Tummy Tuck Risks

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) recent Plastic Surgery Report, more than 117,000 Americans received a tummy tuck last year, a 5% increase from the previous year.  For many in Michigan, throughout Detroit and Dundee, tummy tuck procedures offer a safe and rewarding way to gain confidence or reduce pain and suffering.

If you are considering a tummy tuck or other body contouring procedure, please call Birmingham Cosmetic Surgery & at 248-723-9370 to schedule a consultation. Our board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Rifai, will evaluate your unique situation, answer your questions and help you make the best decision about proceeding with your surgery.

What are My Risks?

No surgical procedure is entirely risk-. The threat of complications due to anesthesia or infection is always present. The most important step in reducing your risk of complications is to trust only a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to perform your procedure. Pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, or heart, liver or lung disease increase your risk of complications.

Some risks you may encounter include:

• Pain and Swelling: You will experience swelling and pain in the days following your surgery. Prescribed pain medication and doctor-recommended pain-management strategies will help. However, you may be sore for several weeks or even months.
• Numbness: Immediately following a tummy tuck, you may experience some mild numbness in the skin around your abdominal area. This loss of sensation eventually subdues after a period of time.
• Insufficient healing: It’s critical that your surgical incisions do not endure excessive motion, force or scrapes during the healing process. Poor healing can result in more significant scarring, loss of skin and a possible need for a second surgery.
• Seroma (fluid accumulation under the skin): The risk of a seroma is present in any surgical procedure. A seroma is not an infection or surgical error. Your doctor may remove accumulating fluid following the surgery with a syringe, or leave drainage tubes in place for roughly 7-10 days, depending on your circumstances.
• Scarring: The incision scar from a tummy tuck may take several months to fade, but it will never completely vanish. The size and visibility of the scar will differ for everyone, but sometimes incisions can be incorporated into a cesarean scar or be hidden along a bikini line.
• Tissue necrosis: Abdominal fatty tissue within your skin may become damaged or die. Your skin could heal within weeks on its own or require a second surgery. Your risk of tissue necrosis increases if you smoke.

How Can I Minimize My Risks?

There are several things you can do to reduce your odds of complications, including:

• Work with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon in a safe surgical facility.
• Don’t smoke for at least three weeks before your surgery.
• Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen, diet pills or herbal supplements for two weeks prior to surgery.
• Prepare your home in advance for a safe and comfortable recovery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you live in Detroit or Dundee and are wondering if a tummy tuck is right for you, call 248-723-9370 today for a consultation with board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rifai. Birmingham Cosmetic Surgery & proudly welcomes patients from Southfield, Port Huron, Jackson and Birmingham, Michigan.