Can a muscle repair be broken after a year and a half surgery? (photos)

Question

I had my tummy tuck a year and half ago and it was a successful experience. For the last 2 months, i have had swelling on the lower part of the abdomen on a daily basis. I had a major muscle repair back then as i used to look like 6 months pregnant. Now, i feel the same but with stretched skin and it is very uncomfortable. I did not gain weight and will looking at other health options if that one is not possible.

Zol Kryger, MD · Answer

It appears from your photos that your muscles have stretched out after surgery. This is termed a rectus diastasis. It can be redone by going back in through your incision. Why this occurred is not clear. It's possible the suture used tore or unraveled. It can also occur after weight gain or pregnancy. Good Luck.

Adrian Richards, MBBS, MSc · Answer

Thank you very much for your enquiry. It does look
from the picture from the front as if you do have some swelling of your tummy
although you do look generally quite slim.

It is possible that the muscle repair may have
spread slightly.  This is likely to be
the case if your tummy was flat immediately following surgery but has swollen
since then.

Some surgeons use stitches that your body absorbs
naturally for a repair of the muscles and if this is the case it is possible
that the stitches have absorbed and your muscles have widened slightly.

If you are not doing so already it would be
sensible to try a regime of core exercises to strengthen your muscles as much
as possible naturally.

It might also be worthwhile discussing your
concerns with your plastic surgeon directly. 
I wish you the best of luck.

Best wishes.

Paul Silverstein, MD (retired) · Answer

It is possible for a diastasis repair (muscle tightening) to breakdown, depending on what technique your surgeon used to accomplish the reconstruction.  For example, I have switched to using a continuous barbed suture for the muscle repair instead of individual sutures.  There have been reports of these sutures breaking, though I have not yet experienced that.If it turns out that the repair has broken, and you have not gained weight, then it can be repaired, but will require another surgery.  Your surgeon can discuss this with you.

Can a muscle repair be broken after a year and a half surgery? (photos)

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Can a muscle repair be broken after a year and a half surgery? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.