How likely is it to undo a muscle repair by accident? (Photo)

Question

My biggest reason for doing this TT was for the muscle repair, which I was told was worse than the surgeon expected it to be. I am terrified of it coming undone somehow. What kind of thing would cause that to happen? Will abdominal workouts in the future (I'm talking months or more) undo it? Would trying to sit up using my core too soon undo the inside work? Falling? It is my biggest fear after necrosis.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello! You should talk to your surgeon regarding activity limits and recommendations. I typically ask my patients to avoid core work for 6 weeks, though they can start cardio ahead of that as long as all is healing well. Your surgeon can provide reassurance since she/he knows what kind of muscle repair was done.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear MommyWolf,   Thanks for submitting your picture, though a side view picture would have been helpful. Congratulation for you decent  outcome, at least from the front.   The answer to your fearful complication is that as long as you are careful with your activity after surgery, you should be able to maintain you result for many years. In my practice, my tummy tuck  patients are instructed to avoid strenuous activity for 6-8 weeks after surgery.   Every surgeon has it's own protocol for post operative activity, so, make sure to discus it with your surgeon and follow it strictly.                       All the best,                                              Dr Widder

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and congratulations on your tummy tuck, it appears that you will have a very nice result.  Undoing a a muscle repair would be very difficult with everyday activities like walking or sitting up.  Most surgeons will place a number of sutures to help protect the repair.  That said if you were to return to more strenuous exercise-related activities you may cause the repair to fail.  Be sure to follow your surgeons instructions and in 6-8 weeks your repair will be well-healed.  Hope this helps.

Robert B. Louton, MD · Answer

The muscle plication tightens the waist and flattens the abdomen.  The biggest enemy of muscle plication is visceral fat.  That is the internal fat which is pushing against the tightened muscles.  It is rare (though not impossible) to disrupt the plication by activity.  For a period of about six months after the procedure the muscle will be difficult to hold in completely.  That will improve with time.  The muscles must heal before you can stress them with abdominal exercise.  I tell my patients no sit-ups, crunches, planks, etc for 3 months.  Then reintroduce those activities gradually.  Other exercises that use the core as stabilizers I generally start after one month.  You should check with your PS for specifics on your recovery.  Necrosis is an early complication which is not depicted in the photographs.
I hope this helps.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

Muscle repair is a big part of getting a nice result for most patients having a Tummy Tuck.  It is not "easy" to undo if you follow your surgeons directions.  However, straining early after surgery can either break the sutures, or the stitches can tear through the tissues.  In either case, you can loose some or all of the flattening effect on your abdomen.   I always tell all my patients, no strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks, and that is still limited.  At three months, you can do whatever you want to do.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure; based on your photographs, I think that your plastic surgeon has done a very nice job for you (significant improvement in abdominal wall contour).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.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Yes, going back to the gym too soon or too much exertion too soon can cause a problem.  Best to review timing with your surgeon.

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