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What could this hard tender mass after hernia surgery be? (photos)

alk1988Dec 13, 2015
I had umbilical hernia surgery with mesh on 12/1/15. My abdomen is still severely swollen, and over the past few days I've developed this hard mass above my belly button that extends about 3 inches to the right. It is clearly visible and extremely tender. I'm having a hard time just wearing a tshirt because the slightest touch makes it throb. What could this be? And is it normal for me to be so swollen still? I don't go back for my post op visit until the end of the week.

Answers (5)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 143 Reviews
Answered on Dec 18, 2015
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Dr. Winfield Hartley, MD - Account Suspended
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Dec 15, 2015
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Dr. Jourdan Gottlieb, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Dec 15, 2015
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Dr. Ciro Adamo, PhD, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Dec 15, 2015
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Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Dec 15, 2015
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Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS

Hi, thank you for your question. At five months post op, you will still be undergoing healing, so there may be some unusual feelings you are experiencing. Swelling can persist for several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and even one year. It...

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Douglas Leppink, MD

We usually recommend that our Tummy Tuck patients by men's tank top t-shirts (ie. Fruit of the Loom) and wear them under thier binder to protect the incision. Buy the small so they are tight and do not bunch up. They can also be washed easily and are inexpensive!

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Winfield Hartley, MD - Account Suspended

While gravity dictates that most seromas are in the dependent portion of the surgical site ie the lower abdomen around the incision, it is not uncommon to have an isolated fluid collection above the umbilicus.  If the seroma is small, you can watch it conservatively, but if it is...

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Ozge Ergun, MD

Thanks for the question. Generally, abdominoplasty involves a recovery period of longer than most plastic surgical procedures. It generally takes 3 weeks to get over the first phase of recovery. However, downtime for abdominoplasty can vary from patient to patient, depends on the size of the ...

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Luke J. Curtsinger, MD

 A rash near the incision after tummy tuck can often be related to some type of irritant like Neosporin or bacitracin ointment or tissue adhesives that are used during surgery. The linear area of redness is unusual. You might ask your plastic surgeon if any high definition liposuction was...

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Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS

Hello. Thanks for your question. Swelling can persist for several months and will gradually improve and will look better at three months, six months, and even one year. The nerve pain you describe will subside after a year post op. During this time of healing, your nerves are regrowing in the...

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