A tummy tuck, also know as abdominoplasty is considered surgery and because of this there are, of course, always risks. The risks associated with tummy tucks are actually small. But you should know what the potential complications are so you can be prepared to deal with them, should they happen to you.

The following are things you can expect to happen and also a few things that are rare, but may happen to you.

1. As with any major operation, you need to know that risks of surgery, any surgery include blood clots in the leg which can end up blocking and artery in the lung and turn into pulmonary embolus. This as well as infection may even lead to death.

2. Swelling is common for most patients who have had a tummy tuck. The swelling can last for four to six weeks post surgery. Swelling may extend to the genital area for men and women.

3. Pain and tenderness is an obvious risk. The amount of pain you will be in depends on your pain tolerance and the overall success of the surgery. This may last from a few days to several weeks, especially in the scar area.

4. Bruising in the abdominal area and possibly the surrounding skin is very common.

5. Bleeding may occur post surgery and in some patients, if there is severe bleeding, they may need a transfusion.

6. As with any surgery, there is always the risk for infection. If you have extensive pain that does not subside, you need to get to your doctor to see if you have contracted an infection. It is extremely important that you do not wait to go to your doctor if pain persists or if you feel you are not healing correctly. Do not wait to do this, see your doctor immediately.

7. Watch to see how your stitches are doing. Your body may not like them and push them out to the surface. If this happens, call your doctor immediately.

8. A feeling of numbness may be in the abdominal area for months following the procedure.

9. A fluid called seroma may collect beneath the skin and if this is severe enough it will need to be aspirated.

10. Sometimes a scar will heal slowly and it may even separate. This can lead to a heavier, thicker scar and your recovery time may be slowed down.

11. Because a tummy tuck involves stretching the abdominal wall, the stretching could potentially damage the blood supply that goes to the remaining fat and this can damage the skin. Sometimes this condition can cause the fat cells to liquefy and harden. Infection may also occur in these areas.

12. If skin is damaged during the stretching process the damage may be enough to kill the skin. In these cases, a skin graft may be a necessity.

13. Because the belly button is relocated during a tummy tuck, you may find that when you are healed, your bellybutton is not in your midline.

So these are complications that you need to be aware of before undergoing a tummy tuck procedure. Be sure to get all the information you possibly can from your doctor so you will know when to call them and what to expect. It will be especially comforting to you if you know what the proper procedure is for any complication that may arise. If you know what to expect, you can make a plan to deal with it if a complication happens to you.