Upper Belly Bulge After Tummy Tuck

Two years after my Tummy Tuck, my upper belly is still bulging. I do crunches and weights and it still pops out past my lower belly. Why is it still bulging? Is this subcutaneous fat?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by jolee65 in jerome,USA

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Persistent upper abdominal buldge after tummy tuck

There are several reasons why you may experience upper abdominal bulging after a tummy tuck. The most common reason is that there is residual swelling that can last for many months (but this is unlikely in your case being that you are 2 years post op). Also common is if your surgeon did not tighten the muscles as high as possible - this may lead to some laxity of the upper abdomen. Additionally, if the muscle was repaired all the way up, but was made tighter on the lower part, then... more

Several reasons for upper belly bulge after Tummy Tuck

Continued bulging of the upper tummy after tummy tuck may be due to: 1. The covering of the muscles(fascia) was never repaired in that location 2. There is excess fat and/or skin in the upper tummy 3. The lower ribs flair out and will not allow the upper tummy to be pulled in 4. There is a hernia The correction depends upon the cause.

Persistent upper abdomen bulge and fullness after tummy tuck

In some instances upper abdominal fullness is due to persistent fat which can be treated with liposuction and in other instances it is persistently loose skin that may benefit from a reverse abdominoplasty. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Bulge after a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a popular and very effective way to contour the abdomen and tighten the waist. During this surgery, surgeons use suture techniques to repair the muscles and create a tighter waist. If you continue to have a bulge in your upper abdomen two years after your surgery, it is possible that some of the sutures may have loosened and you currently are witnessing the bulge from your muscles. Your best bet is to be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has great deal of... more

Upper abdominal bulge after tummy tuck

It is tough to say why it is bulging without examining you. This could be residual fatty tissue that may be treated with liposuction. It could be a seroma or fluid collection. It could be wekaness of the upper musculature that may need to be tightened some more. These are the more common things.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Upper tummy bulge despite tummy tuck

The most likely reason for your persistent upper abdominal bulge is residual laxity (looseness) of the paired midline muscles of the upper abdomen. If the initial plication (muscle tightening) of the upper abdomen was disrupted, not tight, or not performed, the intra-abdominal contents will still push the upper abomen outward. In fact, if the lower abdominal plication is still intact, the upper bulge may be worse than it was preoperatively, as it may be the only place that the... more