Pain 5 years post op. What is happening? (Photo)

Question

Had a revision in 2019 and i still have a lot of pain on the right side around the navel which i dont hv anymore as flat. Im restrictedd to carrying out normal daily activities, sweeping, hoovering, carrying shopping, my tummy hurts so bad i brings me to tears. My tummy swells so bad i look pregnant. I have lost weight too so im not sure whats happening. I have paid for a private Mri scan and i have had ultra scan which shows the leftt side bigger than the right.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Helen1962,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It is not common to have pain five years after a tummy tuck.  A more in depth assessment is needed to determine what may be occurring.  Begin by visiting with your surgeon for an exam.  She/He will advise next steps based on the findings.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If your main concern is pain after the procedure than you’re probably not going to get many quality answers from plastic surgeons. Chronic pain even after a plastic surgery. Procedure is not something plastic surgeons are good at treating. To get an assessment on the outcome of your procedure you need to include proper before and after pictures. If you’ve had more than one operation that then you need to include before, and after pictures of each of the procedures you had. If you don’t have before and after pictures, then ask your surgeons to forward the ones they took. I see no indication to get an MRI especially if you’re paying out of pocket. 
The information you’ve included is very limited. It shows a bulging abdomen. The most common reasons patients bulge after having a tummy tuck is because of excess visceral fat. I could probably determined by looking at your preoperative pictures or during an examination. Excess of visceral fat can cause increased abdominal pressure from muscle tightening. The best way to treat this is with successful weight loss. When patient states that they’ve lost weight, they need to include with her current weight is and how many pounds or kilograms they’ve actually lost. The information included is insufficient to make an assessment on the outcome of your procedure and no one is going to be able to give you a clear answer on why you’re having discomfort. Sensation of tightness and potential discomfort can happen with increased interrupt, domino pressure, which happens on individuals who have excess visceral fat and have a tummy tuck which includes muscle tightening.
Consider re-posting with a clear chronological outcome of all procedures you’ve had including proper before, and after pictures, when symptoms or problems started, and any other pertinent information.
You can also consider having a second opinion in person consultations with other plastic surgeons in your community.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

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