Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Risks and Complications

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical process to tighten and shape the abdomen, and in certain circumstances may be covered by medical insurance policies.

If the abdominal wall becomes loose due to significant weight loss, multiple pregnancies or age-related witheredness, an abdominoplasty is an ideal way of rejuvenating it. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia.

What is an abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty (often referred to as “tummy tuck”) is a surgical procedure which removes extra fat and skin from the abdominal region, tightening muscles while improving skin laxity caused by multiple pregnancies, loose abdominal wall muscles or fat pockets remaining after weight loss. It is frequently performed on women after multiple pregnancies who experience loose skin as a result; men or women who have achieved significant weight loss but still possess pockets of stubborn belly fat can also benefit.

An abdominoplasty procedure typically entails making an incision from hipbone to hipbone along the bikini line from hipbone to hipbone, enabling your surgeon to contour and remove excess skin and fat of the abdominal wall. He or she may move your belly button or even install drainage tubes; the process usually lasts around two hours.

Mini-abdominoplasties employ shorter incisions. This procedure allows surgeons to safely extract pockets of fat below your navel without moving your belly button – usually within one or two hours.

Liposuction may be combined with abdominoplasty in order to further sculpt and refine the waistline, however it’s important to remember that an abdominoplasty won’t prevent you from gaining weight again in the future, nor provide solutions for people struggling with obesity issues.

Abdominoplasty may also benefit people suffering from hernias in their stomach. Depending on its size and location, your plastic surgeon may be able to repair it during an abdominoplasty procedure or refer you to another specialist who can perform simultaneous hernia repair surgery and abdominoplasty surgery.

It is crucial that you select a medical practitioner with experience and training in performing abdominoplasty. Ask to see their certificates from AHPRA registration (you can search their database) as this may give insight into what you should expect. Furthermore, only select procedures performed within licensed and accredited facilities.

How is an abdominoplasty performed?

Abdominoplasty procedures typically take place under general anesthesia. Sometimes liposuction can also be added. A horizontal incision will be made between your belly button and pubic hairline to separate skin from abdominal muscles for tightening, tightening the latter to create firmer abdomen and narrower waist; excess skin will then be trimmed away; reattachment of navel to new muscle tissue completed the procedure.

Once a surgeon is satisfied that all loose and extra tissue has been extracted, stitches will be stitched back together before dressing the wound and inserting a temporary tube to drain any fluid that accumulates at the site of surgery.

Abdominoplasty, also referred to as tummy tuck surgery, has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure among those who have either undergone weight loss or pregnancy. It can slim the stomach while at the same time repair damaged muscles that make the abdomen appear flatter.

Undergoing an abdominoplasty can be a big decision, so it is wise to consult your physician about your medical history prior to making this choice. Doing so can ensure you are an appropriate candidate for surgery while decreasing potential complications.

If you are considering having an abdominoplasty, it is essential that you select a medical practitioner with extensive training and experience with this specialised form of cosmetic surgery. Furthermore, make sure the practitioner is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), you can search on their website. Once selected, schedule your surgery date (sometimes staying in hospital), rest with legs elevated on pillows while recovering, and avoid strenuous exercises during recovery time.

What are the risks of an abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery can be one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures; however, its risks should not be taken lightly. Therefore, it’s crucial that patients understand all risks and complications before opting for this process, to make an informed decision and facilitate a smooth recovery experience. Knowing more about its potential risks will assist you in making this important decision more easily.

Haematoma (blood collection within abdominal wall tissues) is an inherent risk in any surgery involving abdominal organs, and more common among larger operations. Risk factors for haematoma formation may include hypertension, unsuccessful haemostasis during surgery, congenital or acquired coagulopathies, smoking, high body mass index or multiple pregnancies.

Skin necrosis is another possible complication of abdominoplasty surgery, caused by interruption to oxygen-rich blood flow to an area near an incision site and tissue death. Smokers are particularly at risk, as smoking reduces how much healthy blood reaches their skin near an incision site.

Abdominoplasty surgery may lead to other potential risks, including wound infection, skin retraction and reduced belly button appearance. As this surgery involves cutting away significant portions of abdominal skin, which can result in umbilicus deformation. Re-creating its original look may require further surgery or simply dressings may suffice in treating it.

Mini-abdominoplasty, a more recent technique, reduces the likelihood of complications by performing extensive liposuction before removing excess skin in the lower abdomen. This decreases closure tension and thus the likelihood of creating dog ear deformities at umbilical incision sites; however, its overall complication rate has not decreased compared to traditional abdominoplasty (Level of Evidence II).

Endoscopic abdominoplasty offers an alternative to traditional tummy tuck surgery with its single incision design and combination of liposuction and tightening muscles of abdominal wall tightening techniques. Though more invasive, endoscopic abdominoplasty remains safe and provides outstanding contouring results.

What are the benefits of an abdominoplasty?

After successfully losing weight, you may be left with loose, sagging skin in your abdominal area that’s unsightly, uncomfortable and difficult to address through diet and exercise alone. Abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as “tummy tuck”) offers an effective solution by tightening and removing fat deposits that accumulate under this excess skin – in addition to working on stomach muscles for a flatter belly with more defined midsection.

Based on your goals, this cosmetic surgery can be combined with liposuction to further sculpt the abdomen region. As well as treating loose, sagging skin around your tummy area, this procedure may also help treat hernias by extracting excess tissue and muscle tissues from their root source.

Abdominoplasty procedures typically take three hours under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and typically requires making two incisions: one from hip to hip close to the pubic hairline and another around the navel. We then separate skin from abdomen muscles, pull taut, stitch it back together for a slimmer and narrower waist shape, trim any excess skin or incised fat as necessary, then reattach navel back in its original location.

Abdominoplasty cosmetic procedure can also address any stretch marks you have in the abdomen area. While we cannot completely eradicate stretch marks, an abdominoplasty will usually cover them up for a more even and balanced appearance.

An abdominoplasty also serves to rejuvenate the contour of your abdomen’s focal point: your bellybutton. After pregnancy or other life events, this area can become flattened and the bellybutton may take on more of a frowning downward curving semicircle than an adorable button shaped button; an abdominoplasty will help revitalize its shape back to a small and round button shape with small curving semicircles! Not only are its benefits numerous, but an abdominoplasty will leave a beautiful scar running across lower abdomen and around bellybutton. With proper wound care and healthy lifestyle habits this scar should fade in 3-6 months depending on its placement on its placement on lower abdomen/bellybutton.