How safe is the hourglass tummy tuck?
The hourglass tummy tuck is a procedure that is getting more and more popular nowadays, and for very good reason. The procedure is recommended for patients with unwanted adipose tissue on the flanks and tummy, along with saggy skin and weak abdominal muscles.
When the hourglass tummy tuck is performed, the plastic surgeon will combine three different plastic surgery procedures in one. He will start with liposuction on the midline and the lower part of the tummy, continue with the classical tummy tuck, and finish with fat transfer to the hips. As you can see, the procedure is rather complex and delicate at the same time and should only be performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon with a keen eye for detail and a good knowledge of the feminine anatomy. While the surgical steps are very straightforward, it is very easy to make mistakes at each stage, especially due to a lack of experience.
Patients who have been recommended to undergo an hourglass tummy tuck often ask how safe the procedure is. It is just as safe as a classic abdominoplasty, or a liposuction, or a fat transfer to the hips. I usually tell my clients that there are no specific risks associated with the hourglass tummy tuck, aside achieving unsatisfactory results. The procedure is safe, and the risks can be considerably reduced if the patient is in good health and emotional condition, prepared to undergo surgery, and ready to follow the recommendations by the book.
The common risks associated with the procedure are infection, seroma, hematoma, blood clot formation, excessive bleeding, delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, and fat tissue necrosis, among others. Liposuction has minimal risks, and the risk associated with fat transfer to the hips is for the fat to be reabsorbed by the body in large proportion.
The hourglass tummy tuck is safe and can deliver results that are much more spectacular compared to the classic tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty is the procedure associated with more complications, but the same techniques are used for both the classic procedure and the hourglass tummy tuck.
To reduce the risks of the hourglass tummy tuck, it is essential to discuss your medical condition and medication in detail with the plastic surgeon. Don’t forget to mention any potential allergies, including allergic reactions to anesthesia. A general anesthetic is required to be administered for the comfort of the patient as the procedure is quite lengthy.
There are risks associated with getting general anesthesia, but they are minimal and can be reduced if the patient will avoid eating and drinking for eight hours before the procedure. If you are worried about how safe the procedure is for your particular case, make sure to discuss this with the plastic surgeon during the pre-operative consultation.
