Bulge Above Belly Button - 2.5 Months Post Full Tummy Tuck, Muscle Repair & Lipo

Since the bandages came off I noticed upper abdomen bulge, mostly just above my BB. Lower abdomen has gone down over the last couple of weeks but no change on the top. I dont wake up flat since I have not been wearing my CG. I know when I swell (this area gets even bigger, which is at the end of the day. I know this is normal. The upper part feels like muscles but lower feels different, much softer. PS said muscles looked fine & did not feel ultrasound was needed. Would appreciate ur opinions.

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belly button bulging 2 months post-op

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Farz in Vancouver (CANADA)

Doctor Answers (5)
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Tummy Tuck

You can take up to 4-6 months for all the edema to go away and other swelling. Be patient and listen to your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and advice. We all heal at different rates and will be healed when the body is ready.

"Bulge" after Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. The fullness you have in the upper abdominal wall area is either muscle laxity, adipose tissue, or seroma ( fluid collection). Exactly what is going on should be determined by direct physical examination ( examining you in the upright, supine and flexed positions). Radiologic evaluation is probably unnecessary. Best wishes.

Bulge above belly button after tummy tuck

Although swelling and scar tissue thickening is not completely resolved at 2.5 months after a tummy tuck, this would not account for the degree of upper tummy fullness we are seeing in your photos. Possibilities are the following: 1. Persistent fat. many plastic surgeons including myself do not think it is safe to do major fat removal at the time of a tummy tuck as it could injure the blood supply to the skin and cause devastating skin loss, scarring, etc. If a patient... more

Radiographic imaging would better clarify the problem

Radiographic imaging with ultrasound or CT scan would better clarify the problem. If this is causing you distress, it might be worthwhile rediscussing it with your surgeon.

Upper abdominal fullness after a tummy tuck

You have more fullness than I would like to see. It is either fat, fluid, or loose muscles. If you only had a mini tummy tuck, it would be fat and loose muscles or both. If a full TT was done, it could also be fluid. An ultrasound would tell which it is and is harmless and easy to do. If it is fluid, it should be drained, if it is fat, liposuction later may help, if it is loose muscles, a redo tummy tuck will probably be needed. None of this substitutes... more