Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck Risk

The abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a form of cosmetic surgery intended to make the abdomen firmer. This surgical procedure typically involves removing the excess skin from the lower abdomen to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. They typical patient is one with loose tissue after pregnancy, or sagging skin left over after a major, rapid weight loss.

Any type of surgery has risks, including cosmetic surgery, thus tummy tuck risks are not unfounded. Some abdominoplasty side effects include: delayed healing, infection, reaction to anesthesia, and blood clots. One tummy tuck danger is death. Many of these complications can be avoided, or at least minimized, if you carefully follow the instructions your surgeon will give you for taking care of yourself post-surgery.

Blood clots are a remote but serious risk. Any surgery involving the use of general anesthesia for more than half an hour has a slightly increased risk of causing internal blood clots. Blood clots can become dangerous when they form inside a blood vessel and can interfere with your circulation. In rare cases they can break off and travel to other parts of your body and wreak havoc.

Tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty procedures vary in scope. They are frequently divided into categories based on the severity of the procedure. A complete abdominoplasty can take one to five hours. A partial abdominoplasty, or mini-tuck, normally can be finished in an hour or two.

A tummy tuck, or full abdominoplasty typically starts with an incision made from hip to hip just above the pubic area. Then, another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin. The skin is then detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures.

A partial, or mini, abdominoplasty involves smaller incisions. The skin and fat of the lower abdomen are detached in a more limited fashion from the muscle fascia. The skin is stretched down and excess skin removed.

An extended abdominoplasty is a complete abdominoplasty that extends to the fronts of the thighs and flanks (sides). There are also combination procedures, and an abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction contouring, breast reduction, breast lift, and occasionally hysterectomy, depending on the reason for the hysterectomy.

An adbominoplasty is an effective way to improve the appearance of your abdomen, but keep in mind that it is a invasive surgical procedure and such procedures always involve a certain amount of risk. You can get a free consultation with a plastic surgeon near you to discuss your options.