Muscle repair failure after tummy tuck?

Question

I am almost 12 weeks post tummy tuck. I am still wearing my Spanx 24 hours a day and have not been doing core training yet. However, I can already feel my multi finger Diastasis gap in my abdominal muscles from above my naval all the way up. It seems as though my muscle repair failed. Why would this have happened? I followed every single post op rule :( Will a revision surgery be a good fix for this? I am not sure I can afford a revision and child care for 6-8 weeks again!

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Marylander,    Front and side view pictures would have been very helpful and sorry for your problem. The reason for your problem can be due to not following instruction of no strenuous activity, or not wearing the abdominal Velcro binder, or surgeon's technique of using absorbing sutures.     You will have to discuss your situation with your surgeon and consider your options. At 12 weeks after surgery, there is still a chance that if you will wear a tights Velcro binder on the upper abdomen, it will allow the scar tissue of the muscle repair to tighten up. If after additional 3 months of that approach the problem does not resolve, you will have to consider redo tummy tuck, in order to tighten the muscles.        Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeon who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with falt stomach, tight and youthful looking skin, nice belly button, improved body posture and low scar.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!You should certainly be evaluated by your operating surgeon to get his/her viewpoint on what happened and review your preoperative photos. With severely lax muscles, I like to reinforce my repair of the diastasis with mesh, particularly for women who complain of always looking pregnant. You will need to allow time for scar to settle from the original surgery before proceeding with further surgery, at least 9 months from the original. You will get a great deal of swelling in the tissues if a surgeon reoperates this quickly.In the meantime you should find out what is allowed physically and work on exercise and diet to optimize results.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

You need to see your Plastic Surgeon and be examined to determine how your postop recovery is progressing.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You would have to be seen in person to be properly evaluated. I assume you had it repaired during your tummy tuck.  Check with your surgeon.  Perhaps the sutures loosened up?

Muscle repair failure after tummy tuck?

Answers (4)

Answer: Diastasis

Answer: Diastasis

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Muscle repair failure after tummy tuck?

Answers (4)

Answer: Diastasis

Answer: Diastasis

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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.