Tummy Tuck Gone Wrong: Making a Compensation Claim

An abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is defined by the NHS as a cosmetic surgery carried out to “improve the shape of the tummy area”.

Tummy tucks are often performed to remove excess skin after significant weight loss or pregnancy. But as they’re classed as cosmetic procedures, tummy tucks are not usually available through the NHS.

This doesn’t make the procedure any lesson common, though.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the tummy tuck was the fourth most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the UK from 2020-21 for both men and women.

And while most tummy tucks are relatively straightforward, things can sometimes go wrong. If you’ve suffered a botched tummy tuck due to the negligence of a surgeon or clinic, you could have a claim.

What happens when a tummy tuck goes wrong?

It usually takes between four to six weeks to recover from a tummy tuck and see the full results. During this time, you may see some initial side effects such as pain and bruising, numbness or raised scarring. These are to be expected after a tummy tuck procedure.

But if you’re noticing that your symptoms have not gone away after the recovery period, you should contact the clinic that treated you as soon as possible for advice. Similarly, if you’re experiencing severe pain at any point, you should seek medical attention.

Mistakes can be made during tummy tuck procedures and if your surgeon did not meet expected standards, it could be considered negligence.

Some signs of a bad tummy tuck include:

• Constant pain where you had the operation
• Fluid present around the wound
• Nerve damage
• Skin contouring problems (if not enough excess skin was removed)
• Your belly button being positioned too high or low

This isn’t an exhaustive list though, and you’ll know yourself if something doesn’t feel right. It’s always best to get a medical opinion, for your reassurance if nothing else. After this, you may consider making a tummy tuck claim if negligence was the cause of your suffering.

Proving you have a tummy tuck claim

In these types of cases, you’ll need to prove that the care you received was substandard. This is not always straightforward. But your solicitor will work on your behalf to gather evidence to support your claim.

Your solicitor will need to show that the harm you’ve suffered was caused by the negligence of the surgeon or clinic that treated you. To do this, they may look at:

• Expert medical evidence
  Solicitors will often instruct independent medical experts to assess whether the care you received was up to the standards that would normally be expected. These experts will also be able to provide a written assessment of how your condition will impact your life.
• Medical records
  These records will be essential for proving the basics of when and where your tummy tuck took place. Your solicitor may also use your medical records to show that you’ve had to receive follow-up care after your tummy tuck.
• Witness statements
  Witness statements could come from someone who attended your appointment with you or staff members who were present in the clinic when your tummy took was performed. These accounts can be extremely useful for supporting your own memory of the procedure.
• Your own recollections
  Your solicitor will ask you for your own recollection of what happened on the day of your tummy tuck as well as the effect that it has had on you since. We’d always recommending seeking legal advice as early as you can so that this information is fresher in your mind.

Compensation for a tummy tuck that’s gone wrong

Having a tummy tuck go wrong can be devastating, especially as you’ve likely gone through the stress of saving for the procedure and finding a surgeon to carry it out.

It can be even worse if you were feeling anxious about the operation beforehand. An experience of medical negligence like this can make any existing anxiety or stress worse, leaving you struggling to manage your medical care in future.

We work with expert solicitors who will work on your behalf to secure compensation for everything you’ve been through. Any compensation you receive will take into account both your pain and suffering, as well as any financial losses related to your tummy tuck.

To find out if you could make a claim, speak to our friendly and understanding claims team. You can reach us on the number at the top of the screen, request a callback or fill in our online claims form.

We’re here to help whenever you’re ready.