Submit your question below about any cosmetic procedure to be considered for posting with an answer from one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

If your question is about the cost of a procedure, click here. For referral to a qualified surgeon in your area, see find a surgeon.

Note: ASAPS cannot give advice about specific medical problems nor should answers provided by responding surgeons be substituted for a complete medical history, work-up and an in-personal medical/surgical consultation. Sorry we can't answer all questions. We try to select questions that have the widest general interest.

What could cause the complications that I am experiencing in my left leg after a tummy tuck two weeks ago?

Q:

I had a tummy tuck with vertical thigh lift and light thigh liposuction two weeks ago.  Since the day of surgery, I only have partial use of the left side, although it's improving.  I had to "drag" my foot the day after the surgery.  Now I have a severe blood clot (no prior history) running the whole span of the left leg, along with a seroma.  The tummy tuck and the right leg are fine.  What may have happened to cause this problem with the left leg?

A:

You are describing a drop foot - pressure on the peroneal nerve.  YOU NEED TO SEE YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON FOR CONFIRMATION AND REFERRAL TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR.

I do not know how your blood clot was diagnosed.  See your plastic surgeon as soon as possible for the clot as well as the seroma.

Samir F. Shureih, M.D. - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Baltimore, MD
Practice Website

A:

You have had what is called an untoward event following your cosmetic surgery procedure.  It sounds like you may have had a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) after or during your surgery.  Normally, by now you would most likely have been placed on anti clotting or anticoagulant medications.  I hope things have stabilized a bit for you. 

The left foot drag can be caused by many things and could be related to the clotting issue.  As long as the left foot is improving it most likely should be OK.  Please ask these questions of your surgeon.  If you do feel he is answering your questions, then consider an expeditious evaluation by an Internal Medicine Physician regarding these issues.

Best,

 

Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS

Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Sumter, SC
Practice Website

A:

Since surgery, you say you have had only partial use of your left side.  Do you mean your entire left side including your arm and leg?  Dragging your foot after surgery is concerning but you don't comment on how it is at this point.  Is that resolved?  You also state you have a severe blood clot.  Presumably if you have the diagnosis of a blood clot you are being treated appropriately with a blood thinner.  This is a complicated situation with limited information to comment on all of the issues you have described.

Robert Whitfield, M.D., FACS - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Milwaukee, WI
Practice Website

Related Questions

Copyright © 2009-2012 ASAPS. All Rights Reserved.