Tummy tuck side effects three years later?

Question

i had a tummy tuck in 2014..within six months i had a feeling of chese tightness, thought it was anxiety, then thought it was gall bladder, etc because i also had upper back pain..ruled out everything including cardiac issues. Just had a pulmonary work up which shows i have restrictive pulmonary issues. Can this be caused from the tummy tuck..less room now? causing a feeling of chest pressure?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Immediately after surgery there can be some restriction on chest wall expansion due to discomfort, but this usually resolves very quickly, within hours to days. What you are describing as "restrictive pulmonary issues" is likely due to an internal lung problem and should have nothing to do with your surgery. This is likely an issue that would have developed even if you did not have surgery. Best to see a pulmonary specialist to complete the workup and discuss options for medical treatment. Best of luck!

Bradley Remington, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for asking this question.  'Restrictive airway' is a term meant to imply restriction of the airways themselves, not a pressure phenomenon caused by abdominal contents pushing on your diaphragms upwards.  A good internist/pulmonologist (lung specialist) should help with a diagnosis.  Pulmonary function tests would be indicative of an issue.  
Best of luck.
Cheers,
Brad Remington, MD

Luis A. Fernandez Goico, MD · Answer

Hello, That is an interesting question indeed, and when the patient has a plenty of visceral fat (fat under the muscle) and a tummy tuck with muscle repair is performed some initial chest restriction may be evident. However, by this point (if there ever was) should have settled and if there never was before, it would be very strange to think the tummy tuck may be the cause. I would continue researching with specialists to get to the bottom of this, but I would dare to tell you it is very unlikely that the tummy tuck 3 years after would have that effect. Hope this resolves well.Take care, Dr. Fernandez Goico

Tummy tuck side effects three years later?

Answers (3)

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