Understanding abdominoplasty surgery and its risks

Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and, in many cases, tightening the underlying muscles. Tummy tuck procedures are often chosen by people who have experienced significant weight loss, pregnancy or changes to their body that have left them with loose skin and stubborn areas of excess fat that cannot be addressed through diet or exercise alone.

As abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure, it carries recognised risks and side effects, even when performed to an appropriate standard. When complications arise because a surgeon fails to meet their duty of care before, during or after surgery, this may give rise to medical negligence claims.

Potential risks and side effects include:

• Pain, swelling and bruising: common in the early stages of recovery and should gradually improve over time.
• Tightness: a typical side effect following muscle repair, which usually eases as healing progresses.
• Fluid accumulation (seroma): a build-up of fluid beneath the skin that may require drainage.
• Temporary numbness or altered sensation: often caused by nerve disturbance during surgery and may improve with time.
• Delayed wound healing: particularly around the incision site.
• Visible scarring: some scarring is unavoidable, but it should be consistent with what was explained before surgery.

Your surgeon has a duty of care to explain these risks clearly before surgery and to set realistic expectations about recovery. They should also provide clear aftercare instructions, including how to care for your wounds, manage swelling, recognise signs of complications and when to seek medical advice. Following this guidance forms an expected part of recovery and helps reduce the risk of avoidable complications.

Signs of tummy tuck negligence

Some pain, swelling and tightness are expected during the first three to four weeks after abdominoplasty. If symptoms persist beyond this period or worsen instead of improving, it may indicate negligent treatment.

Possible signs of a tummy tuck surgery gone wrong include:

• Prolonged or worsening tightness: some tightness is normal, but if it does not gradually improve or becomes increasingly uncomfortable, it may indicate excessive internal scar tissue or fluid build-up.
• Severe or persistent swelling: swelling should reduce over time. Worsening swelling may suggest a seroma or haematoma.
• Uneven or lumpy firmness: while early stiffness is expected, hard lumps that do not soften may point to fibrosis or poor healing.
• Pain that does not improve: ongoing or increasing pain, particularly with hard areas in the abdomen, may indicate complications such as adhesions or nerve damage.
• Changes in skin colour or loss of sensation: darkened or bluish skin can indicate poor blood flow, while long-term numbness or tingling may suggest nerve damage.
• Scar positioned too high above the bikini line: tummy tuck scars are usually placed low. A high, visible scar may result from poor surgical planning or wound closure.
• Contour deformity: indentations, bulges or asymmetry can result from uneven fat removal, excessive liposuction or poor skin redraping.
• Off-centre belly button: the belly button should sit centrally after surgery. A misaligned or distorted appearance may suggest poor technique or excessive skin tension.
• Signs of infection: redness, heat, unusual discharge or an unpleasant odour from the incision area may indicate an infection that requires medical treatment. Infection on its own is a recognised risk of surgery and is not automatically negligent. However, if your surgeon failed to identify the infection during follow-up appointments, did not provide appropriate aftercare advice, or did not act promptly once signs of infection were present, this may amount to negligence.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a tummy tuck, seek medical advice promptly and consider speaking to Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors to find out whether your surgeon may have failed to meet their duty of care.

FAQs about abdominoplasty tummy tuck claims

What do you need to make a tummy tuck abdominoplasty claim?

To make a tummy tuck compensation claim, you will need evidence to show that your surgeon failed to meet their duty of care and that this caused you avoidable harm. Gathering clear and detailed information at an early stage can help support your case.

This may include your medical records and surgical notes, which can show how the procedure was planned and carried out, and whether appropriate standards were followed before, during and after surgery. Before and after photographs can help demonstrate unexpected outcomes, poor scarring, asymmetry or changes that were not explained to you prior to the procedure.

You should also keep copies of any correspondence with your surgeon or clinic, including emails, letters or messages discussing risks, consent, aftercare advice and follow-up appointments. A personal record of your symptoms, recovery issues and the impact on your daily life can also be helpful. In many cases, an independent medical opinion is obtained to assess whether your care fell below the expected standard. Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can guide you through this process and advise on the strength of your claim.

Can I claim for a botched tummy tuck gone wrong?

Determining your eligibility to make a claim for tummy tuck negligence is an important step towards obtaining justice and compensation for the harm you have suffered.

To be eligible for abdominoplasty compensation, you must be able to prove that the surgeon or clinic failed to provide the standard of care expected, which directly resulted in your injuries or complications. This can include errors during the surgery, inadequate pre-operative or post-operative care or failure to inform you of all the risks involved.

Complications alone do not always constitute negligence. Your claim must demonstrate that the complications you experienced were avoidable and directly caused by the negligence of the healthcare provider.

To support your claim, you will need comprehensive documentation, including medical records, photographs of your complications, and any correspondence with the surgeon or clinic. Witness statements and expert medical opinions may also strengthen your case. If you have incurred additional medical expenses for corrective surgery, lost earnings due to recovery time, or suffered physically or psychologically, you may be eligible for compensation. Your claim can cover these costs and damages.

There is also a legal time limit for making a cosmetic surgery negligence claim in the UK. Generally, you have three years from the date of the surgery or from the date you first realised that your suffering was due to negligence to make a claim. To be eligible for medical negligence compensation, make sure to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible and get your claim started within this timeframe.

How long will the tummy tuck compensation claims process take?

Each case we deal with is unique, due to the individual circumstances of every client. We do not offer a precise length of time for the claims process until we have spoken with you. We pride ourselves on offering an accurate timescale that reflects your personal situation after we have assessed your circumstances.

Our specialist experience and skills in this area of law enable us to handle your claim quickly and efficiently, while causing very minimal disruption to your life.

How can we help with your tummy tuck claim?

Regulations within the cosmetic surgery industry are inconsistent in places, so it can be hard to understand your legal position if you have experienced a tummy tuck gone wrong. Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can support you in your claim following a botched abdominoplasty and secure you the tummy tuck compensation you deserve. We understand the distress and discomfort that can arise from a procedure that has not gone as planned. Our dedicated team of solicitors specialises in providing legal support to those affected by negligent cosmetic surgery.

We offer a confidential, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss the details of your case. During this session, we will listen to your experience, assess the merits of your claim and provide you with clear, professional advice on how to proceed. If you decide to make your abdominoplasty negligence claim with us, we will help you to gather all the necessary evidence, including medical records and expert opinions, to build a strong case on your behalf.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you do not have to worry about legal costs if your claim is unsuccessful. This approach ensures that accessing justice is risk-free and accessible for everyone.

The cosmetic surgery industry's regulations can be confusing and daunting. We can help you navigate these complexities, providing clarity on your legal rights and the standards of care you should expect.

To speak to our expert tummy tuck lawyers, call 0808 271 3278 or complete our online contact form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your situation in confidence.