I Have an Uneven Waistline After my Tummy Tuck? (photo)

The other experts are correct that swelling and fluid build up may be a factor.  My question to you is did you have a full tummy tuck?  I do not see any sutures in the belly button.  Time will be your ally

Thank you for your question and for the photo. It is fairly early in the recovery course from your tummy tuck, and while you are starting to see some results, your belly will continue to evolve and change. It is far to early to know the final result, and things like fluid, swelling, scar tissue, ect. will continue to change over the next couple of weeks. 

I would suggest that you try to be patient during this time. I realize that it is difficult, and that concern during the healing process is quite normal However, Many of these issues resolve on their own as the belly heals. If there are any questions or concerns, you should contact your plastic surgeon and have them evaluate your belly.

Best of luck with the rest of your recovery.

Jeff Rockmore

Congratulations.  It looks like you picked a great plastic surgeon and that he did a very aesthetic TT on you.  As to why the two sides are uneven, the answer is at this stage, they are never even. 

I find the most common reason for significant difference of the two sides at the waistline in a tummy tuck is that they were uneven before surgery, but the fat and extra skin camouflaged the uneveness.  Very possibly, you have some level of scoliosis.  To check this, have someone take a black magic marker and draw along the most prominent part of the vertebrae from between your shoulders down to your hip bone.  I'll bet the line curves to the side with the bigger dent. 

If scoliosis if not the answer, then asymmetric swelling is the second most common cause.  In my practice, I would use therapeutic ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) to decrease the swelling at your waistline. 

Give yourself a break and give your surgeon a break.  It appears you have an incredible result.  Just give time, time, and don't forget, there is a depression built in to the first couple weeks after cosmetic surgery.  During this depression, most of my patients feel they have chosen the wrong surgeon and the surgery went bad.  By the third week, they think maybe I know what I am doing.  By the fourth week, they think I could be a genius.  Wait a couple weeks and see where your head is at. 

At 9 days, you may have fluid on one side and not the other, and every patient swells more on one side than the other. Your photograph shows a good early result (certainly not horrible!), and I would gently advise taking a deep breath and give yourself time to heal, soften, and settle things as they certainly will over the next 6-12 months.

Don't be too hard on your surgeon (yet); keep in contact to ensure you don't have a collection of fluid or blood that can be aspirated. Otherwise, wear your binder, stay out of ultraviolet exposure as your scars mature, and watch diet and exercise (follow your surgeon's recommendations).

I really think you will turn out just fine, but you and your surgeon have the best visibility as to how things are really healing! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thanks for your question and for the photo. Although I see no pre-op photo, what I do see looks like an excellent result.

Asymmetry is common, especially early on. Swelling is usually not even from one side to another. The commonest cause for post-op asymmetry is pre-op asymmetry, and without a pre-op photo, I cannot judge that. 

You seem to be rather hard on yourself and on your surgeon. Patience is your best ally, allowing for the swelling to dissipate, and this a a 6 month process. If it persists, an actual physical exam will be needed to determine the fix, but most likely it would be liposuction.

Best wishes.