Is It Possible to Diminish Tummy Tuck Results by Pushing to Hard to Have a BM After?

I was wondering if it was possible to diminish the results of a tummy tuck by pushing to hard to have a BM? I was told by my ps to either push against my stomach when pushing or use a pillow. How would I know if I ripped a stitch?

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by followurdreams21 in sunnyvale, ca

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Tummy Tuck Recovery and BMs

You want to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity. This includes bearing down or pushing hard for a bowel movement. It is common to experience a slowing of your bowels or even constipation after surgery. This is due to the medications from your anesthesia and your pain meds. To avoid straining (which could damage your tummy tuck), most plastic surgeons can recommend some over the counter stool softeners such as colace. Talk to your plastic surgeon to learn what... more

Bowel movement and tummy tuck

Having a bowel movement jsut after a tummy tuck may be difficult. You may want to consider stool softeners to make it a bit easier.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Difficult bowel movement won't damage a tummy tuck.

Most patients who have abdominoplasties require some narcotic pain meds for a day or so. A side effect is constipation and difficult bowel movements afflict many patients. Although uncomfortable, they will not jeopardize the surgery.

Minimizing muscle strain during BM after a tummy tuck

On rare occasion it is possible to disrupt the muscle repair. For this reason, it is wise to consider the use of stool softeners during the post-operative period when narcotic analgesics can make your more prone to constipation.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Can I rip my sutures after TT by having a Bowel Movement?

Chances are that you will not create enough force or pressure from a bowel movement to cause any harm to your tummy tuck. That being said, I would definitely recommend avoiding heavy lifting after surgery for at least three weeks to allow the site to heal. Most plastic surgeons use very strong sutures and so the risk for them breaking is very low. What can happen is that your own tissue tears and, while the sutures actually remain intact, the tissue separates. ... more

Straining soon after Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Regarding: "Is It Possible to Diminish Tummy Tuck Results by Pushing to Hard to Have a BM After? I was wondering if it was possible to diminish the results of a tummy tuck by pushing to hard to have a BM? I was told by my ps to either push against my stomach when pushing or use a pillow. How would I know if I ripped a stitch?" The ONLY way a tummy can be flattened after one or more babies is by bringing the separated and stretched tummy muscles (rectus abdominis) together... more

Straining after a Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty

Most surgeons use very strong sutures to create the plication during an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. Although unlikely, it is possible to have the sutures "rip" from the tissues. This is the reason most surgeons advocate that patients not lift heavy objects (more than 15 lbs) for six weeks, much like in a hernia repair. Drink plenty of fluids, stool softeners, and walk as much as possible. The garment or abdominal binder will provide extra protection. Your surgeon would be... more

Tummy tuck

It will be difficult to "rip" the sutures; however, too much intrabdominal pressure could cause the sutures to cause a tear in your tissues. So I would recommend holding a pillow on your tummy in especially difficult BM! Try stool softeners.