Abdominoplasty surgery commonly known as tummy tuck was in 2015 one of the top ten types of cosmetic procedures performed in the UK. It is a major surgery and requires expert cosmetic surgeons for best results. But even so, mistakes can occur as there are risks associated with the procedure. It is therefore important that the cosmetic surgeon discusses with the patient and ensures they are in the right state of health to go through the process.
If the patient has any existing condition that puts him or her at risk of serious harm and the cosmetic surgeon failed to spot it out and do the needful but goes ahead and carries out the procedure, it can be termed negligent. Abdominoplasty Surgery Claims can be made if the patient suffers unnecessarily as a result.
Additionally, if the procedure goes wrong as a result of the incompetence of the cosmetic surgeon such as avoidable mistakes on the surgery table, an operation went wrong compensation can be made.
Explaining Abdominoplasty Surgery
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery is a type of cosmetic surgery carried out to improve the shape of the tummy area. It is done to remove excess fat or loose skin from the abdomen. This may be after significant weight loss of pregnancy. The procedure is also done to tighten the abdominal muscles. Most often it is carried out by private surgeons as it is not usually available through the NHS.
A patient that will qualify for the procedure has to be nonsmokers, physically fit and with the right body weight. While there are other medical reasons why this procedure may be carried out, the main reasons are removal of excess skin and weight loss.
Some side effects of the procedure include discomfort, swelling, belly button problems and severe pain. While these are normal and can stop after a couple of weeks, they become abnormal when they persist and you may want to make a tummy tuck compensation claim if you think your surgeon was negligent. Therefore, we advise that you wait for about a month to heal before proceeding with making cosmetic surgery claims.
With our expert cosmetic surgery solicitors, you can be sure that your claims will be handled professionally and if we are convinced that your surgeon was indeed negligent, we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that you get a deserved Tummy Tuck Compensation amount.
Signs Of A Tummy Tuck Gone Wrong
There are certain signs that can indicate a botched tummy tuck. While this may not be obvious immediately after the procedure, they come evident after a few weeks by which you have recovered if the procedure went well.
Some of the signs of a bad tummy tuck include;
- Constant pain at the surgery site
- Presence of pus or fluid around the wound
- Nerve damage
- Persistent Severe Pain Around The Navel.
- Skin contouring problems or deformity if there was insufficient excess skin removal
- Incorrect positioning of your belly button or it has been misshapen
In addition to these, it is possible that you may contract hospital infections such as MRSA, while undergoing a tummy tuck.
Tummy Gone Wrong also can leave the patient with some serious health issues such as;
- Excessive scarring
- Incorrect positioning or loss of navel
- Nerve damage
- Swelling that fails to subside for months
- Infection
- Perforation Of Internal Organs.
- Defacement
- Emotional damage
Are Tummy Tucks Dangerous?
Like every other surgical procedure, there are risks associated with tummy tuck. There is a risk of bleeding, infection or even adverse reaction to anaesthesia.
Tummy tuck is considered a high-risk procedure, much higher than most other cosmetic surgeries. There is a 4% risk of major complications after a tummy tuck.
Proving Your Tummy Tuck Gone Wrong Claim
Your surgeon owes you a duty of care and is expected to carry out your abdominoplasty surgery to a high standard. Where the procedure was negligently carried out leading to such as surgery gone wrong causing the patient to suffer avoidable pain or complications, tummy tuck compensation claims can be made.
Cosmetic surgery claims can be inconsistent and so sometimes it is difficult to prove your claims especially as it is most times elective rather than necessary.
This is why you need to have the right legal team who are experienced in these matters to help you make a successful abdominoplasty claim.
- You need to prove that your surgeon owed you a duty of care
- You also need to establish that treatment you received was substandard and that is why you have suffered harm.
- Furthermore, you have to show that you suffered damages as a result of the harm or injury you suffered.
Tummy Tuck Compensation
Your medical negligence compensation for your tummy tuck claims is not fixed but will be determined by several factors.
First you will be awarded general damages. The Judicial College Guidelines gives a range of compensation amount for various injuries which would guide solicitors when negotiating settlement payouts.
Compensation Values For Cosmetic Surgery Negligence
| Type of Injury | Remarks | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trivial scarring | Where the effect is minor only | £1,500 – £3,090 |
| Less significant scarring | Where there may be but one scar or a number of very small scars, which does not markedly affect the appearance of the person. | £3,460 – £12,050 |
| Significant scarring | Where the worst effects have been or will be reduced by plastic surgery leaving some cosmetic disability and where the psychological reaction is minor. | £7,990 – £26,380 |
| Less Severe Scarring | Where there is a significant psychological reaction and substantial disfigurement. | £15,750 – £42,460 |
| Very Severe Scarring | In relatively young claimants (typically teens to early 30s) where the effect of the cosmetic procedure is very disfiguring and the psychological reaction is severe. | £26,120 – £85,340 |
| Single noticeable scar arising from liposuction, tummy tucks and breast augmentation procedures | To one or both legs, arms or hands. | £2,080 – £6,870 |
| Noticeable lacerations or single disfiguring scar | To one or both legs, arms or hands or chest. | £6,870 – £19,930 |
You will also be awarded special damages which covers for financial losses incurred due to the injury, care of costs for future medical appointments, rehabilitation and loss of earnings, etc.
During our free consultation session, we can give you an idea of what you are likely to get from your tummy tuck gone wrong claims using our medical negligence claim calculator.
Medical Negligence Claims Time Limit For Tummy Tuck Gone Wrong
As with every other medical negligence claim, abdominoplasty claims also have a limitation period of three years starting from the date you became aware of the negligent treatment. This is according to the Limitation Act of 1980.
There are however certain exceptions to this rule and if you have any queries concerning this, our cosmetic surgery solicitors are always available to provide answers.
Medical Negligence Direct is here to help
We handle our cosmetic surgery claims on a no win, no fee basis. This means not having the finance to pay for legal fees wouldn’t stop you from making claims since we would only have to deduct a certain percentage of your medical negligence compensation if the claim is successful. You do not have to pay us before we begin to represent you.
Our helplines are displayed on this page; do give us a call to speak with one of our expert lawyers.
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