Bulging and Sore Abs Years After Tummy Tuck

I am two years post complete tummy tuck. My question is that my upper abdomen is still sore and bulges out over the lower. Should I be concerned? My surgeon has liposuctioned that spot after a year but I am still bulging.

I'm wondering if there is another problem that I should be concerned about. Not only am I sensitive in this part, I am also very asymmetric. Which was so called "fixed" a year ago. I am ready to seek advice from another surgeon. Please help?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Luanne in Grand Rapids, MI

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Upper abdomen bulge after tummy tuck

It depends a bit on what your surgery involved and when you started noticing the bulge. Abdominal contour is dependent on: Skin envelope Abdominal fat (subcutaneous and intrabdominal) Muscles tightness Intrinsic Swelling Fluid collections Skin Envelope - People complaining of "abdominal bulge" after tummy tuck typically do not have issues with too much skin - that points to issues underneath the skin. Abdominal fat - This can be an issue in people who may be a little bit over their ideal... more

Persistent bulging of upper abdomen following tummy tuck

At this point, it may be worth a second opinion and possibly obtaining an imaging study to evaluate the cause for your bulging. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Upper abdominal swelling and soreness 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 and soreness that you are experiencing in your upper abdomen. It is possible that this bulging may be a small collection of fat. It is also... more

Upper abdominal bulge

Sometimes after a tummy tuck there is residual fullness int he upper abdomen. Without examining you, it would be hard to tell. This can be residual fatty tissue, loose skin to name a few causes. It can also be a diastasis if it was not corrected at the first procedure.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Upper abdominal bulge remaining after tummy tuck

Without an examination, I am just assuming that your tummy tuck was a "limited dissection" procedure that did not free the upper abominal tissues. Some surgeons call this a "mini-abdominoplasty". If your belly button was not repositioned, this is probably the case. You may benefit from a "full dissection" tuck with a new umbilical position. Best wishes.