Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,305 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,757 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Tummy Tuck Constipation Can I Pull Internal Sutures

asked 11 months ago by jennchap in San Jose, CA
Latest answer by Ayman Hakki, MD
Question viewed 1,162 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, constipation, internal, sutures

I know this sounds silly. I am super constipated from my pain killers. I am 5 days out and just stopped taking them. I am taking colace twice a day and drinking a ton of water. I have not had a bowel movement since the day before surgery (6 days ago) I feel horrible and cant go. I was pushing today trying to go when the hubby stated saying I was going to pull out my internal sutures. Is this true? Now Im freaking out. My muscles are more sore but they seemed to be getting more so each day.

12 answers to Tummy Tuck Constipation Can I Pull Internal Sutures

Constipation after Tummy Tuck

Pain medication can definitely make you constipated. I advise my tummy tuck patients to take Colase starting right after surgery to try to avoid the problem altogether. I think it is unlikely that you will damage your muscle repair. At this point, if you were my patient, I would recommend trying Dulcolax suppositories. However, I think you should speak to your surgeon to see what he/she recommends that you try.

Laurence Weider, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Constipation after tummy tuck.

The likely-hood of doing harm to internal sutures after a tummy tuck from being constipated alone is very low, even though it is possible. Talk to your plastic surgeon and she or he can help you. This is probably the most common complaint after a tummy tuck, and is often caused by the pain killers you were on. Get off all of them, hydrate, take a fiber based stool softener, and walk. You will be fine in no time.

Ayman Hakki, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

Stop "PUSHING"!

Constipation can be common in this situation. I would recommend against "pushing" on your newly tightened tummy. It could influence the final result. You are taking Colace which is a stool softener. What you need is a stimulant for bowel movement such as Ducolax or good old prune juice. With a stimulant and a softener the event of your bowel movement should be uneventful.

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and constipation

The combination of narcotics and immobility can constipate you. Putting too much strain on your belly may pull some of your internal stitches. Try the following: 1. Drink plenty of fluids 2. Take Colace twice a day until your first bowel movement 3. Use a pillow to hug while you try to move your bowels 4. Use a fleets enema, and drink hot lemon water(the master cleanser)

Emily Pollard, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

Constipation after Surgery and potential risks in Tummy Tuck Surgery

ALL pain pills constipate, lower blood pressure and lead to impaired thinking. People who are prone to constipation before surgery are at a higher risk for it after surgery. The colon acts both as a reservoir for stool as well as a device to remove excess water from it preserving it. When the colon moves stool rapidly by forceful contractions, people lose large amount of water and have diarrhea. All opiate pain pills reduce the frequency and power of the colon contractions (Peristalsis).... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Constipation Can I Pull Internal Sutures

On my patients I use a staged protocol, but you are not my patient so check with your surgeon of record. My protocol is first Colase, MOM, ant light PO laxative. Next is Fleets enemas x 2 at most. If still constipated I see the patient to do a digital rectal examination depending upon my findings dictates the next step. Internal muscle repair could be effected but slim possibility. Please call your surgeon

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Constipation after surgery; PREVENTION IS THE ANSWER!

CONSTIPATION SHOULD NEVER OCCUR AFTER ANY SURGERY. IT IS A COMMON KNOWN FACT THAT ALL OPIATE PAIN MEDICINES CAUSE A SEVERE DECREASE IN INTERSTNAL MOTILITY AND THIS LEADS TO CONSTIPATION. COLACE AND OTHER STOOL SOFTENERS ARE INADEQUATE TO PREVENT CONSTIPATION. I INSTRUCT ALL MY PATIENTS TO START MILK OF MAGNESIA (PHILLIPS) 1 OUNCE EVERY 4 HOURS ON POST OP DAY TWO AND CONTINUE UNTIL RESULTS. WITH MOM AND HYDRATION CONSTIPATION NEVER OCCURS. NO ONE STAYS... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

www.pacfps.com

Do Not Force

Yes. The plication sutures that are placed can break with straining. Also the forced effort can rip the muscle and can cause bleeding , swelling etc. Talk to your BC PS about what he wants you to do. I recommend to my patients not to strain,walk , fleets enema, colace. But all of this depends on YOUR surgeon who is taking care of you locally. Goo Luck.

Paul Albear, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.albearplasticsurgery.com

Do Not Fource it.

At this early stage you can pop sutures. The pain pills cause this. My patient have a colon cleaning before and strart on colace the day after surgery. I would take something mild and take twice a day until it corrects. If you strain to hard you could pop sutures or tear tissue. see video

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Pull through utures with straining

Absolutely possible. get a fleets enema. do not take a stimulant by mouth as it will give you cramps and worsen the problem. Dr. Rafael Cabrera

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Constipation after Tummy Tuck

It is very unlikely that you did anything to disrupt your internal sutures. However, you definately want to minimize the need for straining due to constipation. If already using Colace twice daily as you are, then I would recommend adding a tablespoon of Magnesium Citrate twice a day and a Dulcolax suppository in the morning. This should get you going, but be careful not to give yourself excessive diarrhea. Finally, if possible taper off of your narcotic pain... more

Erez Sternberg, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Constipation and tummy tuck

You are probably fine in regard to your muscle repair, but it is better not to strain your abdominal wall forcing a bowel movement. If stool softeners alone are not working, you probably need to add a laxative. Talk to your surgeon to see what they would suggest for you.