Should I be worried about bulge under my breasts 3 weeks after a tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

I am 3 weeks post tummy tuck with no lipo. After my surgery I notices I had a bulge under my breasts. At my follow up I mentioned it to my surgeon in which he stated it's normal swelling. 3 weeks later I have not noticed a change in size. The only time i notice a change is when I take off my compression garment but then it will swell back up again. Could this be swelling that will hopefully go away with time or is it something I should worry about?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The prominence you shown the photographs should be shown to your surgeon. It's possible that you have a fluid collection called a seroma we should be drained.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.
As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment. Generally speaking, an abdominal wall "bulge" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this,  an attached link/video, helps.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the photos and question but they are really not adequate to make a diagnosis so go back to your surgeon and be reevaluated.Dr Corbin

Should I be worried about bulge under my breasts 3 weeks after a tummy tuck? (photos)

Answers (3)