Common Tummy Tuck Recovery Complications and How to Avoid Them

The tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure in which certain defects of the abdomen are corrected. This procedure is performed on the skin, removing fat and muscle to improve its appearance.

The patients who undergo this type of procedure most often are women, especially those who have gone through pregnancy, as this way, they can correct post-gestational deformities.

As with all procedures, it is important to know what tummy tuck recovery is like to avoid complications that can affect both the recovery process and the long-term results of the procedure.

For a correct tummy tuck recovery, it will be important to follow certain recommendations and indications to facilitate this process.

What You Need to Know About a Tummy Tuck

To undergo this type of procedure, a previous evaluation must be performed. The results will be analyzed to know if you are suitable or not to undergo this cosmetic surgery.

Excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal area during abdominoplasty, and anesthesia is used for this procedure.

This cosmetic surgery procedure has become one of the most popular, mainly in women who have gone through pregnancy. 

Abdominoplasty is no longer a procedure that only famous stars can have because any woman, whether she has gone through a pregnancy or not, can have a tummy tuck and have the body they have always dreamed of.

Common Tummy Tuck Recovery Complications

Despite being one of the most famous procedures currently available, as with any other procedure, there is a risk of surgical complications during the tummy tuck recovery process. Some of these are:

• Wound separation: If there is a separation during the healing process in the area where the surgery was performed, the surgeon must be consulted immediately to suture the wound.

It is important to follow this step to avoid any risk of bleeding or infection of the area where the procedure was performed, making the tummy tuck recovery drastically more difficult.

• Seroma formation: Something that considerably reduces tummy tuck recovery is the formation of a seroma.

A seroma is caused by the action of the various tissues between the layers of skin, muscles, and fat content of the body that house blood and lymphatic vessels between them. 

If these are not properly separated, they cannot promote the normal cycle of inflammation, and consequently, the fluid is not absorbed correctly.

This fluid seeks to accumulate, and after surgery, it is common to leave a space or cavity from tissue removal. This is where the liquid concentrates.

This causes some discomfort and swelling in that area, and although it is normal, you should go to the surgeon for a check-up to avoid complications during tummy tuck recovery.

• Infection: It is important to have good wound care to prevent disease. Some of the symptoms of infection can be abscesses, fever, nausea, pain, or redness at the incision site.

Even after taking analgesics to relieve this type of pain, it is very likely that it does not diminish, so you should go immediately to the surgeon responsible for the procedure to examine that area.

One of the most common reasons for infection may be how the patient usually cleans the wound. 

For correct infection prevention, performing a shower using a soft sponge to scrub these areas is necessary. The use of bathtubs should be avoided since they tend to accumulate dirt in the water that could enter the suture area.

• Swelling and bruising: Swelling is one of the most common complications during tummy tuck recovery. Swelling and bruising may be due to the body getting used to the new shape or due to the scarring process.

However, if this increases, such as no swelling reduction or more and more bruising, you should see the surgeon immediately to get a recommendation for medication or to change your routines to reduce the bruising.

• Pain and discomfort: For pain management, some analgesics can be used as long as the patient has no allergy or problem with the consumption of these.

Another way to counteract these discomforts is to follow the surgeon’s instructions correctly. How to prioritize the corresponding rests and rest, perform some activities such as walking, among others that allow the body’s mobility.

This not only helps to reduce pain but also improves tummy tuck recovery.

How to Avoid Tummy Tuck Recovery Complications

Before this procedure, some information about surgeons should be considered to know if they can be trusted. For example, they should have the necessary experience, recommendations, and qualifications to back up this information.

This is because the most experienced surgeons will take into account the concerns and expectations that the patient has to achieve a safe procedure and an optimal tummy tuck recovery.

Some other recommendations that will allow you to avoid these complications are not to consume alcoholic beverages or blood thinning medications since this could have difficulties in the evaluation, the procedure, and even the tummy tuck recovery.

Therefore, if you want to have a correct tummy tuck recovery without any of these complications, you must have a healthier lifestyle, follow the recommendations and indications of the surgeon, and regularly attend previously scheduled appointments.

Make The Right Decision

All the postoperative care mentioned above must be taken into account for a correct tummy tuck recovery.

Likewise, it is important to investigate the clinic and the surgeon who will be responsible for the procedure so that at the time of undergoing surgery, there are no complications during and after the abdominoplasty.

At Clínica Renueva, we care about each one of our patients. That is why we have a fully trained team with the necessary experience and qualifications to provide you with safe care and positive long-term results. 

International tourists recognize our clinic as one of the best options to have a tummy tuck Tijuana knowing that they will obtain beneficial results with a completely personalized treatment.