Is this bulge normal or is this muscle failure? (Photo)

Question

On 2/27/14 will be my fifth month mark I have a bulge after my tummy tuck it is very sore and tender in the middle of my stomach where the stitches should lie. The bulge is above my belly button,now under my belly button it feels hard as a board and it is flat now the bulge above my bellybutton has always been there since day one out of the hospital would I have to pay the whole fee if I went to another PS if this is muscle failure or would it be a little less since some of the work is done ?

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Was your surgery out of country? Why not return to same surgeon? Yes using new surgeon will cost the same or more to repair this issue because it is a much more difficult surgery now...

Ayman Hakki, MD · Answer

The most likely answer to your question is that you have a lot of intra-abdominal fat. Fat that cant be accessed by a tummy tuck. Another possibility is that you had a lower abdominal tuck, without  tightening the muscles above the belly button. Before saying what I think is more likely, I would need to have you do upper abdominal crunches and see if the bulge gets worse (spread muscles) of the same (intra abdominal fat). Both ways its too early to tell or do anything. Go back to your surgeon after returning to a weight bellow the weight you were before the surgery or equal to that weight. He or she will tell you what it is. If your surgeon was not a board certified plastic surgeon, please go see one.

Douglas Hargrave, MD · Answer

Be careful not to jump to conclusions.  There are a couple of possible explanations for the swelling that you see in your abdomen.  The best advice would be to return to your plastic surgeon and let him/her decide what the origin of the problem is. If the bulge is from a fluid collection, then a simple aspiration in the office might take care of it.  If  is from weakness in the muscle fascia repair, then you would need to return to the operating room.  Repairing that is not the same as a tummy tuck, so the cost should be less.Good Luck,Dr. Hargrave

Is this bulge normal or is this muscle failure? (Photo)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is this bulge normal or is this muscle failure? (Photo)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.