My recovery was going great until I had a sneezing episode. Could I have wired through the muscle fascia or torn sutures?

Question

I am a mommy of 3 age 33 yrs, I had BA & TT(no lipo) on March 18th, 5'2 , 114 pounds and my abdomen was looking very flat and barely swollen by 14 days post op. Almost standing up fully straight and wearing compression garment almost 24/7. I felt good, I sneezed 6 times in a span of 3hrs. By the evening my whole abdomen started to swell with pain and a burning sensation along my rectus abdominis. My abdomen does not look the same anymore after the sneezing episode, much swelling and more lax.

Paul F. Vanek Jr, MD · Answer

Given your history and significant compliance, the sneezes may have done you some harm. At this junction I hope you have already sought the re-evaluation by your surgeon.  It is quite uncommon for sneezing to have torn through your fascia but it is possible you had the bleeding episode or disrupted your abdominal plication repair sutures.  The first step in management of this is a careful physical examination.  Possibly a scanning technique like ultrasound or CT scan to help figure out what is going on. But, if you have changed the shape of your ideal body weight tummy tuck, then it is time to have that investigated sooner than later.

Justin West, MD · Answer

You need to call your surgeon. You could have broken some of the sutures and based on the swelling you are describing you may well have a hematoma (blood collection).

My recovery was going great until I had a sneezing episode. Could I have wired through the muscle fascia or torn sutures?

Answers (2)