Tummy tuck gone wrong?
Speak with our specialist cosmetic surgery solicitor Kamila Jaskula. Find out if you can claim compensation
CALL 0800 083 5500
Posted on 7th July 2022
If you have had a tummy tuck go wrong, then you may be able to make a cosmetic surgery claim.
In this article
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major cosmetic procedure with the goal of improving the look of the stomach area.
It is generally undertaken if a person has a large amount of excess skin in the area due to various factors such as significant weight loss, a heavy pregnancy, or a c-section.
Often, abdominal muscles and connective tissues are tightened, to further improve the final look of the procedure.
The procedure itself will involve a long incision above the pubic area or ‘bikini line,’ and another incision around the belly button. The excess skin and fat are removed, and the outer skin is pulled downwards to create a flatter stomach.
Mini tummy tuck
In some instances, it may be more suitable to undergo a ‘mini’ tummy tuck. This is a slightly less invasive procedure, mainly removing excess skin from the lower part of the abdomen. It is important to note however that this will still require a large incision along the ‘bikini line.’
What happens when a tummy tuck goes wrong?
As with all major surgeries, there is always a risk that the procedure can go wrong in some way. Whilst the majority of procedures go ahead without issue, occasionally mistakes or complications can occur.
During surgery, you are vulnerable to a number of issues and potential errors. Whilst incredibly rare, it has been known for surgical apparatus to be left in patients, such as gauzes, clamps or scissors. If left untreated, it could cause a major infection.
As with all surgeries, the risk of infection is increased as your body is opened and vulnerable. It is always advisable to have your tummy tuck done at a reputable clinic, to avoid hygiene issues.
These instances of infection, error or poor care, could potentially be grounds for a tummy tuck claim.
What can I do if I don’t like my tummy tuck?
Due to the nature of cosmetic surgeries, there may be times when you are not happy with the final results. In these scenarios, it is always advisable to first speak with your surgeon, in order to see if you can resolve any issues that you might have.
If you feel that your procedure has gone wrong in any way, or that your surgeon has not acted appropriately, then you may want to make a claim.
What are the side effects of a tummy tuck?
Various issues and side effects can occur after undergoing a tummy tuck. These can include;
- Infections
- Bleeding under the skin
- Poor healing can lead to more prominent scarring
- Damage to blood vessels or muscle tissue
- Poor quality results from a bad surgery
- Nerve damage
- In very rare cases sepsis can occur due to infections.
What are the signs of a bad tummy tuck?
It may be the case that you won’t always know if you have received poor surgery, or been subjected to a dangerous surgical procedure. It may also be the case that you don’t know where to turn or what your options are if you have been subject to poor care.
Signs of a bad tummy tuck include:
- Poor healing
- Excessive scarring
- Infections – Indicates poor hygiene during the procedure
- Asymmetry in your belly button or stomach
Once you have been through your procedure, you may begin to notice things that could be a sign that the procedure has not gone well.
You may feel that your scar position is not right or is not subtle enough. Your belly button may have been repositioned poorly, leaving it looking unnatural. Or you may be left with asymmetry in your body.
These results could indicate that your surgeon has not carried out the procedure properly, or was not experienced enough to carry out the operation.
How long does a tummy tuck take to heal?
In most cases, a tummy tuck will take around 6 weeks to heal and for you to fully recover. It will also be around this length of time for you to see the full effect of the tummy tuck procedure.
It is important during the healing process that you do not exert too much effort on your body, and you give your body the best opportunity to heal.
It is also important during this time to closely examine the healing process, in order to spot any issues that may occur or any signs we have mentioned that your procedure has not gone well.
If you think that there may be something wrong during the healing process, you need to speak with your surgeon immediately.
If you feel that your surgery has been carried out poorly, then speak with Blackwater Law to get free initial advice about your potential claim.
Proving your case for tummy tuck compensation
By their nature, medical negligence claims are difficult to prove. To win your case, you have to be able to prove that the procedure (abdominoplasty), fell below the standard of an accepted body of plastic surgeons or clinicians carrying out the surgery.
For this, your legal team would look to prove that there were breaches of duty of care with the procedure, which would include the surgical technique used i.e wrong technique or incorrectly performed, the consent process, and the aftercare.
Your legal team then need to prove that any identified breaches of duty of care caused an injury or changed the outcome. Such injuries would include unsightly or excessive scarring or overhang, infections and nerve damage.
Both elements have to be proven to make a successful claim.
