How to fix too tight Tummy Tuck?

It has been 3 years since my tummy tuck...I'm miserable. It is so tight that I can't wear anything but elastic. When I exercise the muscles will go into spasms. I have no waist anymore and look like I'm 3-4 months pregnant. Is there anyway to fix this???

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13 answers to “How to fix too tight Tummy Tuck?”

A: An interesting scenario

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Cathie, This is a very interesting scenario. The loss of your waistline is especially concerning.  The skin, after a tummy tuck, is almost never too tight.  It's possible that your muscle repair stitches have broken. This would cause pressure from your abdomen to be transmitted to the skin overlying... more

A: revision likely

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

I agree with the other surgeon. You have had plenty of time - 3yrs - for you tissues to relax and even stretch if needed to not have a "too tight" feeling. You definitely would benefit from a comprehensive evaluation and examination by your original surgeon or a board certified plastic surgeon. I am... more

A: You may need a revision

David Shafer, MD

Cathiee44, You really need to post a picture for us to give you specific advice. If you look pregnant, then I am not sure what you are referring to as too tight. Either the skin is too tight (which will stretch over time) and/or the muscles are too tight (which doesn't seem to be the case since you say you... more

A: Tummy tuck too tight

Steven Wallach, MD

It is unlclear what is exactly tight. I am assuming the muscles aren't too tight if you say you don't have a waist line. If the muscles are too tight and you get spasm, it can be very difficult to correct this presuming that you had tightening of the msucle which now has scar tissue on it. If the skin is till... more

A: It sounds like something else may be going on.

York Jay Yates, MD

The natural course of recovery after a tummy tuck is for things to feel too tight for a week or two and gradually relax.  Your description of spasms, loss of waist definition and fullness of the abdomen does not sound anything like a tummy tuck that is "too tight".  I would recommend you... more

A: See your doctor

Robert M. Freund, MD

Dear Cathiee, Three years is too long to feel tight from a tummy tuck. Furthermore, because you say you have lost your waist and look pregnant, you may have an underlying intra-abdomenal mass that needs to be evaluated. See you doctor ASAP. Good Luck!

A: You need a face-to-face consultation

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

It is impossible to give you advice without a careful examination and review of your operative report. Anything said would be mere speculation. I would suggest going to 1 or 2 board-certified plastic surgeon who do abdominoplasties.

A: You probably need Tummy Tuck re-done

E. Anthony Musarra II, MD

Tummy Tuck is a very popular operation. I have done several hundred. I've never seen one that is too tight.  I suggest you see a board certified plastic surgeon to have an evaluation. I'm not sure there is anything that can be done to relax this without have another operation.

A: The consequence of a successful Tummy Tuck muscle repair

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

I have been told by many general surgeons that the muscle tightening we perform in tummy tucks will not last. I think you are an example of someone who proves them wrong. This does not happen often but one of my paitents experienced similar complaints. On further questioning it was apparent that she had gained... more

A: Too tight tummy tuck

Brent Moelleken, MD

Your best bet is to consult with board certified plastic surgeons to see what the problem is, and if a revision could help you. Sometimes, great tightness in one area is accompanied by looseness in adjacent areas that can be recruited to release the tension in the tight area.

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