One Month Post Mini Tummy Tuck, Upper Abdomen is Huge?

 There can be more than one reason but the most common explanation is as follows:

Assuming that there was not procedure such as liposuction in the upper abdomen, the following is probably what occurred: When the muscles are tightened on the lower tummy, this compresses by pushing in the abdominal contents (e.g. your intestines and other abdominal organs). The volume has to go somewhere so if the upper muscles are not also tightened to the same tension as the lower ones they will bulge. Those patients with decreased muscle tone (non athletes) are more prone to have this occur.. A simple exam by your plastic surgeon will confirm this or identify 

It would be helpful to see what you looked like before the surgery but assuming the bulge in the upper abdomen was not there before the surgery and nothing (liposuction etc) was done in that area, then most likely cause is the fact that you had muscle tightening done on the lower abdomen only.

For this exact reason I never perform 'partial' muscle tightening.  I either tighten the entire muscle, from the chest bone down to the bottom of the abdomen, or I don't tighten at all.  I don't believe doing only a part of the abdomen ever gives good results.  

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD, FRCSC

Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute

Thank you for the question and pictures.

Your plastic surgeon will be in the best position to advise you after examining you.

The most likely  cause of the “bloated” look is abdominal wall laxity  that was not addressed during  the mini tummy tuck operation.

Generally speaking, the mini tummy tuck is an  operation that  produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall musculature is addressed below the umbilicus leaving the upper number wall potentially lax. The appearance of the umbilicus is not necessarily addressed sufficiently.

For most patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight loss a full abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the desired results. Of course, there are downsides (including a longer scar and probably a longer recovery time) but for most patients the benefits outweigh the downsides. It is not unusual to see patients who've had mini tummy tuck  surgery present for  revisionary surgery.


Best wishes.