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Stomach Looks Larger After Tummy Tuck

asked 3 years ago by smack in sacramento, ca, USA
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 5,885 times

I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair almost 4 months ago. My stomach was generally flat before the procedure; I only had massive stretch marks and "loose" skin from 4 children. There was no liposuction needed.

Right after surgery my stomach was nice and flat, but about 6 weeks after (once I stopped wearing compression garment) my stomach started to developed a pooch. It's flat along the inciscion line and then about an inch from that all the way up past my belly button, I look like I have a 3 month pregnant stomach. It's also very hard and when I flex my stomach muscles it is very hard,not soft, to present a fatty area.

My surgeon said it was just the anatomy of my muscles. I'm not overweight and have not changed in weight since my procedure more than maybe 2 pounds. Is there a problem? I feel worse now then I did before.

9 answers to Stomach Looks Larger After Tummy Tuck

Continue your follow-up care with your plastic surgeon

As you are aware, the tummy tuck procedure involves tightening the muscle/fascial layer which flattens the anterior abdominal wall. Additionally, when the fat/skin layer of the abdomen is cut out (excised), it is removed in an oval shape. The middle portion of the excised fat/skin layer which is directly above the pubic area is very tight, whereas, in contrast, the ends of the incision near the flanks the skin is loose. At four months, you should NOT be seeing in the standing position... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal bulge after tummy tuck

Thanks for your question - It is difficult to say without an examination. Abdominal bulges that occur after your initial healing can represent several things. It may be a fluid collection that has occurred after your drains were removed (this could include hematoma or seroma. These will usually resolve on their own but may require drainage. Your description of the area being hard point more towards a hematoma. It may also represent a separation of your muscle repair. This can be... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Persisitent abdominal bulging after tummy tuck

Persistent abdominal fullness after a tummy tuck can be due to intra-abdominal fat, poor muscle tone, subcutaneous fat requiring liposuction, breakdown of the muscle repair, edema/swelling, seroma, hematoma, fibrosis, fat necrosis, pseudocyst, hernia, improper garment wear, etc. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Upper abdominal swelling after a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective technique to contour the abdomen. During the surgery, we lift up your skin and fat layer and assess your muscles. If there is a separation of the muscles or some weakness, we commonly use sutured techniques to tighten the muscles and give you a smaller waist. There may be several causes for the bulging that you are seeing in your upper abdomen. It is possible that this bulging may be a small collection of fat. It is also possible that this... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Bulging of abdomen

Without examining you it would be difficult to say what the cause of this is. Perhaps it is swelling? It may also be the plication of the abdominal muscles? It could also be fluid?

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Changes post tummy tuck

If you were flat initially postop, and now have fullness it is either a fluid collection called a seroma or your muscle repair may have separated. An ultrasound of your abdominal wall can determine if it is fluid which can then be removed. If the muscles have separated, they will need to be repaired again or left as they are. Good luck.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Perhaps Intra-abdominal fat

You could still have a little persistent edema. However, you may have intra-abdominal fat. Gently palpate your abdominal wall. You should be able to discern the fat above the muscle from the muscle itself. If the fat above the muscle is thick, you either have swelling or fat. I normally include liposuction with an abdominoplasty because the upper abdominal fat is thicker than the lower abdominal fat. During an abdominoplasty the upper abdominal fat is brought down to the lower... more

William H. Huffaker, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Could be your posture

Assuming you do not have a complication and you don't have significant residual edema inyour abdominal flaps, it is possible that your muscles have a certain contour due to your posture. Remember that posture can often contribute more to a person's "physique" than surgical correction. Try improving your posture and consciously tightening your abdominal muscles and see if your contour improves. It is also possible by smoothing out and tightening the loose skin that you reveal the... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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