Like any other invasive medical procedure, cosmetic surgery can sometimes have unpredictable side effects or post-operative complications. Because of this, it is critical that the patient pay close attention to the healing process and seek immediate attention for things that don’t look quite right or are beyond what post-operative care directions anticipate as “normal.” This week’s Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week deals with just such a situation. The viewer asks, “One side of my tummy tuck is more swollen than the other. Is it because they left more fat?” The viewer says it has been about three weeks since the procedure was done.
Dr. Pane noted that at three weeks it’s difficult to be sure whether this is normal or not, mainly because he did not perform the procedure personally. A before and after comparison through photographs would give a better idea of where the patient was prior to the procedure, establishing a better baseline for what to expect and whether or not any subcutaneous fat was left behind. He noted that generally most surgeons do not liposuction the front of the abdominal wall, as this can negatively impact or even impede the healing process.
He said that at three weeks post-op, some swelling is to be expected and generally evens itself out over time. It is possible that the patient had a thicker layer of fat between the skin and the abdominal wall on one side than the other, although again, without direct knowledge of the patient’s case and pre- and post-op pictures to compare against one another, this is hard to properly assess. If the surgeon who performed the procedure trimmed the fat directly and left some behind, the swelling this patient reports could easily be the legacy of the way the procedure was performed. Both of these possibilities are relatively benign and should resolve themselves as the healing process continues.
However, Dr. Pane also observed that unusual swelling on one side may be an indicator of fluid buildup at or near the surgical site. Seroma, a buildup of mostly harmless fluid similar to a pus pocket, and hematoma, or a very localized pocket of internal bleeding and clotting, are both possibilities. Seromas and hematomas can be indicators of more serious and severe problems with the surgical area, and may slow or directly interfere with the healing process and the overall aesthetic outcome of the procedure as well as putting the patient at risk of more serious complications. For this reason, the patient should be assessed in-person as part of a clinical follow-up visit as soon as possible.
While three weeks is early to start developing serious problems, and some swelling is typical and to be expected, it is always better to err on the side of caution. Patients should contact the surgeon who performed the procedure as soon as possible if anything that appears out of the ordinary occurs at or near the surgical site(s). They should also be proactive in keeping photographic documentation of the surgical site, ideally by taking a picture every day or every time the dressings are changed. It is always a good idea to record anything that happens by keeping a journal, as this can help a physician track and understand the history and progression of the swelling and obtain a more accurate diagnosis during an in-person examination.
Even with proper aftercare and conscientious following of any care directions given by the surgeon or staff, complications can and do occur. One way to enhance your odds of getting the outcome you desire is to make sure your surgeon has top-drawer qualifications, such as the double board certification carried by Dr. Thomas A. Pane, ACA’s founder and Chief Medical Officer. Additionally, it is important to make sure you educate yourself on the risks and potential problems that may arise, and ask questions about anything you are unsure of. An educated patient has a far better chance of avoiding problems that may arise after cosmetic surgery.
If you have a burning question about cosmetic surgical procedures but didn’t know who to ask, ACA and Dr. Pane welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you. You can email us at Contact Dr. Pane call us at 561-422-4116 or send us your question on Facebook. Your question may not only help other people who have the same question, but it might also be ACA’s next Question of the Week, to be answered in person by Dr. Pane on a live Google Hangout! The beautiful body you’ve always wanted is attainable, but it takes knowledge on your part and skill on your surgeon’s. Don’t leave the outcome of your cosmetic procedure to chance!