Tummy Tuck Q&A
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Do I Need a Tummy Tuck Revision? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by kimjape in Woodstock, Georgia
Latest answer by David Bogue, MD
Question viewed 466 times
Tags: 2 months post-op, final result, options, protruding

I am 8 wks po from a FTT and lipo of the flanks. Since day 1 I have had this protrusion of what appears to be muscle on the left side. also very slight on the right side. I have addressed this with the doctor and the nurse when I had my second drain removed 14 days post op. I was told this would flatten out with compression. I have worn my compression garment faithfully but the protrusion shows no sign of receding. What is this? Can it be fixed?

14 answers to Do I Need a Tummy Tuck Revision? (photo)

+1

Skin folds following tummy tuck.

This appears to be a pleating or skin fold after your tummy tuck. Although 2 months seems like a long time, I would give this at least 6 months before contemplating a revision. These can sometimes occur from internal sutures (either muscle plication or progressive tension sutures).
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bands 8 weeks post tummy tuck

It is unlikely that the folds that you are concerned about will resolve over time sufficiently that you would not need a revision. Nevertheless, you are only 8 weeks postoperative - a point in time that is far from full maturation of the tissue healing. Give this around 6 months and if it persists, then pursuing a revision may be warranted.
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Traction Lines

These lines may or may not resolve with time. Massage and endermologie may help. I recommend waiting for a few more months to see if they will flatten on their own. If not, revision is not that complicated to release the tension lines.
Donald Griffin, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Revision not Appropriate until adequate time has passed

Hi there- While I can definitely see why you are concerned, I would not pursue any revision until you can be confident that this will not improve on its own- which would require 3-6 months. Follow all of your surgeon's instructions carefully and make sure not to miss any appointments. After this time period, if the area still bothers you, discuss it with him again.
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

Irregular folds following tummy tuck

These look like folds of skin.. they may resolve with time.. i would not re operate for at least 6 mos.. consider endermologie or ultrasound
Jed H. Horowitz, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do I Need a Tummy Tuck Revision? (photo)

To me it appears based upon the posted photos that the dissection laterally was very limited. So now you have "traction" lines due to the adherence of the skin/fat flap to the underlying fascia/muscle. Only additional surgery can release this. Sorry
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck revision should wait

The bulges on the photo are most likely traction lines from the skin pull after your tummy tuck, and are not muscle bulges. This can be caused by how the skin was raised or sutured, or by the muscle plication. Revision should wait as the skin may relax and the 'folds' smooth out over the next six months or longer. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Linear Skin Flap Indentations After A Tummy Tuck

What you have are skin irregularities not visible muscle edges after your tummy tuck. These are due to the limited lateral extent of the abdominal flap underlining and the amount of pull to bring the flap down and close it during the procedure. That is why they are linear and exist on both sides. It is possible that they may represent seromas but I doubt it. Whether these will go away with more time is unknown but it is way too early to know for sure. These need a full six months... more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy tuck revision

At eight weeks postop, it is still too early to determine whether a revision is required. Additionally, a muscle bulge can only be elucidated by physical examination. You should give the abdomen more time in which to heal and discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Revision?

You aren't very far out from surgery. It can take 3-6 months before all the swelling subsides. I don't even take after pictures until someone is at least six months post-op. I would talk to your surgeon about your concerns in another month or two.
Jeffrey Hartog, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Need Tummy Tuck Revision?

Based on your pictures, it may be best to wait a few months before judging the final result. The skin irregularity may resolve after a few more months.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Protrusion after TT

It looks like you have the same thing on the other side. ? Make sure it is not fluid (seroma), which would be soft and water like. If not it may be due to the way the muscle tightening sutures were placed. Trust you surgeon. You could probably massage there and maybe get some physical therapy massage and ultrasound if the surgeon thinks it's ok.
Ronald Schuster, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

+1

Tummy tuck and post op protrusion

In most cases, protrusion or swelling following a tummy tuck is associated with seroma (fluid pocket) formation. If the seroma is large it can be aspirated with a needle and syringe. If it continues to recur a closed suction drain can be placed to keep it from reforming. If the seroma is small, it can be treated with a compression garment. Limiting one's fluid and salt intake for a few weeks can also help it resolve. From your photos, it is... more
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon

www.vincentleporemd.com

+1

Tummy Tuck Revision?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Your plastic surgeon will be the best person to evaluate your situation based on physical examination. However, from what I can see, I do not think you're dealing with a “muscle” issue. I think you're likely dealing with skin contour irregularity that may have occurred secondary to the skin redraping with the tummy tuck surgery. At this point, revision surgery is not indicated. I would wait at... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

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