Bulging Upper Abs After Mini Tummy Tuck

Liposuction will not likely solve your problem. More likely is the fact that a mini tummy tuck only repairs the muscle below the belly button whereas the full tummy tuck repairs the muscle above and below the umbilicus. The bulging you experience after a meal is due to the unrepaired muscles allowing the upper abdomen to distend whereas the lower abdomen remains restrained by the muscle repair. It is possible that the lower abdominal repair may loosen and ease the difference.... more

Upper abdominal bulging is usually the result of inadequate plication (tightening) of the abdominal musculature during the mini tummy tuck.  In cases where the umbilicus (belly button) is not being repositioned, as when the focus of the procedure is the lower abdominal wall, it is difficult to reach the upper abdominal wall and sufficiently tighten the muscles.  In such cases, the muscles have been tightened below the umbilicus but not above it.  This, in effect,... more

When performing a mini tummy tuck it is crucial to establish a good balance between the upper and lower abdomen. When examining a healthy young woman, it is common to see a flatter stomach in the upper abdomen than the lower abdomen. This must be kept in mind when performing a mini tummy tuck. If the lower abdomen is tightened excessively, this may create too much flattening in the area below the belly button and excess fullness about the belly button. Your best bet is to work with a... more

Thank you for the question. What you are describing is one of the problems they can be seen after the mini tummy tuck procedure is performed. In my opinion, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall... more

The upper abdominal bulge is most likely due to the weak muscles above the umbilicus that I assume were not plicated during the mini-tummy tuck. Repairing this will possibly get rid of your bulge.  An  exam would give me answers.

DeborahT, Sorry to hear about your upper abdomen.  A few things are important here.  While you are not ecstatic about your upper abdomen, it is still early in the post-operative period.  It is prudent to wait at least 6 months before being critical of the outcome.  Nevertheless, it may be true that the muscle plication of your upper abdomen was lax.  That is, your fascia (layer enclosing the muscle) was tightened more below the navel than above.  However... more

It seems that you will need a plication of your upper abdomen with or without Liposuction. this is a common problem when plication is not done in the same time for the upper stomach.

In my experience the major cause of bulging of the upper abdomen after a mini tummy tuck is that the upper abdominal muscles are lax and need tightening. You may have needed a full abdominoplasty with tightening of the muscles. See the doctor who did your mini tummy tuck and ask him to check the muscles above your belly button.

I agree. It sounds like you have laxity of the upper abdomen. I would discuss this further with your surgeon. If you want a second opinion, your best bet is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.