Why choose us for tummy tuck compensation claims?

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors was the first UK firm to focus specifically on cosmetic surgery negligence. With more than 20 years’ experience, we understand the medical, legal and emotional issues involved in tummy tuck compensation claims.

We handle no win, no fee claims where possible. This means there is no financial risk to you if your case is unsuccessful, subject to the terms of your fee agreement. Any success fee will be explained clearly before you decide whether to proceed.

We have secured more than £10 million in compensation for clients and achieve an approximate 95% success rate in cases pursued after obtaining supportive medical evidence.

Our team is led by legal specialist Michael Saul. We provide sensitive, practical support and work to make the process clear and low-stress.

You can also read more about what cosmetic surgery negligence is and view testimonials from previous clients.

Could I make a tummy tuck negligence claim?

You may be able to make a tummy tuck compensation claim if your surgeon or clinic failed to meet the expected standard of care and this caused you avoidable harm.

A claim may be possible if you were not properly assessed before surgery, were not told about the risks, did not give informed consent, received substandard surgical treatment or were not given appropriate aftercare. This may include cases involving poor scarring, infection, contour deformity, an off-centre belly button, skin necrosis, persistent pain, nerve damage or the need for corrective treatment.

A poor result alone does not automatically mean you have a claim. Some complications can happen even when a tummy tuck is performed correctly. The key question is whether the harm was caused by a failure in the care you received before, during or after surgery.

It may help to ask yourself:

• Were you told about the risks, alternatives and realistic outcome before surgery?
• Were you given enough time and information to make a decision?
• Did your surgeon assess whether a tummy tuck was suitable for you?
• Did the surgery leave you with injuries or results that were not properly explained beforehand?
• Were warning signs, such as infection, severe swelling, wound breakdown or skin colour changes, ignored?
• Did you need further treatment because of the outcome?
• Have you suffered financial losses, pain, distress or loss of confidence as a result?

If any of this sounds familiar, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can review your experience and explain whether you have grounds to claim. We can gather medical records, assess consent documents, arrange independent medical evidence and deal with the surgeon, clinic, insurer or their solicitors on your behalf.

What is your surgeon’s duty of care to you?

A surgeon owes you a duty of care at every stage of a tummy tuck. If that duty is not met, and you suffer avoidable harm as a result, you may be able to make a tummy tuck compensation claim.

This duty applies before the operation, during the procedure and throughout your aftercare. If you were not properly assessed, were not warned about the risks, received poor surgical treatment or had your concerns ignored during recovery, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can help you understand whether you may have a cosmetic surgery negligence claim.

Before surgery: informed consent and suitability

Before surgery, your surgeon should assess whether abdominoplasty is suitable for you. This may include reviewing your medical history, BMI, smoking status, previous surgery, medication, healing risks and expectations.

They should also explain the likely outcome, potential risks, alternatives and limits of the procedure. This includes scarring, infection, pain, asymmetry, seroma, haematoma, poor wound healing, numbness and the possibility of further treatment.

If you were not properly assessed, or you were not given clear information before agreeing to surgery, this may support a claim. The General Medical Council states that doctors offering cosmetic interventions must seek the patient’s consent themselves and make sure patients have enough time and information before deciding whether to proceed. You can read the GMC guidance on cosmetic interventions.

During surgery: surgical technique and hygiene

During surgery, the procedure should be carried out to the expected standard. This includes appropriate planning, safe incision placement, careful tissue handling, proper wound closure and maintaining hygiene.

A tummy tuck often involves a long incision across the lower abdomen. Poor technique may lead to a scar that sits too high, contour deformity, wound breakdown, asymmetry, an off-centre belly button or avoidable tissue damage.

If your result suggests poor planning, surgical errors, unsafe technique or poor hygiene, our solicitors can review your records and arrange independent medical evidence to assess whether the treatment fell below the expected standard. The Royal College of Surgeons’ Professional Standards for Cosmetic Surgery provides standards for invasive cosmetic surgery, including communication, consent and patient safety.

After surgery: monitoring and aftercare

After surgery, the clinic should provide clear aftercare instructions and monitor your healing. Follow-up care should include checks for infection, seroma, haematoma, necrosis, poor wound healing and worsening pain.

