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Why Do my Upper Abs Protrude After Having a Tummy Tuck a Year Ago?

asked 1 year ago by yelloworchid in maryland
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 350 times
Tags: abdomen, protruding

There is also a strain in the upper abdominals with slight pain and it is increased with using bathroom and lifting. I do not think this is a hernia. What else could cause this?

4 answers to Why Do my Upper Abs Protrude After Having a Tummy Tuck a Year Ago?

+2

Upper abdominal looseness after a tummy tuck

There is some more information needed to properly assess your condition, especially without being able to examine you.  If your upper abdominal fullness was apparent almost from the start, your upper abdominal muscles most likely were not tightened adequately.  If on another hand this is a more recent phenomena, you could have either recurrent diastasis, or even a ventral hernia. I'd advise starting with seeing your original surgeon, of course if his explanation... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Upper Abdominal Fullness 1 Year After Tummy Tuck

It sounds like you may have a hernia. One year after surgery some patients still have some discomfort from their muscle tightening, but should not have a protruding abdomen. It's also possible that your surgeon either didn't tighten your muscles at all or possible only tightened the lower abdomen. This would also possible cause greater fullness of the upper abdomen.    Talk to your surgeon  
Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

+1

A ggod looking belly still requires proper muscle exercise after a tummy tuck

In my opinion and experience,  one of the most common causes responsible for persistent fullness of the abdomen after tummy tuck is improper use of muscles despite surgical reapproximation. This explains the worsening with bowel movements (straining with valsalva maneuver). Consder undertaking supervised Pilates exerecise instruction.  
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck and Muscle Plication

It really depends if you had a full plication or not and if there was enough of the soft tissue release.  These are two reasons why some patients can have upper abdominal fullness after a tummy tuck. Hope that helps.  Again it could also always b a hernia.
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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