Has my Tummy Tuck Muscle Repair Come Undone?

I am 4 months post op and still have significant swelling, especially in my upper abs. But I am wondering if it is indeed swelling or has my muscle repair come undone. If I suck in my stomach then I see a tiny bit of definition, but only then. I was in great shape before surgery, so with the muscle repair and lose skin removed, I expected to see more definition.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Cupcakediva

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Tummy tuck muscle repair

Thank you for the question. There are several causes of fullness of the upper abdominal area after abdominoplasty surgery. Some of these include fluid below the abdominal wall skin (seroma), swelling of the abdominal wall flap (tissue edema), continued excess skin of the abdominal wall, or laxity of the abdominal wall musculature (insufficient tightening of the plication or relaxation/failure of the plication sutures. If you palpate the abdominal wall muscles in... more

Tummy tuck muscle repair.

When the muscle repair comes "undone" it usually manifests as a bulge above the belly button. This can be accentuated by lying flat then lifting both your head and feet off the floor. Some of the definition (ie the 6-pack) can be disrupted from the procedure as the fibrous bands that connect the skin to the muscle fascia are cut. This can result in the loss of some definition of the 6-pack. Thankfully, most people with this degree of definition are not having abdominoplasties.... more

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Concern about possible muscle breakage in upper abdomen after a tummy tuck

At 4 months you will still have swelling but typically you will see more lower down than higher up. If there were disruption of the muscle repair here, you would tend to see a significant bulge which sometimes is quite discrete. Without photos, it is difficult to comment on your "loss of definition". For an accurate answer, you should be seen by your surgeon who could then examine you.

Upper bulge after tummy tuck

It is possible that your muscle repair did not extend all the way up to the chest. Tummy tuck can only corrrect poor posture and abdominal tone to a degree. All can allow the abdomen to relax and protrude forward, and 'suck in' as you say and have better contour. Suturing alone will not create tone and contour after tummy tuck, though if things don't look right have your surgeon take a look. The swelling thing after four months does not seem likely. Best of... more

Upper abdominal swelling after tummy tuck

At four months, you do still have some swelling, which will likely diminish during the next few months. In addition to the possibility of residual excess skin, swelling, or relaxation of the plication, it is possible for a patient who is in great shape before abdominoplasty to actually lose some definition and have added thickness of the epigastrium (area above belly button) after abdominoplasty because of the way skin and fat are rearranged during the procedure. Plication of the... more

Tummy Tuck Results

Without pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice. However, if you have an unnatural bulge or contour issue, you should talk to your surgeon about your options. Good Luck.

Has my tummy tuck repair come undone?

I recommend that you see your plastic surgeon to answer your question. Without a physical examination (above and beyond just pictures), it is very difficult to give any advice. Good luck!