Upper abdomen swollen or bulging at 10 weeks post tummy tuck? (photo)

Question

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?

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
Sometimes it takes a full year for fullness in the abdomen to resolve after Tummy Tuck. You should be free to proceed with physical activities at this point which should help with bloating.Activity and weight loss help improve overall contour results.  I would recommend you review this with your plastic surgeon. Give this at least 6 months to resolve.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you very much for your question regarding swelling after your tummy tuck. Thank you for your pictures of your tummy tuck. I think it's too early to tell the results of your tummy tuck. I think you still have swelling of your upper abdomen. I would suggest to continue to eat right, exercise, and wear your compression garment for another 4 weeks. I would then reevaluate the abdomen when you are six months after your tummy tuck. Thank you for your question regarding swelling after your tummy tuck. Good luck! If you have any more questions regarding tummy tuck or care after a tummy tuck, please contact my office.  - Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It can be related to many factors including visceral fat, weak muscle repair, thick subcutaneous layer, or just plain swelling. More time is needed for swelling to improve if that is the cause.

David Graham, MD · Answer

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.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

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

Upper abdomen swollen or bulging at 10 weeks post tummy tuck? (photo)

Answers (5)