Risks & Potential Complications

Before deciding to proceed with surgery, every patient needs to thoroughly consider the risks, as well as the benefits, of surgery. During your pre-operative consultation(s), Dr Masters will openly discuss the risks with you so that you can consider them. A full listing of all the potential complications and risks of this procedure is beyond the scope of this website. There are two broad groupings of surgical risks: those that pertain to surgery in general; and those specific to the procedure being performed. Generalised surgical risks include:

• Bleeding, usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours of the procedure and may require a return to the operating room. A quiet, restful post-operative period will help to avoid this problem.
• Bruising ,whenever possible, Dr Masters uses medications and techniques that help to avoid post-operative bruising. The appropriate use of Arnica may help to speed the resolution of bruising.
• Infection, though created in ideal circumstances surgical incisions can become infected. When appropriate, antibiotics will be prescribed to lower this risk.
• Unfavourable scarring, every surgical incision results in a scar. It is Dr Masters role to maximise the quality of your scars and, whenever possible, to hide them in natural skin creases.

A tummy tuck is a relatively major operation. Although every precaution is taken to help avoid a complication, surgery by its very nature has inherent risks. Some of the complications that can occur are detailed below:

• Numbness, a small patch of numbness below the umbilicus is very common following this procedure, as is numbness along the scar across the lower back.
• Seroma (fluid accumulation under the skin) this can develop occasionally after the drains have been removed. It will need to be removed with a syringe or may even require insertion of a new drainage tube, but it will resolve with time.
• Unfavourable scarring occasionally scars may widen despite the surgical manoeuvres performed to avoid this. Similarly, the location of the scar can sometimes be visible beyond the confines of underwear.
• Lumpiness usually in the lower abdomen – resolves with time.
• Bruising particularly if there has been extensive liposuction into the waistline. This resolves with time.
• Blood clots you will need to wear compressive stockings on your legs until you are fully mobilising. These clots which are not common can be very serious if they move to your lungs.