Follow-up question: Bulge around belly button, advice? (photo)

Question

Same question - bulge above my belly button. My dr is not the most patient with me seems irritated every time I ask her questions about the shape. This past visit she said it seems obvious my fascia separates and it isn’t as lopsided as I think it is. The only way to repair it is to reopen open me and go through it all again. I am so disappointed. Is this really the only fix? Can I work out with certain excercises? I am 5,6, and 127 lbs. I plan on losing more if that’s what’s needed.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. Unfortunately without an in-person examination, it is difficult to offer definite advice.  If this appearance is due to swelling it should resolve spontaneously with time.  If it is a discreet fluid collection then aspiration of the fluid in the office should suffice. If this is due to continued muscle laxity, a complete revision of your procedure may be needed.  If your surgeon is failing to give you appropriate information, seek out a second opinion. Hope this helps.

Ali Sadeghi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing your picture. Based on what I see I believe you will need to have revision of your tummy tuck. Further liposuction and repair of the rectus diastasis is necessary.

Samuel Lien, MD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out with your question. It appears as though the bulge you describe is due to the contour/shape of the muscles and fascia that make up the abdominal wall, not a problem with the fat cells and skin superficial to those muscles that are re-draped over the abdominal wall during an abdominoplasty. This is either due to diastasis, where the rectus muscles separate at the midline and splay to either side, or extra fat tissue deep to the abdominal wall around the intestines. The former is typically corrected during abdominoplasty, while the latter is off-limits for cosmetic surgery due to the risk of injury to important intra-abdominal organs. Weight loss would help shrink the intra-abdominal fat cells, which would likely improve the bulge over time. If you were to decide to have another surgery down the road, it would then be easier to tighten the abdominal wall with sutures because there would be less pressure from underneath. Exercising the core can improve definition of the abdominal wall muscles but in my experience would have only a modest effect on your bulge.

Eric J. Culbertson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, sscot. I understand your concerns, unfortunately it is difficult to answer your question with little information to go on, and without a direct exam. There are several reasons why you could have that bulging, if it is indeed primarily separation of the fascia/muscles (diastasis), then likely the only way to correct that would be to redo a good portion of the original operation, in order to gain adequate access to that area for tightening. If it is mostly fat, then liposuction may improve the area, however it doesn't sound like that is the case based on your discussion with your surgeon. Best wishes.

Follow-up question: Bulge around belly button, advice? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Bulge after abdominoplasty

Answer: Bulge after abdominoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Follow-up question: Bulge around belly button, advice? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Bulge after abdominoplasty

Answer: Bulge after abdominoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.