Type of Surgery
Information

Last updated: 11/24/2009
There are a number of complications that may arise during or after abdominoplasty. Complications are more often seen among patients who smoke, are overweight, are unfit, have diabetes or other health problems, or have scarring from previous abdominal surgery. Risks inherent to the use of general anesthesia include nausea, vomiting, sore throat, fatigue, headache, and muscle soreness; more rarely, blood pressure problems, allergic reaction, heart attack, or stroke may occur.
Risks associated with the procedure include:
- bleeding
- wound infection
- delayed wound healing
- skin or fat necrosis (death)
- hematoma (collection of blood in a tissue)
- seroma (collection of serum in a tissue)
- blood clots
- pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lungs)
- numbness to the abdominal region or thighs (due to damage to nerves during surgery)
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This video provides a detailed description of different bariatric surgeries used to treat obesity. It describes gastric bypass surgery and lap banding with an overview of the current trends towards a laparoscopic approach. A discussion of patient selection and bariatric surgery cost is also shown.
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery. Portions of the lower abdominal tissues have been removed and the navel repositioned. The remaining skin flaps will be sutured. (Photography by MM Michele Del Guercio. Reproduced by permission.)
In an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, an incision is made in the abdomen (usually from hip bone to hip bone). Excess skin and fat is removed (B). The muscles may be tightened (C). The navel will be placed into the proper position (D), and the major incision closed beneath it. (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
Other Information
Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure to reshape and firm the abdomen. It involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by woman (who are not considering having any or more children) and individuals who have abdominal fat deposits which do not respond well to diet and exercise.
From http://www.doctorslounge.com/surgery/procedures/abdominoplasty.htm
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