Can This Tummy Tuck Nightmare Be Fixed? (photo)

I had a tummy tuck done almost a year ago. I am in horrible pain and swelling everyday. I was a very active woman and I only weighed 125lbs. Now, I cannot exercise without severe swelling and pain an daily activities are so hard to do. I have three children and this nightmare of a tummy tuck has completely changed my life . PLEASE, if you know anything that can help me, I AM DESPERATE !!!!! My doctor keeps giving me the run around and after 1 CT and 2 ultrasounds he still says he doesn't know.

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pain swelling 1 year post-op 110-129 lbs

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by luvinmy3kids

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (1)

Can This Tummy Tuck Nightmare Be Fixed? (photo)

Sorry for your issues. Best to obtain in person second opinions. And take your scans with you. It appears as a upper lateral quadrant issue, hernia or split in muscle/fascia. Follow up please.

Unusual pain syndrome following an abdominoplasty

It is hard to understand the exact etiology of your pain. It does sound like it is sensory nerve related. It would be helpful to know if you can isolate a point on your abdomen from which the pain radiates. It is possible that a sensory nerve has been caught up in the suturing of your abdomen or that the sensory nerves are surrounded by excessive scar tissue. It is unlikely that if it was a nerve related problem that a CT scan or ultrasound would be diagnostic.... more

Can This Tummy Tuck Nightmare Be Fixed?

I am sorry to read about your postop course. There is very little info here from which to try to determine the cause of your problems. Unfortunately, the photos are not standard views and don't show the whole abdomen, from the front and side, so it is hard to see the actual problem. However, even with more info it is highly unlikely that this will be figured out over the internet. Advice--start with your primary doc, as it sounds like your surgeon cannot figure... more

Tummy Tuck Nightmare #tummytuck

It is hard to really know what problems you are having without examining you and seeing your scans. The cause of the right upper abdominal bulge can be many things. I also do not understand from your description what your pain really is or where your pain is. Abdominal wall issues can be very complicated or very simple and that usually can only be determined by direct physical exam. Seek as many opinions as it takes until you find the right person. You will know when you do. more

Pain after a tummy tuck

At this point, it's hard to say what's wrong with you without actually seeing you. However, if the CT scans and ultrasounds are negative, you might need to be re-tightened to get a flatter belly. If it's nerve pain, I would recommend seeing nerve specialist, Dr. Eric Williams in Baltimore, MD, who has a lot of experience with this sort of thing. Good luck! see video

Tummy Tuck and Chronic Pain

Where is the pain? Is it confined to a certain area? Does it radiate? Is there anything that makes it better? If it is a very generalized pain, and the CT scan and ultrasound proved fruitless, I would consider a pain management specialist after an examination by an internal medicine doctor. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Tummy Tuck Complications

I would like to know what the studies showed before I render a formal opinion. For example, is there a fluid collection? What is the nature of your pain exactly? What do you mean by "the run around"? It may be that a repeat tummy tuck may be in order, or some sort of nerve procedure may be in order. We need much more information to advise you. sek

Tummy Tuck Post Op

I am sorry to hear about your pain. You should really see you primary care doctor who can do a complete history, exam and review your tests to help you resolve this issue.

Possible reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RDS) of abdomen

This is a very unusual case and the photos are not particularly helpful but you may have a case of abdominal reflex sympathetic dystrophy which may cause the pain, swelling and usually some redness. I am not an expert in this but RSD is usually taken care of by pain specialists and is much more common in the extremities. Good luck.

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Comments (1)

luvinmy3kids 27 Feb 2013

My pain is on my right upper side where the bulge is. I ha to have a chest scan a week after to check for a blood clot and I told the RT I could not lay completely back. He didn't listen and started to lay me back and then dropped me flat on my back! It felt like my stomach tore in half, I was screaming!!! Now I'm left with this bulge and a stabbing pain and when I move it feels like the area above my navel is tearing or ripping apart! It's awful. My other side and the rest of my abdomen does not hurt. The swelling and pain is just in that area. After I eat which I can't eat much because when my abdomen expands it feels a lot worse and sometimes it makes it even hard to breathe. I need help bad, I just don't know what to do. I'm going to another PS for a second opinion in March.

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