Will Large Ripple on Tummy After Tuck Go Away?(photo)

I am post op 4 weeks from a tummy tuck. I am very pleased with the results, however, since day 1 I have noticed a large vertical ripple/wave on the left side (right side in pic) of my tummy and I fear it won't flatten out. The nurse said it is the rectus muscle and I should massage it, but I don't feel muscle underneath as much as it seems to be just skin, as if it wasn't pulled horizontally enough. Is this normal or am I going to be stuck with this stretched look for good?!

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rippling 1 month post-op

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by SarahAnne65 in Indianapolis

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (1)

Ripple on Tummy After Tummy Tuck? #tummytuck

Thank you for posting a picture with your question. So this could be several things. It could be that you required more undermining of the skin in that area, or it could be from suturing to the abdominal wall if this was done. Also, after surgery all the lymphatics have been severed to the abdominal skin flap and it takes 3 months or more for lymphedema to resolve. This is why constant compression and even lymphatic massage with a specialist can really smooth out these areas over time. It is... more

Will Large Ripple on Tummy After Tuck Go Away?(photo)

Great posted photo of an issue I have NEVER seen. Could it be a piece of a drain? Or maybe irregularity if you had a scar in the area, but the photo shows no scar. Or poor "quilting" sutures if no drain was used. Very convening, BEST TO SEE ONLY THE SURGEON!

Ripples on abdomen after tummy tuck

Thanks for your question and your pictures. Based on your comments that no drains were used, you likely had some quilting sutures placed. These sutures are usually dissolvable (6-12 weeks depending on type of suture) and the rippling should improve with time. The best person to talk to about this would be your surgeon. Overall, your result does look very good.

It will get better

I would agree with Dr.Hopkins. Please check with your surgeon and if he/she used quilting stitches ,it will resolve. If your surgeon did not,then it is due to undermining and will improve by time and if not,will improve by liposuction.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Ripple after abdominoplasty

An unusual finding, but it is still early and may improve with time. It is too early to consider any surgical intervention, but you should discuss this with your surgeon, especially if the nurse left you with questions about your progress.

Ripple may go away

Your surgeon is the best person to answer this question. I suspect that internal quilting sutures may be the cause. If it is the cause, it goes away in the first month or two and rarely lasts permanently, unless it was intended (but not in this location). Check in with your doctor for reassurance.

Ripple on the side of abdominoplasty result

Thanks for your question. It appears the lateral ripple of your abdomen after the abdominoplasty is a result of inadequate lateral undermining of the skin to allow the abdominal skin to redrape smoothly. When the skin is not undermined enough as you pull the skin flap down vertically the fibrous septae that attaches the skin laterally will cause a traction ridge to form. This may diminish over time depending how the skin shrinks and attaches after it has healed. ... more

Benjamin Chu, MD

11 reviews

Honolulu Plastic Surgeon

Vertical Ripple 4 Weeks after Tummy Tuck

I will admit that this does look odd, but preoperative pictures may shed some light on this problem. Any liposuction done at the same time would be a factor as well as the placement of the drain or drains if used. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA