What Can I Do About Bulging, Sensation Problems After Tummy Tuck?

Thanks for your question Reshma -

It depends a bit on what your surgery involved and when you started noticing the bulge.

Abdominal contour is dependent on:
Skin envelope
Abdominal fat (subcutaneous and intrabdominal)
Muscles tightness
Intrinsic Swelling
Fluid collections

Skin Envelope -
People complaining of "abdominal bulge" after tummy tuck typically do not have issues with too much skin - that points to issues underneath the skin.

Abdominal fat -
This can be an issue in people who may be a little bit over their ideal body weight at the time of abdominoplasty. Ways to fix this include the tried and true diet and exercise or liposuction. Be sure to allow enough time between tummy tuck and liposuction to minimize complications.

Muscle tightness -
Muscles plication (or tightening) is usually a part of abdominoplasty. Either failure of the sutures or some laxity can cause a bulge. If the change in your contour was sudden or if you felt a pop - think about the plication having ruptured.

Swelling -
This can be the most common cause of contour issues post-abdominoplasty. Patients typically have swelling for two reasons. First surgery causes trauma and the body's response to trauma is to bring additional fluid into the area that has been traumatized. In addition, abdominoplasty involves dividing lymphatic channels (very very small conduits that normally pull fluid out of tissue) - until these channels grow back the area will not be able to remove excess fluid.
It is usually the most dependent (lowest) part of the surgery that stays swollen the longest.

Fluid collections -
Seromas (serous fluid collections) or hematomas (collections of old blood) can cause distortions of contour. Normally this will improve on its own but may require drainage.

In your case it may be a failure of the muscle plication. You should be evaluated by your plastic surgeon. Also consider getting a second opinion.

I hope this helps.

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients who receive this procedure should anticipate a significant recovery process. In our practice, we inform our patients that they will experience some bruising, swelling, and abnormal sensations in their abdomen for up to 6 to 8 months after surgery. We provide two different compression garments to each patient. These specific garments help compress the area that has been treated as well as provide support for the patient's comfort. At seven months, you're coming to the end of the healing process. It may be normal to have swelling in your describing and you should relay your concerns to your plastic surgeon as they may recommend a compression garment or massage that can help clear up the swelling. The sensations that you are feeling are most likely your nerves growing back. Once they have completed ceiling, you will no longer have these abnormal sensations.

To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:

A bulge after a tummy tuck with sloshing may be a seroma or fluid filled caivty that usually warrants treatment by aspiration of the fluid or even a revision to remove the pseudoburse (capsule). As for the sensation issue, it may still get better.

Have you gained any weight since surgery. Have started a core strengthening regimen?

If not I would arrange a personal evaluation by an expert in core strengthening and begin a routine. You may also want to consider desensitization therapy as well.