Large Lump on my Abdomen After a Tummy Tuck 2 Years Ago?

The lump could be a number of things, such as a chronic seroma, a stitch or a hernia.  It may be just a bulge related to the way the skin is now positioned following your surgery or related to the muscle repair.  A consultation with your Plastic Surgeon is definitely worthwhile.  An ultrasound or CT scan may also be useful.

A hernia is basically a hole or weakness in one of the connective tissue layers, allowing the structure behind it to bulge through.  This is most common in the abdomen where defects in the abdominal wall allow the fat or even bowel behind it to bulge through and appear as a lump.  The lump may pop in and out or sometimes will pop out and stay out. 

I suggest you see your Surgeon and ask what they think is going on.

     This really could be any number of things.  Only a physical examination will be able to provide any real information. 

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

After two years your abdomen should be flat and any areas of post operative change should have healed and softened up by now. If it is an area of concern you should be examined by your plastic surgeon.  

There isn't sufficient information to give you an educated guess.  Is the lump hard or soft?  Has it increased in size or given you pain?  The lump can be hernia, scar tissue, or fatty tissue.  You should see your plastic surgeon who can examine you.  Based on his/her examination, you may need CT/ultrasound.

A hernia is a protrusion for abdominal contents through a defect in the abdominal wall.  Without an exam I wouldn't try to make a diagnosis, though I suspect a more likely explanation would be "fat necrosis" where some of the abdominal fat has insufficient blood supply, and becomes a firm lump perhaps as you describe. 

My advice is to see your surgeon for an examination. A plan can be made based on the findings. All the best.