Should you be able to push your belly out after a tummy tuck?

Question

I'm 7 weeks post op full tummy tuck, muscle repair and lipo. I can push my stomach out and make it look as if I didn't have a tummy tuck. Is that normal or is my tummy tuck a fail?

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Yes, if you push your abs out, it will make your stomach look paunchy. But at rest, your stomach should definitely be flatter than before. If not, discuss with your surgeon. Best, Dr. Nazarian

John Mesa, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck ( abdominoplasty) is a procedure to reshape the abdomen to give a flat tummy (abdomen) appearance lost usually after pregnancy.A tummy tuck, although makes the abdomen "flat" while in resting position  in patient candidates, doesn't  "freeze" the abdomen in a flap position. Since the tummy (abdomen) is composed of soft tissues, it should allow the tummy to be "pushed out" when the stomach is pushed out voluntarily (medical term = valsalva maneuver ) Per wikipedia: The Valsalva maneuver or Valsalva manoeuvre is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Without a series of photographs to better show what is taking place, it is possible for patients to push their stomach in and out after a tummy tuck to some degree.  Your stomach muscles and stomach skin are certainly tightened, but still need to be able to bend and stretch not only for movement but also for breathing and digestion. If there has been some change in your appearance since surgery, that may require an in-person examination by your doctor to ensure that no issues have developed.  Hope this helps.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

This is really a question that requires an examination.  There will always be some degree of laxity if you push your abdomen out but it should be better than it was prior to surgery.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Yes, you can still "push out" your abdominal wall after TT. Tightening the abdominal wall during TT surgery simply brings the muscles back into their normal anatomic position prior to childbirth, etc. We generally are not "over-correcting" it. Still, at rest, you probably have a nice improvement in your contour. Best wishes.

Should you be able to push your belly out after a tummy tuck?

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