One of my top two fears after having had my tummy tuck a week ago is tearing or otherwise undoing the internal work on my muscles. It's extremely painful to cough, and today I vomited a few times. Also obviously extremely painful. A family member told me not to worry because "it's been a week, everything is closed up", but my pain level along with reading on the topic and my surgeon's activity guidelines suggest otherwise. So on average, when are muscles considered "closed up" and safe to use?
Answer: Muscle healing Good question. In general, her body should have made enough of its own natural biologic glue and scar tissue at about two months. At that point, even if the stitches were to rupture or break, the scar that is formed should hold the muscle repair together, in my opinion. Best of luck! Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA
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Answer: Muscle healing Good question. In general, her body should have made enough of its own natural biologic glue and scar tissue at about two months. At that point, even if the stitches were to rupture or break, the scar that is formed should hold the muscle repair together, in my opinion. Best of luck! Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA
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April 24, 2021
Answer: 2 months I would say 2 months is the time frame to be very careful. I have seen a few popped sutures over the last 14 years but it is very rare. Your doctor can examine you if it has occurred. I have not seen them pop due to post operative vomiting, I hope this helps,Good Luck
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April 24, 2021
Answer: 2 months I would say 2 months is the time frame to be very careful. I have seen a few popped sutures over the last 14 years but it is very rare. Your doctor can examine you if it has occurred. I have not seen them pop due to post operative vomiting, I hope this helps,Good Luck
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June 2, 2017
Answer: Safety after Muscle Repair The stitches of the Muscle repair will remain strong enough to endure all type of muscle efforts for 3 months if it was done using absorbable stitches. After that time scar tissue will take place as strong as the stitches themselves.For that reason I use non-absorbable stiches. Scar tissue only will close even stronger.Eventhough you feel coughing or vomiting may tear up the MR, it will be almost impossible.Be confidentDr. Cardenas
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June 2, 2017
Answer: Safety after Muscle Repair The stitches of the Muscle repair will remain strong enough to endure all type of muscle efforts for 3 months if it was done using absorbable stitches. After that time scar tissue will take place as strong as the stitches themselves.For that reason I use non-absorbable stiches. Scar tissue only will close even stronger.Eventhough you feel coughing or vomiting may tear up the MR, it will be almost impossible.Be confidentDr. Cardenas
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June 3, 2017
Answer: How long before muscle repair is "secure" after a tummy tuck? Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure. It will be several months before the muscle plication will be considered "secure". In general, it would take a significant amount of pressure to “undo" the muscle repair after tummy tuck surgery. This event would likely be associated with significant discomfort. A change in your physical examination, such as increased swelling, bleeding, a new onset "bulge" would also be likely. In other words, generally speaking, abdominal wall muscle plication performed during tummy tuck surgery is quite secure; disruption is very unusual. My best advice: return to your preoperative activity level in a very gradual/careful fashion, under the guidance of your plastic surgeon. In the longer term, you should be able to return to full activity ( without concern for disruption of the abdominal wall plication), including workouts etc. Best wishes for an outcome you will be very pleased with long-term.
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June 3, 2017
Answer: How long before muscle repair is "secure" after a tummy tuck? Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure. It will be several months before the muscle plication will be considered "secure". In general, it would take a significant amount of pressure to “undo" the muscle repair after tummy tuck surgery. This event would likely be associated with significant discomfort. A change in your physical examination, such as increased swelling, bleeding, a new onset "bulge" would also be likely. In other words, generally speaking, abdominal wall muscle plication performed during tummy tuck surgery is quite secure; disruption is very unusual. My best advice: return to your preoperative activity level in a very gradual/careful fashion, under the guidance of your plastic surgeon. In the longer term, you should be able to return to full activity ( without concern for disruption of the abdominal wall plication), including workouts etc. Best wishes for an outcome you will be very pleased with long-term.
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Answer: Straight I my practice patients may begin walking for exercise after two weeks; more strenuous cardio after one month; then after three months they may begin to work the abdominals gradually and low reps. Theoretically complete healing takes six months to one year. It would be unusual (though not impossible) to rip the muscle repair by coughing or vomiting. I hope this helps.
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Answer: Straight I my practice patients may begin walking for exercise after two weeks; more strenuous cardio after one month; then after three months they may begin to work the abdominals gradually and low reps. Theoretically complete healing takes six months to one year. It would be unusual (though not impossible) to rip the muscle repair by coughing or vomiting. I hope this helps.
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