It's common to have some discomfort after a tummy tuck

Shahram Salemy, MD answers: Localized muscle pain after Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift

Today is my 22nd day post-op from a full Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift. Five days ago, I bent over and seemed to pull something. Right afterwards I felt a stabbing pain on my right side 3 inches down from my ribs close to my midline. It is localized to one spot.

The pain is stabbing and burning, and has not gone away for 5 days straight. I saw my plastic surgeon and he said the stitches were intact, and I probably pulled a muscle. I am in a lot of pain, but the rest of the area is tolerable pain and getting better. Is there any way to check to see if something is wrong. Would an untrasound help?


Shahram Salemy, MD
7 months ago
By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

What you are describing does happen from time to time, and it usually represents a slight pull of the muscles or pulling on the sutures that have been used to tighten the muscles.  If there is no obvious deformity of the abdomen, you should be fine, but there is no great test other than your surgeon's exam to determine if anything else is going on.  Some patients will experience pain or even some burning, but this will go away as everything settles dwon over the next 6-8 weeks in most cases.  Time is on your side, so let things heal and contineu to follw your surgeon's advice.

Web reference: http://www.drsalemy.com
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