Something I've noticed to a distracting degree recently is that my upper abdomen bulges out. At and below my belly button, it's flat. But above, it rounds out. The pictures are first thing in the morning, nothing eaten, so it's not food (though it is much more noticeable after eating). The left of each is relaxed, right flexed and pretty much flat (not sucking in). Not any unusual pain with it, it just feels kind of hard and tight. Will exercise help? Or is it swelling? Or something else?
August 8, 2017
Answer: Upper abdominal swelling At 10 weeks you may still have some degree of swelling. However, what I think is most likely is that the bulge is from your intra-abdominal organs. During a tummy tuck your surgeon can only take the skin and fat that is outside of the muscle. Even though the rectus muscles are tightened during surgery it is difficult to overpower what is inside of your body. Working out could potentially improve this appearance. It is also possible that you have exaggerated lordosis(curvature) of your spine that is contributing as the bulge is exactly where your back curves.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
August 8, 2017
Answer: Upper abdominal swelling At 10 weeks you may still have some degree of swelling. However, what I think is most likely is that the bulge is from your intra-abdominal organs. During a tummy tuck your surgeon can only take the skin and fat that is outside of the muscle. Even though the rectus muscles are tightened during surgery it is difficult to overpower what is inside of your body. Working out could potentially improve this appearance. It is also possible that you have exaggerated lordosis(curvature) of your spine that is contributing as the bulge is exactly where your back curves.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
January 24, 2022
Answer: Healing process The lumpiness, swelling, itching and hardness after a surgery like you had typically persists at least 8 weeks after the surgery then slowly goes away. In my experience, daily massage of the hard areas makes the biggest difference in getting rid of it sooner rather than later. It can easily take 6 months or more to see results. Your scars will usually flatten and fade between 9-12 months but can sometimes take closer to 18 months. Scar fading depends on your genetics. Be sure to keep any scheduled follow up appointments you have with your surgeons for his evaluation and advice. Hope this helps. Dean Vistnes, M.D. Vistnes Plastic Surgery San Francisco Bay Area #realself #drdeanvistnes #minitummytuck
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
January 24, 2022
Answer: Healing process The lumpiness, swelling, itching and hardness after a surgery like you had typically persists at least 8 weeks after the surgery then slowly goes away. In my experience, daily massage of the hard areas makes the biggest difference in getting rid of it sooner rather than later. It can easily take 6 months or more to see results. Your scars will usually flatten and fade between 9-12 months but can sometimes take closer to 18 months. Scar fading depends on your genetics. Be sure to keep any scheduled follow up appointments you have with your surgeons for his evaluation and advice. Hope this helps. Dean Vistnes, M.D. Vistnes Plastic Surgery San Francisco Bay Area #realself #drdeanvistnes #minitummytuck
Helpful 2 people found this helpful