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9 1/2 Weeks Post Op Tummy Tuck- Sneezed Caused Side Pain, Did I Damage Results?

asked 3 months ago by lizinohio in Loveland, OH
Latest answer by Mahlon Kerr, MD
Question viewed 94 times
Tags: 2 months post-op, pain, sneezing, worried

I am 9 1/2 weeks post op full tummy tuck/muscle repair. So happy with my results at this point however I am unfortunately getting sick and I sneezed last night. After I had a pain/burn in my center left abdomen next to my belly button that radiated to the side. Oh it hurt but I didn't hear any pop. Everything looks ok, I am scared I hurt something internally. Every morning my body wants to stretch without my control and it hurt during that too,doesn't hurt walking around. What did I hurt?

3 answers to 9 1/2 Weeks Post Op Tummy Tuck- Sneezed Caused Side Pain, Did I Damage Results?

+2

Pain in tummy tuck after sneezing

The most likely cause for the pain is a small tear in some scar tissue and that will likely not affect the end result of your tummy tuck. A stitch breaking is less common. Due to the numerous stitches used, breaking one will also not affect the end result
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Damaged Results of Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. Generally, it would take significant pressure/strain to break a stitch used for abdominal wall muscle plication during tummy tuck surgery. If this were the case for you you might experience pain, a “popping” sound/sensation, swelling etc. Most surgeons use numerous sutures and possibly 2 layers to reapproximate the rectus muscles. If this was the case for you, then breaking a single stitch... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Sneezing after a tummy tuck

It would be exceedingly rare to have any major problems caused that far out from a tummy tuck by a simple sneezing event. At 6 weeks I let my tummy tuck patients return to full unrestricted activity even in a gym so I would be surprised if anything more than a sore muscle happened with your cold. Ask your plastic surgeon for a muscle relaxant like flexeril, this may help if you having some muscle spasms. Hope you get better soon. Dr. Kerr
Mahlon Kerr, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

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