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Post-Tummy Tuck Bulge
I had a tummy tuck approx 6 months ago. My upper abdomen is perfect, but right underneath my belly button on the right side, there is a bulge. I have no idea what this is from. I went to get a second opinion in the US, since I had my surgery in another country and the surgeon said that could sometimes happen and maybe my muscles are weak. I had a full tuck and I am very thin. He said since I am pretty small, it is just easier to see any imperfections. That doesn't sound right to me. What could it possibly be? Also, my tummy below my navel is not as flat as I thought it would be, when I sit down and after a meal, it sometimes look like it did, pre-tummy tuck.
Asked 38 months ago by
tonijaiwill in raleigh, nc
+2
Yout tummy muscles have loosened...
Hello,
Tummy tuck surgery results vary with the specifications of the patient's tissues, general capacity to heal and the surgeon's technique. At times the tummy wall (muscle) will bulge out after it has been tightened. This is less likely with multiple suture line muscular repairs, but all this varies.
The bulge could also represent fat plus or minus excess skin. Re-operative tummy tuck surgery can be hard for these reasons. Sometimes we don't know what we will need to do until we get in...
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+2
Get a second opinion
As previiously stated this could be the result of numerous conditions:
Seroma, pseudo bursa
Hernia/muscle weakness
Disruption of muscle repair or no muscle repair
previous scars on that side (appendectomy)
localized fat
Resolving hematoma
Skin redundancy
Separation of the SFS repair
Underlying mass (fibroid)
etc
However, this is nearly impossible for you to discern and it may even require a CT scan. As you can see it may not even be related to the surgery and you may bnenefit from...
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+2
Get another opinion
This bulge could represent:
a seroma
a hematoma
a hernia
inadequate or disrupted abdominal plication
asymmetric skin excision
The good news is most of these problems can be corrected relatively easily.
Seek the advice of a board certified plastic surgeon.
Steven Williams, MD
+2
Further evaluation by another Plastic Surgeon is necessary.
A small bulge in this area is not normal. I would agree that it is something that could be corrected. The most common cause of a fullness in this area is a residual seroma. After drains are removed following a tummy tuck, they can leave an area with some fluid. If this fluid does not resolve in a short time, the body creates a wall to close this area off. This becomes permanent unless drained or removed. An ultrasound or CT scan could easily detect such a fluid filled area. If...
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+2
You should get another opinion.
Tonija,
It is hard to tell from just one picture. However, you should not have an asymmetric bulge as you are describing. There are several causes for a bulge after abdominoplasty. You could have a seroma (a fluid collection under the skin), a hematoma (a blood collection under the skin), retained fat, inadequate or asymmetrical skin excision, or breakdown of your muscle plication (tightening). You should seek out another surgical consultation/opinion. While it will likely take another...
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+1
Stomach should be flat 6 months after a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Although there is still healing underway 6 months after a tummy tuck, major contour problems should not exist. You picture is difficult to interpret. The abdominal wall may have been poorly repaired or perhaps not addressed at all. You might have had an untreated seroma that has become organized and hard. I would press a good board certified surgeon for a specific answer.
+1
Tummy tuck results post 6 months surgery
At this point in time of your recovery, post tummy tuck surgery, swelling should have subsided and any complications may be corrected by your plastic surgeon. I recommend consulting witha board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best and safest possible option for your case. If you need revisionary surgery or any procedure to correct the complication or issue it will improve the bulge in that area. Unfortunately the photo you provided makes it difficult to diagnose the issue...
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+1
Bulge after tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. After a tummy tuck, patients should expect a significant recovery process. In our practice, we provide two compression garments to all our patients. These garments compress the treated areas and help resolve the swelling. At six months, you should be seeing your final results. If you continue to have a bulge, you should be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon. They will be able to determine if this...
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+1
Post tummy tuck issues
Without examining you it is dificult to tell, but it may be some normal asymmetry with some excess fat on the right side that may be amenable to liposuction. It could also be fluid. If you feel that the belly is a bit protuberant, it may mean that the muscles may need a bit more tightening.
+1
Tightening of the abdomen with abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck
An abdominoplasty is performed by excising redundant tissue and tightening the anterior abdominal wall. In some cases, a lesser form is performed whereby only the excess skin is removed without affecting the lax muscles.
In this case, the lower abdomen may still have a lax abdominal wall as a result of minimal rectus plication. This is not always a result of poor technique, but rather, may have been a product of a lesser form of abdominoplasty procedure with minimal tightening of the...
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