Potential Risks & Complications
Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
What Are the Potential Risks, Complications, and Shortfalls of Body Lift, Thigh Lift, & Abdominoplasty?
Scars
The trade off for your flatter and tighter abdomen will be surgical scars that are permanent. While no surgeon, however
skilled, can perform surgery without scars, scars do usually fade with time, taking up to 18 months. Some people are
genetically predisposed to bad scarring, or even formation of keloids or hypertrophic scars. While it is
generally perceived that only dark-skinned people develop Keloids, the fact is that light-skinned people and people from all
ethnic backgrounds can develop Keloids, hypertrophic, or "bad scars". Dr. Younai, and/or his staff review
the place of Tummy Tuck or Body Lift scars with every patient prior to surgery, in order to place them in a location that
can be better hidden by bathing suits or underwear.
Bleeding
It is possible, though uncommon, to experience some bleeding during or after surgery. Should excessive bleeding occur, it might
require a blood transfusion, or even emergency surgery. But most commonly, localized small amounts of blood collected under the
skin (hematoma) can be easily treated through aspiration or the placement of a drain. Dr. Younai, like majority of other plastic
surgeons, routinely uses drains that help remove any excess fluid or blood collection.
To reduce the chance and risk of bleeding with surgery, you must not take any blood thinners, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory,
or vitamin E for 10 days prior and after your surgery.
Infection
There is a very small chance of developing infection after any surgery. You will be given antibiotics during your surgery and be
given a prescription for antibiotics to take after your surgery, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
Pain
While people have varying thresholds for pain, it is an expected result from any surgery. This can be addressed through a prescribed
medication from your cosmetic surgeon. Nevertheless, you should be aware that although pain medications do help reduce the degree
of pain and make it more tolerable, there is no pain medication that will completely eliminate pain.
Nausea
Anesthetics, narcotics, and antibiotics do cause nausea. You will be prescribed an anti-nausea medication, both just-before, during,
and after your surgery. Taking your medications with food helps to reduce the incidence and degree of post-operative nausea.
Persistent Swelling & Bruising
It is normal for skin of the abdomen, navel, genitalia, buttocks, and thighs to become inflamed, swollen, and bruised following
the surgery, and to remain so for some weeks. In rare cases, this can persist for many months or can even be permanent if patient
has poor circulation. To minimize swelling and bruising after surgery patients are required to wear a support garment
24 hours a day for three weeks, and then only during the daytime for the following three weeks. Massaging these
areas as much as three to four times a day is also very helpful. It is normally expected for the skin to become dry and itchy
after surgery. Massaging with heavy lotion and skin moisturizer is essential. You do not need expensive creams to do so – Vaseline,
Vitamin E, or any kind of greasy lotion will do. It's the grease that does the trick! It is good, when possible, to have your
spouse or significant other to perform the massage. This helps to accustom a couple to your new look, and to reduce any trepidation
that you may both be feeling.
Change in Skin Sensation
The area of abdomen, pubic area, flanks, and parts of the thighs do become numb, after this surgery. This usually resolves
gradually over three to eight months, but you can have residual permanent loss of sensation or even hyper-sensitivity in some areas.
Itching, tenderness, or exaggerated responses to hot or cold temperatures may occur after Tummy Tuck, Body Lift, or Thigh Lift,
but is usually short-lived and can be alleviated by moisturizing, medication, and massage.
Sutures
Most surgical techniques use deep sutures, which might spontaneously poke through the skin, become visible, or produce irritation
that might require removal.
Skin Contour Irregularities
Contour and shape irregularities and depressions may occur after a tummy tuck, body lift, or thigh lift. Residual skin
irregularities at the ends of the incision or “dog ears” are always possible as is skin pleating when there is excessive
redundant skin. These do usually improve with massage over time, but may require surgical correction.
Fat Necrosis
As your tissues heal after surgery, sometime, some of the deeper skin fat might die. Usually, this is of no consequence, but
sometimes it might produce areas of firmness or contour irregularities.
