Why Do I Have a Bulge After a Mini Tummy Tuck?

A bulge after a mini tummy tuck can be many different things including, weakness of the muscles, fluid, blood, to name a few. An exam would be vital to figure this out.

A photo would have been very helpful to help diagnose the issues and concerns of bulging. It is very normal for you to have swelling 3 weeks post-op surgery which explains the bulging. However, there are other complications associated with bulging, including fluid accumulation within the tissues, also known as a seroma, which could then be aspirated. I recommend consulting with your plastic surgeon to address your concerns. In some cases, a mini tummy tuck may leave patients with a bulge... more

You probably have some residual swelling from your TT 3 weeks ago- but more importantly is the question if all of your abdominal wall laxity was addressed by your 'mini' tummy tuck- a full fascial plication is required for a nice flat tummy- anything less is a compromise.

Patients should expect a recovery process after a mini tummy tuck that includes swelling, some bruising, and a small amount of bulging. The most important thing to remember is that your body is recovering from a surgical procedure and that this is not the final result. You can help your body recover and increase your comfort by using a compression garment provided by your surgeon. We use special garments that not only address the abdomen but the upper torso and hips as well. After... more

Thanks for your question - It is common to have abdominal swelling after abdominoplasty. At three weeks you're still relatively early in your healing phase. The position of the umbilicus can only be corrected through additional surgery. Sometimes mini-tucks have less efficacy in correcting abdominal bulges because that procedure does not correct the abdominal rectus diastasis (the muscles of your abdomen). When thinking about abdominal contour here are things to consider:Skin... more

It is hard to know without a picture and a more detailed description of the procedure. You may be experiencing normal swelling or you may benefit from additional liposuction at a later date. You may also be experiencing a seroma which may require drainage.