Signs of too much skin removal after Tummy Tuck? (Photos)

Hi HTMOM,  I think that you look very nice! It is not uncommon to still have some pain in the abdominal area ,even after 6 weeks. Please discuss with your plastic surgeon what you can do to start moving a little bit more.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

From your photos, things look ok!  The pain in the upper abdomen while trying to stand straight is usually from plication of the abdominal muscles together.  Check with your surgeon what stitches he or she uses to see when you should expect things to loosen up.  When too much skin is removed, the scar is high and incision will start to pull apart exposing sutures etc.  Best Wishes!!!

Thanks for your question and the photos. You look great! The difficulty you're describing is common. It will take time for everything to relax (6-8 weeks) and as you start doing more stretching it will help. At this point you shouldn't have any restrictions but check with your surgeon. If too much skin is removed, the incision will have too much tension on it and there will be widening of the scar and potential separation. Best of Luck!

Relax, your pictures suggest that you have a really nice result.  It can sometimes take several weeks before you feel confident enough to stand up straight after a tummy tuck, especially if you had a muscle repair.  Most likely the pain you have will settle with more time as you gain confidence and start to get back to all your usual activities.  I advise patients that it often takes around 3 months to feel like they are fully recovered from a tummy tuck or body lift procedure.It is absolutely a good idea for you to see your PS next week too for further re-assurance.Kind regards,Dean

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Typically signs of too much skin removal would lead patients to having some form of wound healing complication, namely at the incision site and not along the upper abdomen.  Depending on the amount and severity of your muscle repair this is likely causing the tightness and discomfort that you feel.  This will improve as your tissues continue to resolve their swelling from surgery and as the tissues stretch.  Hang in there and voice your concerns to your surgeon, they can provide you with reassurance.  Hope this helps.

Your surgeon did not take too much skin, there would have been a significant wound healing problem.  At 6 weeks you should be able to stand up straight, talk to your surgeon about prescribing muscles relaxants, that may help or physical therapy. Good luck, Jane

Thank you for your question and photos.  From what I can see, you look very nice.  I suspect that if your surgeon took too much skin, you would have had a wound separation at the middle of your incision with wound healing problems.  You probably still have some swelling and tightness due to the muscle repair.  Best to check with your surgeon in-person for specifics.  Good luck. 

Don't worry. Discuss this with you surgeon. I am not aware of any of my patient who cannot stand up straight at 6 weeks but certain it can happen. The ability to hyperextend and gain full motion of the torso can take this amount of time long or longer. 

Thank you for your question. Excess skin remove gives wound healing issues. It may be related to muscle tightening. Muscle relaxants may be helpful. Please check with your PS.