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Muscle Repair Question After Lipo of Flanks and TT with MR, 8 Days PO? (photo)

I am PO 8 days. Since if first removed my binder at PO day 3, there has been a large bulge on my right side at my waist (left side in pic). I think I look really twisted up, I saw my ps yesterday because I was worried about it but he said it was normal swelling, nothing to worry about it this early in the recovery process. But to me it looks and feels like the right side did not get stitched in like the left side. Is that even possible? I was not lopsided at all before the surgery.

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bulge muscle repair 1 week post-op

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by yoshimi33 in Virginia

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Muscle repair question after lipo of flanks and TT with MR, 8 days PO

Using your picture as my only source of physical examination, I would say your results at this point are normal. After a tummy tuck, it can take 6 to 8 weeks for the swelling to go down. At this time, I do not think there is a significant problem. It would be unlikely for you to be lopsided on one side due to inaccurate muscle tightening. After your tummy tuck,I believe it is very important for you to continue wearing a compression garment for at least 6 to 8 weeks. It is very important you... more

Swelling and asymmetry following liposuction and TT

It is very common to have swelling following liposuction. Many times the swelling is asymmetric. The majority of the swelling will resolve by 3 months, with some additional decrease up to 6 months following the procedure. You will not be able to truly assess the final outcome until 3 to 6 months post op. If you need any revisional procedures you should wait until then, because the appearance does change over time.

8 days post op

Is way too nearly to be judging results. Your doctor is correct and you are encouraged to be patient. If your doctor is fair and forthright, he/she will be honest with you should your concerns persist and be an issue for you. In my practice, revisions are almost certain with tummy tucks in pursuit of perfection.

Curtis Wong, MD

7 reviews

Redding Plastic Surgeon

MuscleRepair Question after Lipo of flanks and TT,8days po

It is much too early to evaluate any bulges. After these procedures you can have asymmetrical swelling for several months. The suturing of the muscles is usually done in the midline. Please continue to wear your binder and follow up with your Plastic Surgeon.

Post op tummy tuck

You are too early in the post op period to determine the final result. Swelling can take up to 6 months to resolve. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

3 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Repair Question After Lipo of Flanks and TT with MR, 8 Days PO?

Much ,much too early to tell. Wait 3 to 6 months to allow better healing than decide if you have an issue.

Asymmetrical Swelling after Liposuction and Tummy Tuck. Normal?

Thank you for the photo. You are very early on in the post operative course. Swelling can be asymmetrical. Continue wearing your binder. Please keep in contact with your plastic surgeon and express your concerns. Together you will make it through the process.

Swelling Can Be Asymmetrical

Swelling after a tummy tuck when combined with lipo can sometimes be asymmetrical. A small amound of bruising on one side can lead to swelling that resolves with time. I would agree with your surgeon that it is too early to evaluate your results. Be patient and have further discussions with your surgeon.

Loopsided Tummy Tuck

Your recovery process is very early. This most likely represents swelling. When the muscle is sutured it is typically sutured in the mid-line (center). Continue to follow up with your PS. He/She is there to guide you through this process. Dr. ES

Early asymmetry following an abdominoplasty

There is some degree of asymmetry noted from your photograph. You are still very early in the recovery and any asymmetries that you are seeing are most likely temporary. Continue to follow post operative instructions and as you heal you should see an improvement. If not you may just need liposuction to even things out.

Sources of asymmetric fullness after a tummy tuck

Hello, Thank you for the question and the photo. There are several potential sources of asymmetric fullness after a tummy tuck including: excess fat, swelling, asymmetric muscle tightening, asymmetric skin closure, hematoma, and seroma. I do not see any bruising and the area in question is an uncommon area for hematoma or seroma. I would continue to wear your abdominal binder tightly and see if things change. Asymmetric closure and swelling will tend to resolve.... more

Assymetry in the early PostOp period after Tummy Tuck

Dear Yoshimi33 Minor assymetries are extremely common after cosmetic surgery in the early post operative period. They may be caused by a number of benign factors, some of which include: swelling or fluid collections (as others have mentioned). It would be very difficult to know what the situation is in your case without seeing you more closely and examining you. I'm sure you are keeping close tabs with your plastic surgeon, and he/she with you in this early post op period. That's the... more

Eary Tummy Tuck results.

On your pic, you do have asymmetry. It is too early to say if this is permanent however. It is not likely a muscle issue, it is more likely a fat issue. If there is a larger/thicker fat pad on your right side that does not resolve, lipo will treat it easily. Swelling and fluid collections are also possible contributors. Communicate with your PS your concerns again. sek

Too early to comment on swelling

I don't think I can clearly visualize your concern from the photo submitted, but there can be more swelling on one side of the abdomen due to binder placement or how you have been sitting etc. It takes about 3 to 6 weeks for tissue edema to begin to subside. Your best option is to wait and discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon. It is not likely to be a problem.

Can a muscle repair with tummy tuck give asymmetry?

The muscle repair should not cause this. I use a drain on every patient. fluid can be trapped and the positioning of the binder can contribute to this. This is very early after surgery so I don't know why this is happening.

Tummy Tuck Lipo and Asymmetry at Day 8

If you can touch the larger side and you see a fluid wave, you have a fluid collection that needs to be drained. This could very well be asymmetric swelling due to positioning, binder position, etc. At this early date, your plastic surgeon is a great resource, and his exam is much better than speculation on my part.

Early swelling

Early post op swelling can bein very distorting. I see this very often. Try and be patient and listen to you plastic surgeon. It would be different if it was a few months. Good luck

Question After Lipo of Flanks and TT

Thank you for your question and for the photo posted. I do see more fullness in the flank on the right side. It is hard to comment further without seeing a comparable pre-op photo. From the looks of the dressing, the flanks are well beyond what would have been addressed by the TT, but in the range of the liposuction-treated areas. If this area is indeed different than it was before surgery, it may have to do with the amount of fat suctioned, but not with the suturing of the TT... more