Will I ever be normal after this tummy tuck?

Question

Persistent pain and sensory abnormalities after abdominoplasty. I am very upset that I ever got this surgery, because a year after this life changing surgery, I have discomfort and tightness in the area. When my twins squeeze my belly area, the skin actually hurts. It's painful. Let's say a button, or belt buckle rubs on it, it hurts. I have this hard ball near the incision area. Can a pseudobursa be causing this. Surgeon ignored the possibility of a seroma. I'm so unhappy because of the pain. Please help. My surgeon is sloppy. Don't direct me to him.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It could take quite some time for the scar tissue to break down which could be causing some if these issues.  Without an in person evaluation it's hard to determine what's actually going on, but the hard lump under the incision could possibly be some scar tissue which can be softened by having some cortisone injections and massage to the area.  I would recommend either following up with your surgeon or seeing another Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to re-evaluate  you and see what can be done to help this process along.  Best of luck to you.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,I reviewed your other posts. My suggestion is to find an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon who specializes in body contouring. I would perform 360 degree liposuction of your torso and completely revise your tummy tuck to both address a possible chronic seroma/bursa and lower the incision as much as possible. Always insist on progressive tension sutures to eliminate the need for drains (and reduce the risk of another seroma), and to optimize skin tension. Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ArizonaG,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after 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 you are having so much discomfort from your tummy tuck.  If you don't feel you are getting what you need from your surgeon you can visit with another board certified plastic surgeon near you for a second opinion.  You may want to bring along your operative report and pre op photos for reference.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation and discomfort are normal.
Hope this helps. Good luck :)

Giovanna Ghafoori, MD · Answer

Good morning, ArizonaG.  I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your surgery and having issues.  It is quite common to have pain and discomfort for 6 to 9 months after a tummy tuck, especially in the muscular areas, and occasionally for some to have these problems for even a year or more.  There can also be hypersensitivity and pain from damage, swelling, or scar tissue to the microscopic nerve endings.  An in-person exam would be necessary to help sort out whether medical treatments/medications for nerve pain would be more appropriate, or whether a tummy tuck revision might offer you relief to your pain.  A pseudobursa is often able to be diagnosed by physical exam, and if not, by CT or US.  However, scar tissue from a resolved chronic seroma/pseudobursa might not be definitively determined without surgical exploration.  Best of luck to you, and I hope that your pain resolves and that you are ultimately able to enjoy your TT.  Dr. Ghafoori

Jorge Jiménez Toribio, MD · Answer

Hi dear, thank you for your question.So sorry for what you've been through thus far, however pain at this point is not part of the process neither the results. It is hard to give you a proper assessment without first seeing you in person, I recommend consulting a board certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your case closely and determine which options are better fro you at the moment. Also, you could try expressing your concerns to the PS who performed this surgery on you and ask if there is something you can do but surgery would probably be the answer.Hope this helps,Dr. Jimenez Toribio Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

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