I am 6 months post op Umbilical Float Tummy Tuck, no lipo. I have a horrible ledge, shelf, step off right above my scar. I was told it was possibly swelling but I have a feeling its fat or uneven thickness. How is this fixed? Is there anyway to know for sure if it is fluid vs. residual fat? I was instructed by my plastic surgeon to NOT wear compression. I will say, my stomach has never been flat post op, the shelf is very prominent and looks like I am pregnant.
Answer: Prominent lower belly Your surgeon should have a high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) at his/her disposal by this point in time. 5 seconds of scanning will tell the surgeon if there is a seroma or not, or if there is an issue with the abdominal wall repair (unlikely). In that case, it would be a combination of swelling and excess fat. I prefer patients wait at least 9 to 12 months from tummy tuck surgery before any additional liposuction is performed. Keep in mind that the results of liposuction would be improved with more skin advancement, but only below the belly button. This gives the surgeon the opportunity to lower you incision further and tighten skin.
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Answer: Prominent lower belly Your surgeon should have a high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) at his/her disposal by this point in time. 5 seconds of scanning will tell the surgeon if there is a seroma or not, or if there is an issue with the abdominal wall repair (unlikely). In that case, it would be a combination of swelling and excess fat. I prefer patients wait at least 9 to 12 months from tummy tuck surgery before any additional liposuction is performed. Keep in mind that the results of liposuction would be improved with more skin advancement, but only below the belly button. This gives the surgeon the opportunity to lower you incision further and tighten skin.
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Answer: Lower abdominal bulge after tummy tuck while retained fluid can definitely cause a bulge in the lower abdomen after her tummy tuck based on your pictures, I would not suspect that. The important thing would be to determine whether the bulge is from an excessive fat accumulation, or if it is a residual muscle weakness (diastasis). I would determine this by examining. If it is out of stimulation, then liposuction would take care of it. If it’s a residual diastasis, you may need a revision tummy tuck to reconstruct the muscle muscles of the lower abdomen.
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Answer: Lower abdominal bulge after tummy tuck while retained fluid can definitely cause a bulge in the lower abdomen after her tummy tuck based on your pictures, I would not suspect that. The important thing would be to determine whether the bulge is from an excessive fat accumulation, or if it is a residual muscle weakness (diastasis). I would determine this by examining. If it is out of stimulation, then liposuction would take care of it. If it’s a residual diastasis, you may need a revision tummy tuck to reconstruct the muscle muscles of the lower abdomen.
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July 6, 2024
Answer: Liposuction Liposuction will help flatten your tummy now that your skin and muscle have been nicely tightened with the tuck. This can be done with local anesthesia and minimal downtime and risk.
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July 6, 2024
Answer: Liposuction Liposuction will help flatten your tummy now that your skin and muscle have been nicely tightened with the tuck. This can be done with local anesthesia and minimal downtime and risk.
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June 11, 2024
Answer: Tummy tuck results Dear susangro2570,
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June 11, 2024
Answer: Tummy tuck results Dear susangro2570,
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May 22, 2024
Answer: How can this be fixed? The correction of this contour will depend on the cause. If it is a seroma then it must be addressed by your surgeon. An ultrasound (often performed in the office) can determine if one is present. If the contour is from excess fatty tissue then liposuction should give you a flatter tummy. Compression would be beneficial if lipo is performed. At six months post op swelling from your surgery has resolved.
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May 22, 2024
Answer: How can this be fixed? The correction of this contour will depend on the cause. If it is a seroma then it must be addressed by your surgeon. An ultrasound (often performed in the office) can determine if one is present. If the contour is from excess fatty tissue then liposuction should give you a flatter tummy. Compression would be beneficial if lipo is performed. At six months post op swelling from your surgery has resolved.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
