Cosmetic Surgery Clinic Article

Why You Might Want to Reconsider Having That Tummy Tuck

Chances are, if you are thinking about having tummy tuck surgery, you already know the benefits and what it can do for you. Yes, having tummy tuck surgery can go a long way to improving your appearance, but it could also cause some pretty serious problems, and may not be the best thing for everyone as it may seem to be. Some side effects are common, and go away shortly after surgery, such as sickness caused by the anesthetic used, or swelling caused from damaged tissues that will gradually shrink over time. There are more serious problems that can occur, and you should think about these before going under the knife for cosmetic surgery.

Keep in mind, not everyone has these more serious complications, but you should be aware that the risk is there, just in case. You should talk to your surgeon or primary care physician about these complications, so that they can help you determine your risk factors, helping you decide whether or not tummy tuck surgery is safe for you. Some patients report that they are unable to feel anything in the area after the surgery is completed, often for a year or more. If your incision doesn’t heal well, due to physical illness or other issues, you could be left with ugly scars, that could be just as bad as dealing with your excess skin before you had the surgery. You might still be uncomfortable in a bathing suit, even after you have had the tummy tuck, because of those scars. The scars can sometimes be removed by having another procedure, but this would cost you more money, and could potentially cause other problems.

People who smoke, are obese, or have serious health problems such as heart disease or diabetes should probably not have tummy tuck surgery at all. These issues all increase your risk of complications. Likewise, women who plan to have more children in the future should also not have tummy tuck surgery, since pregnancy will undo any of the benefits they gain from the surgery.

If you are obese, then you should try dieting and exercise to lose the weight, or might even want to consider having a weight loss surgery, before having tummy tuck surgery, so that you get the most benefit with the least risk involved. Since there will be a visible scar left from the tummy tuck procedure, you may not want to have the surgery if you already have significant scarring from other procedures, as this would only add one more to your collection.

For women, there is one more great reason not to have tummy tuck surgery. If you ever have to battle breast cancer, and end up losing one or both breasts, the excess tissue from your tummy can sometimes be used in breast reconstruction, if it has not been compromised by prior surgery, such as a tummy tuck. There are other options, but that is just something that you might want to think about, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Those with health issues such as problems with the circulatory system, or blood clotting, should avoid a tummy tuck altogether. With bloodflow to the area compromised by poor health, and the further compromised by the surgery, the skin on the abdomen could actually die and rot, leading to a whole new series of problems to be dealt with. People have a history of blood clots shouldn’t have any unneccsary surgery, as surgery greatly increases your risk of blood clots. Blood clots could potentially be fatal, especially if they enter the lungs, so you have to decide if the benefits are truly worth the potential risks.

While tummy tuck surgery may seem like a great solution to get rid of that stubborn belly fat or stretch marks, it may not always be the smart move. You should take a long look at the potential risks and side effects, and talk to your doctor, before going through with it.