5 weeks post op Tummy Tuck with MR, has my muscle repair failed or is this swelling? (photos)

After a tummy tuck, it is not advisable to do any heavy lifting for at least 2 months after surgery.  It is most likely swelling, but it is not possible to determine whether the muscle repair has been damaged.

I commend you follow up with evaluation. It is unlikely that you would've ruptured your sutures at this point. This may represent swelling but an examination we give you the best answer.

Your pictures show a very nice result.  Doing too much too soon after a tummy tuck will make you very sore and there is a remote possibility that you may have done something to the muscle repair.  This is not an answer for an internet opinion.  You should see your surgeon soon to discuss.

This looks like a really nice outcome. The photos are all different in size, but I don't see much change from the early post op and the more recent. There may well be some change, and if so only an exam, preferably by your own surgeon will provide an answer to the question you have asked. All the best. 

Congraulations! The photos look great. Are you following your surgeon's advice post-operatively? Most surgeons don't allow heavy lifting for about 6 weeks after tummy tuck. Make sure you check in with your surgeon to be sure. You will need an in-person exam to see if you have swelling, fluid collection or dehiscence (failure) of the muscle repair. There is typically swelling after the first lengthy outing after surgery, so it may be normal, but get checked out to be certain.

To me appears as an excellent result. But IN PERSON examinations ALWAYS trump over the internet opinions...

 I am sorry to hear about your concerns after tummy tuck surgery. As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.
 Generally speaking, abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

We see intermittent swelling that is related to increased activity. Your best bet is to call your surgeon and go in for an appointment. Your surgeon will know what was done, what you looked like at the last appointment, and whether any fluid is causing swelling. So don't delay, you will have peace of mind.Click on the link below to see a tummy tuck that is fully healed.