Tummy Tuck ComplicationsSkin death sounds nasty, and it is. This is a serious healing problem that is due to poor circulation to the abdominal skin after surgery. It occurs because of the separation of your skin and fat layer from your inner girdle. In order to perform an abdominoplasty operation, your surgeon needs to separate your skin/fat layer from your inner girdle, so that your skin and inner girdle may be tightened. When these layers are separated, some of the blood circulation is lost. Usually enough circulation remains to allow healing without skin death (doctors use the term "necrosis"). However, in some cases the remaining circulation is inadequate. Circulation loss is especially common with patients who are smokers or obese, but is possible in anyone, The skin above the scar line may then turn black and die. Fortunately, this is uncommon, and if it does occur, it is usually limited to a small area and heals on its own within a few weeks. Infection may occur following any operation and may require additional surgery, intravenous antibiotics and possibly hospitalization. The risk is about 1%. Hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin that is due to the bleeding that occurs after a surgery is over. If the hematoma is large, you may require surgery to remove it, and it may lead to skin death. Seroma is a collection of fluid under the skin. It is due to your own body fluids that collect under the skin after surgery. To help prevent seromas, many surgeons place drains under the skin at the time of surgery, although a seroma may still occur . A seroma can be removed using a needle and syringe. Your abdomen will be numb after this operation, so seroma removal is not usually painful. Dog ears are puckers of skin on either end of your scar. If you have very loose skin, you will be more likely to have dog ears. Fortunately, your plastic surgeon can remove your dog ears with a simple procedure under local anesthesia in the office.
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Dr. Loftus is the highly acclaimed plastic surgeon who authored The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery, which is the #1 Best-selling book on plastic surgery in the United States. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, THE TODAY SHOW and THE VIEW, discussing all facets of plastic surgery. People from all over the world travel to Cincinnati to seek her care.
Loftus
Plastic Surgery Center
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