Tummy Tuck Surgery: Realistic Expectations and Risks

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is an operation in which sagging skin and excess fat are removed from the abdomen and, if needed, loosened abdominal muscles are tightened. In suitable people it can bring about a noticeable change in the appearance of the abdomen; however, like any surgical procedure, it has limits and risks.

Dissatisfaction after the operation mostly arises from a gap between expectations and the result, from complications or from recovery taking longer than expected. For this reason, before deciding, it is important to know what the operation can and cannot change.

How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

The doctor decides on the extent of the operation after the examination. The general stages of a full tummy tuck are:

  • The incision line, running from just above the groin crease towards the sides, is marked.
  • The sagging skin with stretch marks between this line and the navel is removed.
  • Loosened or separated abdominal muscles are tightened with stitches.
  • The skin above the navel is pulled downwards and the navel is reshaped in its new position.
  • Where needed, liposuction is performed during the same operation.

If sagging is only below the navel, a mini tummy tuck with a shorter incision can be considered.

The Limits of the Operation

  • It is not a weight-loss method. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and a limited amount of fat; it is not a suitable method for general excess weight. The result is more predictable in people who are close to their ideal weight and whose weight is stable.
  • The scar is permanent. The incision scar fades over time but does not disappear completely; it is generally planned where it can be covered by underwear or a bikini.
  • Not all stretch marks go away. Only the stretch marks on the removed skin are taken away; stretch marks above the navel and on the flanks may remain.
  • The result takes time. It may take about six months for swelling to subside and the result to become clear.
  • The result varies from person to person. Skin quality, the condition of the muscles, fat distribution and individual healing affect the result.

Situations That Can Lead to Dissatisfaction

  • Expecting more change from the operation than the structure of the abdomen and the quality of the skin allow,
  • Judging the result too early, before the swelling has gone down,
  • The appearance of the scar, asymmetry or small skin excesses left at the ends of the incision,
  • The appearance of the abdomen changing again because of significant weight gain or a new pregnancy after the operation,
  • Recovery taking longer because of complications such as delayed wound healing.

Some of these situations improve over time; in some cases the doctor may suggest a small corrective procedure once healing is complete.

The Risks of Tummy Tuck Surgery

Like any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck has risks, and information about them is given before the operation:

  • Bleeding or a collection of blood (haematoma),
  • Fluid collection (seroma),
  • Infection,
  • Delayed wound healing or wound separation,
  • Noticeable or thickened scarring,
  • Asymmetry,
  • Reduced sensation in the abdominal skin,
  • Blood clots forming in the leg veins and a clot travelling to the lungs,
  • Risks related to anaesthesia.

Infection is generally treated with antibiotics. Reduced sensation mostly lessens over the months, but in some areas it may last a long time. Smoking, excess weight and uncontrolled chronic conditions increase some of the risks.

What Can Be Done to Reduce the Risks?

  • Share your full medical history, the medicines and supplements you use at the examination.
  • Stop smoking a few weeks before the operation and do not smoke throughout recovery.
  • Complete your weight loss; plan the operation once your weight has stabilised.
  • If you plan a pregnancy, discuss it with your doctor; postponing the operation is recommended for people who plan to have children.
  • After the operation, follow the advice on the compression garment, wound care, activity and follow-up appointments.
  • If you notice fever, increasing pain or swelling, discharge from the incision line, sudden swelling in a leg, shortness of breath or chest pain, contact your doctor without delay.

The doctor decides after the examination which procedure is suitable for you and what a realistic result might be. For detailed information, you can visit our tummy tuck page, and for post-operative advice, you can read our article What to Keep in Mind After Tummy Tuck Surgery.

Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın