What Kind of Test/image Showing Whether a Muscle Tightening Was Performed?

asked 1 year ago by Twin Twin in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 361 times
Tags: stomach, female

I had a full tummy tuck done about 11 months ago and my tummy looks bigger than before I had it done. There is no curves and no lovehandles any more. When I stand, on the side looks like I'm 5 month pregnant. Most people look at me think that I need another tummy tuck (even other cosmetic surgeon recommend it too b/c it wasn't done). I actually had the operating report but I can't understand most of it. If the muscle tightening was done, I imagine there must be permanent sutures in place. Thx

9 answers to What Kind of Test/image Showing Whether a Muscle Tightening Was Performed?

Tummy tuck tightening

There are tests to see wha tthe underlying soft tissue looks like sucah as and MRi, but they are very expensive. Just ask your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Don't waste money on expensive tests

There are several ways to evaluate your abdominal wall. I would start by asking your original surgeon if a plication was done or have another Plastic Surgeon review the operative report and evaluate you. While a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound may give you some information, in most cases it should be fairly easy to determine what is going on clincially without needing expensive imaging tests.

Lawrence Iteld, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck concerns

There are no tests to determine if you had sutures placed in your muscle. The best thing to do is ask your surgeon if they put sutures and let your plastic surgeon address your concerns. Remember, too, that people have fat inside their abdomen around their intestines and that is not removed with a tummy tuck.

Samer W. Cabbabe, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair

It seems the bottom line is that you are unhappy with the outcome whether the muscle repair was done/ not done. It would be nice to obtain a second opinion but keep your other surgeon in the loop so they can work together on this. Many factors are involved which are left out of chat rooms such as pre operative views, body dimensions, medical histories, and even genetics. Sophisticated testing will not improve your situation but will add expense.

Timothy Fee, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

www.coastalcosmetic.com

Tummy tuck

It sounds as if the sutures either tore or dissolved too soon. Everyone may have a different way of doing this, I use non-absorbable sutures. But despite this, I have seen patients in the past referred to me for correction of prior tummy tucks. When I explored, I have noticed that either the sutures had dissolved, or were torn. This should not be happening. I would see your plastic surgeon and find out.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Muscle sutures in a tummy tuck

It is not true that sutures in the muscle need to be permanent. For over 15 years, I have only used heavy duty absorbable ones that last longer than it takes for the muscle to heal completely. Then they dissolve away. Never had to re-repair anyone either.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

How do I tell if he repaired my muscles during tummy tuck?

While I agree that there are fancy tests to determine whether or not a muscle repair was actually performed, my first step would be to actually speak with the Plastic Surgeon who performed your procedure. Explain to them your concerns and emphasize that this ws something that you expected. Unfortunately, not all tummy tuck procedures involve repair of the muscle and if your surgeon opted to only address skin then you really didn't get the most optimal result... more

Gregory A. Buford, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

SEE LINK BELOW FOR 3D CT OF MUSCLE REPAIR

SEE LINK BELOW FOR web page with video showing a 3D CT OF MUSCLE REPAIR. This CT scan can demonstrate unrepaired or natural problems as well as hihg resoluton ultrasound.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Failed VS. Never Done Tummy Tuck Muscle Repair

Regarding: "What Kind of Test/image Showing Whether a Muscle Tightening Was Performed? I had a full tummy tuck done about 11 months ago and my tummy looks bigger than before I had it done. There is no curves and no lovehandles any more. When I stand, on the side looks like I'm 5 month pregnant. Most people look at me think that I need another tummy tuck (even other cosmetic surgeon recommend it too b/c it wasn't done). I actually had the operating report but I can't... more