I am 6 wks post op from a full tt w/muscle repair all the way up to the rib cage. I developed Atelacstsis of the lungs and was put on Levaquin to help fight any infection that may have been there a few days after my procedure. I have been put on an Inhaler done 5 wks of breathing exercises have had blood work done to make sure there's no blood clot in the body/lungs and although my symptoms have improved I still feel as though it's hard to breathe fully sometimes at night. What can this be?
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Breathing Difficulty
It is so common for patients to express this. When we tighten the abdominal wall muscles we are reducing the volume of the intraabdominal compartment, often substantially. For patients with a small 2cm rectus diastasis the reduction in intraabdominal volume is relatively small. But for patients who have 4-6cm of rectus diastases this reduction in intraabdominal volume can become huge. (I won't bore you with the math but is can be impressive).
I tell my patients to breath by expanding their backs not their abdomens. This is because the lungs are situated in the back and this makes it quite easy to "breath through the back." So relax and relearn to breath. You'll be happy with your tummy and a new way to breath.
Helpful 14 people found this helpful
Answer: Tummy Tuck and Breathing Difficulty
It is so common for patients to express this. When we tighten the abdominal wall muscles we are reducing the volume of the intraabdominal compartment, often substantially. For patients with a small 2cm rectus diastasis the reduction in intraabdominal volume is relatively small. But for patients who have 4-6cm of rectus diastases this reduction in intraabdominal volume can become huge. (I won't bore you with the math but is can be impressive).
I tell my patients to breath by expanding their backs not their abdomens. This is because the lungs are situated in the back and this makes it quite easy to "breath through the back." So relax and relearn to breath. You'll be happy with your tummy and a new way to breath.
Helpful 14 people found this helpful
June 6, 2016
Answer: Breathing difficulty post "Tummy Tuck"
Your problem has to do with your abdominal organs residing in less space because your muscle wall was tightened . The guts push up on your diaphragm and make your lungs harder to expand. This usually eases within the first week. Get an incentive spirometer from your local ER and use it.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 6, 2016
Answer: Breathing difficulty post "Tummy Tuck"
Your problem has to do with your abdominal organs residing in less space because your muscle wall was tightened . The guts push up on your diaphragm and make your lungs harder to expand. This usually eases within the first week. Get an incentive spirometer from your local ER and use it.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful