How Do I Know if I've Damaged my Tummy Tuck?

If you did not have any increased pain after lifting the door, it is unlikely that the muscle repair was damaged. Most likely it just some swelling but I would let your surgeon know what is going on so they can better evaluate you.

Most surgeons recommend avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for a period of 4-8 weeks after abdominoplasty to allow things to heal appropriately

It is difficult to tell you via this blog.  The best advice I can give is to discuss this with your surgeon at your follow up appointment.

Dr. ES

If patients engage in activity that would jeopardize the repair of the abdominal wall after a tummy tuck, pain would prevent them from completing the damage long before this occured.  Patients should be mindful of the possibility of damaging the repair by heavy lifting, but I doubt you have done anything of long term significance by opening a garage door.

In reality, you probably did not injure your tummy tuck but for your piece of mind I would recommend seeing your Plastic Surgeon for reassurance.  Early lifting is definitely not recommended but it is rare that a patient can actually undo a tummy tuck unless they do something extremely aggressive in the very early post-operative healing period.

I hope that helps!

inform your physician who will likely follow you but he/she can obain a CT scan (see VIDEO link below) and/or a high resolution ultrasound to make a definitive diagnosis.

I'm sorry to hear about your mishap after tummy tuck surgery.It would take a lot of force/trauma to do any real “damage”.  The only real/meaningful peace of mind you will achieve is after you are  examined by your plastic surgeon.Best wishes.

Hi,

  Swelling under the belly button area to the pubis is normal and will exist even up to a year or more.  Be patient.  Tell you doctor and make sure that all is good but it would be very unlikely that lifting  a garage door after two weeks would hurt your long term result.

It is unlikely you did any significant damage to your tummy tuck.  But the best way to know is to have your plastic surgery see you for a postoperative visit.

If you dd not feel anything "pop" or expand quickly, I doubt that you caused any  damage. If you are concerned then I suggest you speak to your doctor.

I would recommend going to see your board - certified plastic surgeon in order to let them examine you and determine if any injury has occured.