Upper Abdomen Much Bigger 4 Months Post-Op- Why?

hi i had a tummy tuck 4 months ago. and now my stomach is bigger, at first it wasnt big and then all of a sudden it got bigger but in the upper abdomen. and the lower left side is bigger then the lower right side. i was wondering is their any type of test i can do to see if the stitches poped or something? i asked my doctor but i really dont believe him he said its fat underneath my muscle and no more lipo can be done. and that the bottom part is my muscle but i really dont believe him. ;(

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Gutkarina in Miami fl

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Tummy Tuck - Upper Abdomen Much Bigger 4 Months Post-Op- Why?

There are several possible reasons and it usually comes down to the anatomy. First, it can be difficult to achieve a totally flat upper abdomen. In many patients, there is inherent fullness in that portion of the abdomen due precisely to what has been suggested - excess intra-abdominal fat. This cannot be corrected during a tummy tuck and when this is the case the most important aspect to be discussed ahead of time is which expectations are realistic - if that area cannot be... more

Bulging after tummy tuck.

Bulges in the upper abdomen following a tummy tuck often are the result of an incomplete approximation of the muscles above the belly button. We check for this in the office by having you lie flat while lifting your feet and head off of the table. This puts those abdominal muscle to work and allows for direct examination of the space between them. Your surgeon is correct that if you have too much intra-abdominal fat, no liposuction is going to correct that. However, you sound as though you... more

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

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Uppe abdomen bigger after surgery

As to the left lower side being bigger than the right, can be due to edema of the tissue under the skin from the raising of the flap. Usually over 1 year that smooths out but a little liposuction in that area is not uncommon to do. As to the upper abdomen being bigger, there are potentially 2 causes. the first is that since that area cannot be defated too well during the tummy tuck, there might be more subcutaneous fat there than on the lower abdomen, making it look large. The more common... more

Bulging upper abdomen after tummy tuck

The most common cause of an upper abdominal bulge after tummy tuck is an incomplete repair of the muscle in the upper abdomen. If your doctor is not connecting with your concerns and questions you may need another opinion to help sort things out. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Tummy Tuck Results?

Thank you for the question. You may be able to assess the integrity of the abdominal wall muscle plication by flexing at the waist (diving position) while palpating he upper abdominal wall area. If there is significant laxity/bulging in this area when you press inwards you may be dealing with abdominal wall laxity as opposed to superficial adipose tissue. It is somewhat unfortunate that you “don't believe” your plastic surgeon; if this remains... more