Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

Question

Marie E. Montag, MD · Answer

By this time all of the swelling of your stomach should have resolved, you are probably at your final result from the surgery.  Two things could still be making your stomach feel heavy: The first is that you may have a significant amount of fat inside of your abdominal cavity (around the intestines), this is the fat that cannot be accessed or removed with a tummy tuck and only improved with diet and exercise. Often this is attributed to genetics.  The other possibility is that it is residual fat of the abdominal wall that your surgeon did not feel it was safe to remove at the initial surgery.  If we are too aggressive with fat removal at the time of a tummy tuck there can be serious wound healing problems that result in prolonged healing and scarring.  Most surgeons tend to be a little conservative with the fat removal to avoid complications.  It would be safe now to go back and remove more of this fat with liposuction to get a better long term result.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

The cause could be many reasons. Only in person second opinions and possible scan of abdomen would help determine the diagnosis...

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

A heavy feeling the stomach or bloating could be gastrointestinal problem like gluten sensitivity are food allergies. Talk to your plastic surgeon and your primary care Dr. about this heavy feeling.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

An evaluation by your surgeon based on an in person exam is in order. Without photos from before surgery and now, it will not be possible to offer any specific answer to your question.Best wishes.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Since you are a year post op, it is doubtful that your problem is related to your surgery. An in person exam is needed to determine how to resolve the issue.  Follow up with your Plastic Surgeon.  Best wishes!

Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

Answers (5)

Answer: One year

Answer: One year

Answer: Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

Answer: Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

Answers (5)

Answer: One year

Answer: One year

Answer: Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

Answer: Why does my stomach feel heavy and have a pooch a year after tummy tuck and liposuction?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.