Why do I Still Have the Little Bulge Right Above the Incision Line 6 Mos Post-op TT? (Photos)

I had a full TT in early April of this year but still have a little bulge right above the incision line in my lower tummy now that I am almost 6 months post of operation. One side looks more puffy than the other side. l am 5''5 and weigh 113 lbs. I have been wearing garments persistently except for taking it off at night in the past month. I am also about the same weight prior to my surgery. Is this a normal recovery process or I need a revision? If a revision is needed, how soon should I do it?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Absecon8034

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Tummy Tuck - Why do I Still Have the Little Bulge Right Above the Incision Line 6 Mos Post-op TT?

This can happen for a lot of reasons; not the least of which is that it is not safe to try to remove every bit of fat from the remaining tissue in the "flap," which is what the skin and fat of the stomach/abdomen are called. In fact, as much as I try to do this, I expect there to be a little bit of fullness there and discuss with the patient ahead of time that we may want to do some lipo as a secondary procedure in order to achieve the maximum results. Most people have... more

Asymmetry after Tummy Tuck

Thank you for the question and pictures. Some asymmetry and/or contour irregularity is very common after tummy tuck surgery. At this point in time, I would suggest waiting an additional 6 months before contemplating revisionary surgery. Also continue to maintain a healthy life style (with appropriate diet and exercise). It may be at the one-year postop mark you will be very pleased with the results of the surgery. I hope this helps.

CONTOUR IRREGULARITES

Contour irregularities are very common after abdominal contouring procedures. The majority will resolve on their own without any intervention. Post op rolling treatments with Endermologie or Vela Shape will smooth out the deformities, ask your PS if he/she offers this service. If not, you may want to check and see if this service is offered by any other doctor in your area. I routinely give my post op TT patients between 5-10 Endermologie treatments and I rarely need... more

Post-tummy tuck bulges can be treated, but be patient

It is not uncommon to have some bulges persist after a tummy tuck and many of them will go down over time. They are usually due to swelling which takes longer to go down after a tummy tuck than it does with other cosmetic surgeries. Bulges which may require surgical treatment include residual excess fat that could not be treated with liposuction at the time of a tummy tuck, inadequate muscle repair or loss of the integrity of the muscle sutures. It is very important to avoid any... more

Swelling after a tummy tuck

What you are seeing is quite common after a tummy tuck due to the swelling or edema settling above the tummy tuck scar. I usually suggest that the patient wait a full year and if it persists, a small amount of liposuction is usually all that is needed to thin that skin out and give a better contour.