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Stomach Bulge After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

I had Tummy Tuck with MR and Liposuction on the bra rolls, flanks, gluteal fold, and banana rolls on December 4th. When I stand, my stomach is flat, but when I sit, I have a roll. Is this because I have a short waist or is it from the Liposuction? My fear is that I will need a revision.

Asked 37 months ago by Libraldy23 in Waldorf, Maryland

Be patient and give it more time as your results will steadily improve!

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. The fact that in the standing position, you recognize that your... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Too soon to tell

You have had a lot of surgery and are most likely extremely swollen. Do not judge your results until the swelling is gone! In addition, you should judge the results in the standing position. Everyone has a roll when they bend over!

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Too soon to be critical with results

Libra, It is much too soon following your surgery to be critical of your results. It may take a full 6 months for all of the swelling to subside and the tissues to contract to their new contour. So, hang in there, be patient and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

No problem

Hi there- The situation you describe is quite common and is not necessarily indicative of a problem. If your abdomen is flat when you are standing, and you have a pleasing contour, but you see some fullness when you sit, this is more likely an indicator that your skin has simply lost some elasticity (which you already knew, and is no doubt one of the reasons you were having a tummy tuck). When a young person, with excellent skin elasticity sits down, the skin contracts (because it is... more

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Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Give it a good six months for the swelling to resolve

It hasn’t quite been two months since your surgery. It’s premature to make predictions about future problems. Give it a good six months for the edema or swelling to resolve. Sometimes minor fine tuning is required. This usually means a little skin excision on the lateral aspect of the incision or some minor liposuction to smooth out the transition between the two skin edges. Keep in mind most of us have some skin redundancy in a seated position.

Arthur Foley, MD

Olympia Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It is hard to be specific without pictures

Libraldy23, It is hard to give you any specific advice without any pictures or timeline for the procedures that you had. Naturally, when you stand or lay flat, your abdomen is going to be stretch out and, thus, flatter. When you sit up it will be looser.

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David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

I doubt you will need a revision

If your stomach is flat when you stand after a tummy tuck, there is not any room for more skin removal without compromising the blood supply. In other words, you need some remaining stretchability so you can stand tall, reach up into cupboards and reach up when you play sports. If there is a roll when you sit, you may need liposuction in this area at a separate time. Even if our doctor had wanted to liposuction this area , doing it at the same at the same time as a tummy tuck is not... more

Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Discuss this issue with your Plastic Surgeon

You might have some remaining skin and fat that might need a revision. It is still early and I would discuss it with your surgeon to exclude other causes like fluid collection etc..

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Persistent roll in lower belly when sitting after tummy tuck and liposuction (abdominoplasty)

It is difficult to assess why you would have a persistent roll when sitting after tummy tuck and extensive liposuction, It may be: 1) conservative skin removal, 2) need for more liposuction, 3) recurrent skin laxity, 4) excessive liposuction with skin laxity, 4) retraction of SFS repair with tethering of scar to rectus fascia and resulting shelf like deformity, 5) a low umbilical inset with gathering of tissues beneath this area 6) short waist with costal margin impinging on iliac crest... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Stomach bulge after tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. In our practice, we design each tummy tuck to fit the individual patient. Patients who receive this procedure should anticipate a significant recovery process that can include bruising and some swelling. For this reason, we provide all of our tummy tuck patients with two garments that will help them manage their swelling. If after your swelling has subsided and you continue to notice a stomach bulge above the belly... more

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

?Muffin Top Roll AFTER Liposuction and Tummy Tuck

Without a photograph it is impossible to accurately guess at what you are seeing. But it is clear that at 1 month after the surgery it is WAY too soon for you to panic. It takes months for swelling to go down and finally resolve and I am sure the results in a few months from now will be much better. (This is providing you watch your diet and do not put on weight). Discuss this with your Plastic surgeon and agree to look at things 6 months from your surgery and agree on what to do about it -... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Bulge after liposuction and tummy tuck can be revised.

Hi. Hard to tell what is causing your bulge after liposuction and tummy tuck. But, whatever it is, if you are not happy after six months, then you need to consider a revision.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck and liposuction

If your stomach appears flat when you stand but is slightly rippled when you sit. It probably is normal. The skin has to roll a bit when you sit because it is on maximal stretch when you stand. Some of the concerns of a roll may disappear with time as the final swelling goes down. This of course means that you weight is stable and you have not gained any weight.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck takes time to fully heal

The goal of tummy tuck, with or without liposuction, is a flat abdominal contour and tone with standing. Tummy tuck does take a significant time to fully heal however and it is not uncommon to feel stiffness or some lower abdominal fullness and numbness for six months. The full improvement from your liposuction will only be seen after about three months for that matter. Patience is the key with a gradual increase in your activity progressing slowly to abdominal strengthening and toning... more