Pubic Distortion
One of the benefits of Tummy tuck and Body Lift is the lifting and flattening of the protruding and sagging pubic skin. Rarely,
women develop distortion of their labia and pubic area. Usually, this corrects itself, but sometimes corrective surgery is required.
Asymmetry
Most patients have differences between the right and left sides of their body before any surgery is performed, and surgery might
not be able to correct that. Therefore, even after a Tummy Tuck or Body Lift, there may not be perfect symmetry in the body's
appearance. Factors such as skin tone, fatty deposits, skeletal prominence, and muscle tone may contribute to normal asymmetry
in body features.
Wound Separation & Delayed Healing
Wound disruption or delayed wound healing is possible. Some areas of the surgical incision in the flank, back, or buttock may
not heal normally and may take weeks to heal. Some areas of the skin may even die. This may require frequent dressing changes
or surgery to remove the non-healed tissue and to close the wounds secondarily. Smokers and those with diabetes, multiple medical
problems, and severe obesity have a greater risk of skin loss and wound healing complications.
Seroma
Fluid accumulations frequently occur between the skin and the abdominal wall, legs, flanks, back, or buttocks. Dr. Younai, as
well as, many other plastic surgeons routinely use drains in these areas in order to remove excess fluid. If you develop seroma,
it can easily be drained in the doctor's office.
Umbilicus
Malposition, scarring, unacceptable appearance or loss of the umbilicus or belly button may occur.
Allergic Reactions- In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material and glue, blood products, topical preparations
or injected agents have been reported. Serious systemic reactions including shock (anaphylaxis) may occur from drugs used during
surgery and prescription medications. Allergic reactions may require additional treatments.
"Blood Clots" (Deep Venous Thrombosis, Cardiac & Pulmonary Complications).
Lengthy procedures may be associated with the formation of, or increase in, blood clots in the veins in the legs while you are
immobilized, with the risk that they will travel to other parts of your body, including your lungs. Pulmonary embolism can be
life threatening or fatal in some circumstances. You can reduce this risk by moving as soon as possible following your surgery.
It is important to discuss with your surgeon any past history of blood clots, swollen legs or the use of estrogen or birth
control pills that may contribute to this condition. After surgery, if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or an
irregular heartbeat, notify your doctor and seek medical attention immediately. Treatment of this complication may require
hospitalization and additional treatments.
Damage to Deeper Structures
As with any surgery there is a rare potential for injury to deeper structures including, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and
lungs (pneumothorax). Treatment may require further surgery and hospitalization.
Shock
In rare circumstances, your surgical procedure can cause severe trauma, particularly when multiple or extensive procedures
are performed. Although serious complications are infrequent, infections or excessive fluid loss can lead to severe illness
and even death. If surgical shock occurs, hospitalization and additional treatments would be necessary.
Dr. Younai is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with formal training in Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgery, as well as General Surgery at some of the most prestigious university residencies in the United
States. As a cosmetic plastic surgeon he has had ample experience in performing post-bariatric body contouring surgeries including
tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, Panniculectomy, belt Lipectomy, repair of ventral hernia, body lift, thigh lift, Brachioplasty,
upper body lift, breast reduction, and breast lift.
At the California Center for Plastic Surgery Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for massive
weight loss body contouring, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course,
pre and post operative instructions, and aesthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution
images of such procedures available in our photo gallery.
Dr. Younai receives patients from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly
Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.
Dr. Younai performs his surgeries at the Regency Surgery Center which is certified by Medicare,
Blue Cross, AAAHC, and AAAASF. This state-of-the-art surgical facility is specially equipped and staffed to care for
patients with massive weight loss. This outpatient surgery center is located in Encino, and near Sherman Oaks,
Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Northridge.
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Pre-Surgical Considerations
Body Lift
Breast Lift
Brachioplasty
Thigh Lift
Risks & Complications
View Before & After
Body Contouring Photos
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