12 Days After Tummy Tuck - Did I Tear My Muscle Repair?

The pain and discomfort is very variable post abdominoplasty. Some patients like yourself are surprisingly very comfortable. It is usually the tissues that fail and not the sutures. If that were to happen at this stage, it would cause bleeding and it would be more painful.

Its very unlikely you torn anything, the sutures used to tighten the muscle are very strong and ripping through the muscle is very painful, you would know.
I still suggest you mention it to your surgeon since he is the only who knows what technique and what sutures were used.

Nearly any problem is reparable.  Sneezing is unlikely to affect your tummy tuck.

However, you must first determine if you have a problem that needs correction. This may be an easy diagnosis or one that requires time to become more apparent and may involve use of diagnostic imaging (MRI or Ultrasound).

It seems that you have two different issues at hand. Tummy tuck +/- incisional hernia? or diastasis repair? It is difficult to tell from your description. The former often invovles the use of a mesh like material whereas the second does not. The first is less dependent upon stitches than the latter.

Depending on which you had, the answer can be different.

Discuss your concerns with your surgeon, so that they may conduct an proper examination and order any tests if necessary and/or perform any required procedures.

12 days after surgery you may or may not still have discomfort from the muscle repair.  It is unlikely that you have a tear in your muscle repair.  Actually, if it tore, you may have more discomfort.  If there is any concern, you should see your surgeon for an evaluation.

 

Good Luck.

Early out of tummy tuck surgery, the concern with your description would be, the potential for disruption of sutures that are holding the abdominal wall muscles together in the midline.  

In general, it would take a significant amount of pressure to “tear" the muscle repair after tummy tuck surgery. This event would likely be associated with significant discomfort. A change in your physical examination, such as increased swelling, bleeding, a new onset "bulge" would also be likely.

Generally speaking, abdominal wall muscle plication performed during tummy tuck surgery is quite secure; disruption is very unusual. You will be best off following up with your plastic surgeon who will be your best resource when it comes to accurate assessment, advice, and/or meaningful reassurance.

Best wishes.