Is it normal to not feel any tightness after tummy tuck with muscle repair? I'm 6 days post op.

Question

I had my tummy tuck with muscle repair 6 days ago. I expected to feel tightness after surgery after all my research. I've yet to have that feeling. I can stand straight. I walk hunched over because that is what I was advised to do for 2 weeks. My muscles were over 5 inches apart. Could he have not tightened them enough?

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Congratulations on your surgery. There is a long acting local anesthetic  called Exparel that a lot of plastic surgeons are using. This tremendously cuts down on pain and discomfort. I also use TissuGlue which also helps relieve some of the tension on the closure and seems to further minimize pain and discomfort. The TissuGlue also makes it possible to do a lot of tummy tucks without using a drain. If you are not having a lot of tightness, then that is a blessing. It's not likely that you were not adequately corrected; especially if you tummy is flat.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

I'm glad you're feeling great after tummy tuck with muscle repair. What do you look like? are you flat. Photos would be helpful. Not all patients feel extremely tight, but you should ask your plastic surgeon about your situation. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO :)

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Most all patients do feel tightness following an abdominoplasty with a significant muscle repair. If you have the results that you wanted (so far) and the muscle was repaired, then you are fortunate not to have much discomfort. Of course, you may just want to share your experience with your surgeon for any input from his/her perspective.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon not feel tight. Everybody heal different. Please follow instructions from your PS and express your concern.

Bernabe Vazquez, MD · Answer

Great question because it brings up an important point in tummy tuck surgery. Its my opinion and that of many experienced tummy tuck surgeons that tightening the muscles is something that is overdone,relatively in-effective and potentially dangerous.Hurrah for your surgeon who obviously did not fall for that trap. The rectus muscles and the sheath that covers them kinda like a burrito, normally lie next to each other with less than a quarter to half an inch of separation from each other. During pregnancy or significant weight gain the tissues stretch and the separation increases. This is called diastasis recti or separation of the muscles. During a tummy tuck, the edges of the separation are brought back together. In nearly 30 years of experience, I have rarely seen a separation greater than 3  inches. Most are 1-2 inches apart.  Over-correction of this separation is not anatomical, greatly increases the post op pain and can be dangerous because it infringes on the patient being able to breathe deeply and by increasing the pressure within the abdomen might be a contributing factor in the production of a blood clot in the leg veins resulting in the most dreaded complication in this surgery which is a pulmonary embolus. If you are able to walk straight 6 days after your surgery you probably have a safe and conscientious surgeon who followed good surgical principals. Be grateful, i'm sure you are going to get great result!

John A. Kotis, DO, FACS, FACOS · Answer

HiThank you for your question. It is not uncommon to not feel tightness. There are different responses following a tummy tuck in terms of sensation. i use a long acting injectable pain suppressant in the fascial layer above the muscle which seems to alleviate sensation of tightness and discomfort. It is best to communicate with your plastic surgeon regarding your concern. I wish you the best of luck.Dr Kotis

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Although I understand your concerns,  it is not unusual for patients to have very different experiences after tummy tuck surgery.  In other words, I would not be concerned that you do not "feel tightness" after the procedure. Best to communicate your concerns/questions directly with your plastic surgeon,  who will be your best resource when it comes to specific thoughts, advice, and/or meaningful reassurance. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Is it normal to not feel any tightness after tummy tuck with muscle repair? I'm 6 days post op.

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