numbness around operated sites – in most cases, this is temporary and will improve over time
  • areas of skin that do not heal and may require a skin graft
  • difficulty bending forward due to tightened skin
  • excess fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma) around an operated site
  • which may necessitate one or more needle drainage procedures the need for a blood transfusion (in the unlikely event of a large amount of blood loss during surgery)
  • Blood clots, which can be fatal if they travel to the lungs, nausea and vomiting caused by the general anesthesia

This is not an exhaustive list. Other issues may be raised due to your medical history or lifestyle. Obese patients who have had abdominoplasty, for example, are more prone to have a chest infection. For more information, consult your physician.