How long does it take for the stomach muscle to heal? (Photo)

Question

After tummy tuck in January, why is that my stomach is still hard? I was told it's all muscle and to do sit ups to tone up.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

I have patients wait 6 weeks prior to resuming work outs after tummy tuck. The area can remain firm for many months though as there is always inflammation after surgery that takes that time to resolve.

Jose A. Munoz, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Firmness of the abdomen in the postoperative period after abdominoplasty is not unusual. The abdominal muscles have been separated from overlying skin and adipose tissue (which is quite traumatic), creating a significant inflammatory reaction which may take 12-18 months to resolve. The inflammation creates swelling which may be manifested as firmness. This will most likely resolve over time.
Fibrosis / scarring may also be responsible for firmness. It may be the result of an untreated hematoma or seroma. This phenomenon may not resolve and may result in permanent tissue thickening and distortion. 
After examination, your plastic surgeon feels that there is no underlying pathology. I would continue a conservative course at this time. Best wishes...

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jazjackie777,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Complete recovery from a tummy tuck can take 9 months to a year.  Typically patients can return to exercise gradually within a few weeks of surgery.  At nine months post op if you have healed normally you should be able to resume exercise without restrictions.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are several things that could be described as a hard feeling abdomen after a tummy tuck.

One could be went to much fat has been removed with aggressive Liposuction creating excess of scar tissue combined with insufficient amounts of fat. That scar tissue can feel firm and typically this has an appearance of a cobblestone lumpy appearance.

Patients who have excess visceral fat can I also have a hard feeling abdominal wall after significant muscle tightening. When that’s the case all the abdominal contents are squeezed into a smaller space as the abdominal cavity was made smaller through muscle tightening. That also has a tendency to eventually cause upper abdominal bulging and it’s sometimes described as feeling like there’s not enough room in the abdomen especially when taking a deep breath.  Patients may also feel like it’s worse after eating a big meal.

When that’s the case weight loss will fix the problem because it will reduce visceral fat content.  ideally patients who have excess visceral fat should be told about this during the consultation because it can’t have an impact on the outcome of a tummy tuck.

I recommend posting proper before and after pictures if you want us to make an assessment on the outcome of an aesthetic procedure.

If you don’t have before and after pictures then ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.

Doing sit ups is not going to soften scar tissue and will not directly reduce visceral fat.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

How long does it take for the stomach muscle to heal? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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