If symptoms are reported, they should be reviewed properly. Poor aftercare may support a negligence case if the clinic fails to identify a complication, delays treatment or does not refer you for urgent medical attention when needed.

If you believe your surgeon or clinic failed you before, during or after your tummy tuck, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can investigate what happened. We can gather evidence, deal with the clinic or insurer on your behalf and pursue compensation where negligent care caused avoidable harm.

What are the signs a tummy tuck might have gone wrong?

Certain symptoms or visible changes after a tummy tuck may suggest that something has gone wrong and should be reviewed. These signs do not prove negligence by themselves. A tummy tuck negligence claim usually needs evidence that poor care before, during or after surgery caused avoidable harm.

Possible signs that a tummy tuck may have gone wrong include:

• Excessive or poorly positioned scarring: some scarring is expected after a tummy tuck, but a scar that is unexpectedly high, difficult to conceal or different from what was explained before surgery may need review.
• Signs of infection: redness, heat, swelling, unusual discharge, an unpleasant odour or feeling unwell may suggest infection. Infection alone does not prove negligence, but poor hygiene, poor aftercare advice or failure to act on infection signs may support a claim.
• Long-term numbness or nerve symptoms: temporary numbness can occur after surgery, but lasting numbness, tingling, burning pain or altered sensation may suggest nerve damage.
• Fluid build-up or sudden swelling: swelling is expected during recovery, but severe swelling, worsening swelling or a fluid-filled area may suggest a seroma or haematoma.
• A hard, uneven or lumpy abdomen: some tightness and firmness can be normal at first, but persistent hard lumps, uneven firmness or contour irregularities may suggest fibrosis, fluid build-up or poor healing.
• Overhang or contour deformity: bulges, dents, asymmetry or remaining overhanging skin may suggest uneven fat removal, poor skin redraping, excessive liposuction or poor surgical planning.
• Poor belly button position: a belly button that appears off-centre, too high, too low, distorted or unnatural may suggest poor repositioning or suturing.
• Persistent or worsening pain: discomfort is expected in the early stages, but pain that does not improve, becomes worse or is linked with hard areas in the abdomen may need medical review.
• Skin colour changes: bluish, darkened or pale skin near the incision may suggest poor blood flow or skin necrosis and should be assessed urgently.
• Delayed healing or wound breakdown: wounds that reopen, leak, become increasingly painful or fail to heal as expected may suggest infection, poor closure or other complications.

These signs should be taken seriously, especially if they are getting worse or were not explained as part of the expected recovery. However, they only become relevant to a compensation claim if there is evidence that the surgeon or clinic failed to meet the expected standard of care and this failure caused avoidable harm.

How is tummy tuck compensation calculated?

Tummy tuck compensation is usually calculated by looking at general damages and special damages.

• General damages compensate for pain, suffering and the effect of the injury on your life. This may include physical injuries, scarring, chronic pain, loss of sensation, psychological distress and the impact on confidence or day-to-day activities.
• Special damages cover financial losses. These may include medical expenses, revision surgery costs, travel expenses, lost earnings, care costs and other out-of-pocket losses caused by the injury.

How much compensation you may receive depends on the severity of the harm, the length of recovery, the appearance of the scarring, whether the injury is permanent and whether further treatment is needed. Very severe scarring or avoidable long-term pain may increase the value, but an accurate valuation usually needs medical evidence.

You can read more about how cosmetic surgery compensation is calculated.

How our tummy tuck lawyers can help

Our tummy tuck lawyers can guide you through the claims process from the first enquiry to settlement. We can review your case, explain whether you may have a legal claim and advise what evidence is needed.

We can:

• Review your treatment history
• Gather medical records and consent documents
• Obtain independent medical evidence
• Assess the impact of your injury
• Calculate compensation for pain, suffering and financial losses
• Deal with the surgeon, clinic, insurer or solicitors
• Support you if court proceedings become necessary

Most cosmetic surgery claims are resolved without going to court, but we will prepare your case carefully from the start.

You can learn more about the claims process and what to expect when making a claim.