What Are the Most Frequent Postoperative Complications After the Tummy Tuck?
When you are to undergo an operation, whether it is for cosmetic reasons or not, there is a risk for you to develop complications. The possible complications that can arise would depend on the surgical procedure itself, how you take care of your body after the surgery, and how your body reacts to the surgery. Cosmetic surgeries, like the tummy tuck surgery, also have their own list of complications. It is first important to know them before you agree to go through the surgery to help you be prepared for the worst.
After the tummy tuck surgery, you will be released and allowed to go home on the same day. It is your responsibility to look after yourself properly. It is important to know the possible complications so that you can rush yourself to the hospital immediately when needed. One common complication that can develop after a tummy tuck surgery is excessive bleeding. When this happens, you need to be transfused with blood. In rare cases, there might be a need to go through another surgery to help stop the blood loss.
Fluid accumulation in the area where the tummy tuck surgery was performed is also to be expected. The accumulation of the fluid happens as a response of the body to the trauma or damage it experienced during the surgery. The fluid will usually be reabsorbed by the body on its own as the patient heals. In some cases wherein the amount of fluid is too much, draining it is advised. Some surgeons prepare for the accumulation of fluid in advance by attaching drain tubes. This makes it easier to drain the fluid after the surgery. Once the surgeon thinks that there is no more fluid to drain, he/she will remove these drain tubes and allow the wound to heal further.
Blood clots can also develop in the legs during the recovery period. This is especially true for patients who do not walk around and use their legs. It is advisable for patients to move their legs and walk to make sure that there is proper blood circulation in the body. It can be a challenge to move around especially because there is still pain, but patients have to push themselves to do this to prevent a fatal complication.
Fat necrosis or the death of fat under the skin can also happen. This is due to the disruption of the blood supply of the fat cells. It can be seen as lumps under the skin, but it will eventually even out as you heal from the surgery.
Another common complication is wound infection. The infection can be remedied by taking in the antibiotics that the surgeon prescribed. It is also important to make sure that the wound is always clean and dry. Although you may feel that your hands are clean, you shouldn’t touch or handle the wound area. It is best always to wash your hands with soap and water before you handle it.
