Bulging in tummy tuck area 1 year and 2 months post op? What could this be and how can I fix it? (Photos)

Noticing a bulge more than a year after tummy tuck can be concerning, especially since it was not present early in your recovery. There are several possible explanations. Sometimes the abdominal muscle repair can stretch or separate again, creating a new area of fullness. In other cases, a small hernia can develop at the belly button or along the incision. Localized fat deposits or scar tissue are also possibilities, although these usually appear earlier.
Because this developed months after the surgery, the most important step is to have your surgeon or another qualified specialist examine the area. An ultrasound or CT scan may be recommended to determine whether this is a hernia or muscle separation.
The good news is that most of these issues can be corrected, but the treatment depends on identifying the exact cause.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain the common reasons for bulging after tummy tuck and show patient examples of how they can be addressed.
— Güray Yesiladali, MD

Thank you for your inquiry! I would suggest reaching out to the surgeon for a follow-up. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

for unexplained changes post op, it is always a good idea to ask your surgeon to assure there are no post surgical complications going on. This does look like protuberance from visceral fat inside of the abdomen.

Please return to your surgeon for an assessment, You may have developed an issue with your abdominal muscle repair, or it could be that you’ve gained weight. Either way, your surgeon would be able to tell you what the issue may be.

This cannot be extra abdominal fat, this has to be intraabdominal fat. You have gained weight and have a weak abdominal wall. When I perform tummy tucks, I routinely use mesh, which creates a more hourglass figure, compresses the abdominal wall and results in early satiety as helps maintains the reduced weight. You may need a repeat tummy tuck with mesh reinforcement.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

It appears from your photographs that your problem is intra abdominal fat. I suggest you recheck your before and after weights to determine this.

Increased Treb abdominal fat combined with the relaxation of your muscles because of internal pressure can cause this problem.

I think weight loss is your best option

Based on your two post photos, it appears you might have a disruption of the recti muscle repair in the midline, but best to get an ultrasound of the ad and see if there’s a separation in the midline. If there is a separation then a full revision open tummy Require required, fee $10,000. If there is no disruption, then you must’ve gained internal abdomen weight so try losing 1015 pounds. Best to virtual consultant.

I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation. If you have gained weight the contour could be from visceral fat, which is the fat behind the abdominal wall that surrounds your organs. It also could be that the muscle repair failed. Your surgeon should be able to help determine what is occurring.