Tightness 16 months after TT. Is this normal?

Dear threefoldnature,

Thanks for your question. It's not uncommon to feel some degree of tightness in the abdominal area after a tummy tuck, particularly if the procedure included muscle repair. This sensation is often due to the healing and remodeling of the tissues after surgery. By 16 months, most of this tightness should have gradually eased. However, everyone's body heals at a different pace, and in some cases, it may take longer.

If you're experiencing severe or worsening tightness, it's important to have this evaluated by your surgeon or another board-certified plastic surgeon if necessary. While your original surgeon suggests waiting a bit longer, which may be entirely reasonable, it's also important to rule out any complications such as seromas, hematomas, or hypertrophic scarring that might be contributing to your discomfort. Keep communication open with your surgeon, and don't hesitate to get a second opinion if you're concerned.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question about recovery from tummy tuck. For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice. You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor. If you feel you are not being listened to or you are doubting your doctor’s recommendations, then it is certainly within your rights to seek a second opinion and get the advice from another board certified physician. This should be done through an in-person consultation with a thorough evaluation, including a review of your history, review of all prior treatment and with a physical examination. Obviously, if you think that you are having a medical emergency or other serious problem, you should call 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency room. Best Wishes

Dear threefoldnature,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It takes up to a year to heal, so your tightness may yet improve. I would suggest doing some gentile stretching and massages. If you have some excess weight, loosing this will be very helpful.

You are over a year post op and fully healed. If you are still experiencing excessive tightness of your abdomen you may want to visit with a physical therapist for stretching exercises to help increase your flexibility and comfort.

I totally disagree with your surgeon. After a year (or in your case almost 1.5 years), your abdomen is much less likely to get softer with time.
A physical exam would be necessary to see if either a surgical or non-surgical (massages and stretching) would be in order.
best wishes,
Dr. Taranow

Some patients do have long-term issues after this procedure with either, I’m going pain, tightness, numbness, limited range of motion or other issues. Usually with enough time patients eventually get accustomed to the major impact to the operation had on their body. Without pictures, we can’t make an assessment. There is one variable that could be contributing that is also treatable. Individuals who have excess visceral fat, which would be evident on before and after pictures could contribute to the feeling of tightness due to increased intra-abdominal pressure result of aggressive muscle tightening. If X is visceral fat is evidence on before, and after pictures or on examination and weight loss would be a significant benefit because it’s the only way to reduce visceral fat which in turn will reduce intra-abdominal pressure.
Individuals who have excess visceral fat, often end up having slight bulging after abdominal wall after a full tummy tuck.
It’s fairly simple to diagnose. I was looking at pictures or by doing an examination. If the abdomen feels very tight and it takes a lot of pressure to push in your abdominal wall then access visceral fat may be contributing significantly to your symptoms and weight loss would be significant help.
This is the most simple and common explanation for what you are describing and likely has a solution. If not, you will simply need to learn to get accustomed to your body changes because the procedure is permanent and irreversible. Stretching exercises with potential referral to physical therapy can be useful for some individuals.
Based on what you describe, assessing the presence of excess of visceral fat, should be number one on the list.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD