Pulling sensation 5 years after Tummy Tuck - what could this be?

Question

I had an abdominoplasty 5 years ago and still have a very uncomfortable pulling/tugging sensation from by bellybutton inward. It is constant and really affecting my life. I’ve had an mri and have been to many types of doctors and still can’t find a reason or relief for this. Can someone please help ???

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding belly button pain five years after your tummy tuck. I believe what you are experiencing is the pulling of scar tissue due to the permanent sutures placed in the rectus abdominus muscle. I believe this is due to excess scarring or possibly even the sutures themselves around your belly button. It is possible that all of your Studies are normal and still you are experiencing these problems. When the MRIs are formed, they take static pictures. That means they only take a picture of the area in question. I believe most of your pain comes when you are moving and shifting positions or perhaps even exercising. Therefore your pain comes when your body is moving. Ideally, there would be an imaging study that could picture this area while you are moving. Unfortunately, there is no machine invented yet. Therefore I would advise you to seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who is in thousands of tummy tucks to evaluate you and consider performing an exploratory procedure. During this procedure, an incision will be made through your prior tummy tech incision, and a section will be made up to the area of concern. The area will be carefully examined, and scar tissue should be released as well as any sutures in question. Any sutures in question will also be released. I fully believe that this should resolve your symptoms. If you don’t do anything about it, I don’t think your symptoms will improve. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. ("Verified" Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. ("Verified" Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear J4K1,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of the discomfort you are experiencing since your tummy tuck.  It is very unusual to have this five years since surgery.  Unfortunately without an in depth discussion and further information about your history it's difficult to say what may be causing it.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Tummy tuck is a pretty major operation and changes the bodies physiology and many sensations.

I don’t think anyone is going to be able to pinpoint an exact cause or ideology but most likely it’s related to aggressive muscle tightening combined with contractile scar tissue that forms from having surgery.

Try making a list of things that make symptoms worse or better and try to adjust accordingly.

Stretching exercises are probably your best option.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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