94%
1,916 reviews
Worth It Rating
Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Have I Compromised my Muscle Repair?
I am 5 weeks post-Tummy Tuck with muscle repair. I have been doing very well but when having a normal bowel movement the other day I heard what sounded like a stitch pop in the area above my belly button, I also heard this again when I sneezed the next day. Have I compromised my muscle or could this be other dissolvable stitches? I have done nothing to strenuous to jeopardise my Tummy Tuck results, yet it still feels tight inder the skin at this point.
Asked 37 months ago by
PollyPocket in Australia
+5
"Popping" Sounds Alone are Usually OK
If you disrupt the plication or repair, you will know it! "Popping" sensations do opccur after exertion, sneezing, laughing, etc. The muscles continue to contract around the plication (repair) sutures and cancreate that sensation.
If you truly disrupt the repair, you will feel a significant tearing and often see a bulge in the area....you will know it! If there is ever concern about it, contact you surgeon immediately.
+4
A stitch goes pop: Muscle repair with tummy tuck
Generally scar tissue is well formed by 5 weeks after surgery and it is not likely that you compromised your muscle repair.
It is important to maintain the results of your repair by performing core strenghtening exercises which will enhance the results of your repair. Pilates or Yoga is excellent in this regard.
Performing aggressive traditional stomach exercises like crunches and affect your result producing a bulging stomach muscle.
Notify your surgeon and keep an eye on your belly but...
more
+3
A few popping stitches are OK after tummy tuck
At 5 weeks after a tummy tuck, it is common to still feel some tightness. Scars - even inside ones - take many months to soften.
As for the popping sound - it can be stitches. However, most plastic surgeons use many sutures to reshape the muscle layer and typically place two layers. So, feel comfortable that as long as your abdominal shape has not changed, one or two "popping" sounds will not change your results.
It is always a good idea to discuss this with your surgeon as well...
more
+3
Popping post-op
Abdominoplasty involves "plicating" the rectus muscles with suture and is a regular part of the procedure as performed in my San Francisco area practice.
This repair is typically most vulnerable at week 2 after your surgery. This is because the normal healing process can actually make the tissues the suture passes through more weak for a period as scar tissue deposits. People are also generally feeling better and becoming more active at this point.
Most surgeons would not...
more
+3
You've not likely hurt anything
Most surgeons perform "muscle tightening" during tummy tuck procedures - some use absorbable sutures whereas others use permanent sutures. In most cases, the repair is almost "bomb-proof" - enough to withstand sneezing, coughing, movement, etc. You may have broken an absorbable suture, pulled a little fascia (which is your abdominal wall covering)... or something completely unrelated.
It is very unlikely the you have created a problem. Rest easy and recover according...
more
+3
Probably Okay
Hi there-
I think it's doubtful you disrupted your repair, as most often this would have been accompanied by significant pain. I would, however see your surgeon for an evaluation.
+2
Let your surgeon know that you have experienced a problem or have a concern
You are still in the early healing process following your abdominoplasty. It is very normal to feel varying degrees of tightness, as well as tugging. There are several points however that need to be considered:
There different ways to repair the muscle layer. Most plastic surgeons will close the fascia (the dense white fibrous tissue that surrounds the muscle) in layers. I typically use a running over and over type suture similar to a baseball stitch. When this is done the tension in one...
more
+2
Tummy tuck and stitch popping
The sound you heard was probably a stitch popping. At 5 weeks you probably are OK, but it would be a good idea to see your doctor so that he/she can check you out.
+1
It is very unlikely that the muscle repair 5 weeks after an abdominoplasty could be compromised.
It is possible for a stich to break 5 weeks after a tummy tuck especially if it is not permanent. However, at 5 weeks, the body has pretty securely fixed the repair with collagen. It is not our of the question that a repair could be disrupted but it would be most uncommon. I can't imagine that sneezing or straining in the bathroom could do this.
+1
After Tummy Tuck Surgery
After tummy tuck surgery it is very important to refrain from strenuous activity and intense stretching as to not disrupt the healing process. It is normal to feel tightness on the abdomen for quite some time after your tummy tuck surgery, until your muscles heal and relax. Several layers of sutures are used to tighten the abdominal wall, so if indeed it was a stitch that caused the popping sound, your results likely have not been disrupted, but it wouldn't hurt to check in with you...
more
+1
Recovery post-op surgery
Considering you are only 5 weeks post-op surgery, it is normal for you to feel tightness in the abdomen area, you have quite a bit of healing to do and the stitches used should be permanent. If you have doubts or concerns that something may have ben affected, consult with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Otherwise, take it easy and do not worry too much. Take care and good luck.
+1
Non strenuous activity crucial after a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty
A big part of a routine abdominoplasty is the midline tightening of abdominal muscles. Many surgeons use a woven suture that allows ingrowth of tissue into the suture to maximize the strength of the repair. However, this takes several months and may be compromised by strenuous activity.
Avoid stomach crunches, sit ups, lifting heavy weights. Further, previous abdominal surgery may place you at greater risk for disrupting the muscle sutures.
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after a tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are an extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. During the procedure, the muscle layer is assessed and if needed will be tightened with suture.
After the surgery, we tell patients to avoid stress or exercise for at least six weeks. This gives you abdomen time to heal. After this time, your body will create scar tissue that will help reinforce the muscle repair. If you felt something loosen or felt a pop while doing exercise, it is possible that you may...
more
+1
You are probably OK
Hello,
Most surgeons use more than one suture layer on the muscle repair. You are probably OK, but have your surgeon have a look anyway.
Best regards
Anxious about a tummy tuck and whether you're getting the full story? Learn 12 secrets from a RealSelf community member who went through it all.