Smaller Stomach After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a tummy tuck about 2 weeks ago and I feel fuller faster when I eat meals. Why is that?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

A properly performed tummy tuck almost always includes repair (tightening) of the fascia (gristle layer) that surrounds the rectus abdominis (6-pack) muscles, since this fascial layer is stretched with pregnancy or larger weight gains. When childbearing is complete, or weight is lost, the loose skin and stretched muscular fascial layers (diastasis recti) allow the intra-abdominal contents to protrude. (An actual hole in the fascial layer is called a hernia.) This "pooching out" is what so many patients seek to improve via tummy tuck.

	Of course, each patient is unique, as is their degree of abdominal wall and skin stretch, presence of stretch marks, and amount of intra-abdominal fat (along with their organs) that protrudes, and physical examination determines which patients are the best candidates for tummy tuck.

	It sounds as if your abdominal wall was (appropriately) tightened, fitting your organs, and mesenteric and omental fat, into a smaller cylindrical abdominal cavity. So while your stomach is physically the same size, it resides along with the rest of your "innards" in a tightened space, and feels full faster.

	Sort of like wearing a tight corset or waist cincher and wondering why you feel full faster!

	This is not a bad thing as everything works the same, but you tend to eat less, and will lose weight (or gain less rapidly) with similar exercise habits.

	I hope that explanation is clear. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Sultan Hassan, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hi and thank you for your interesting question. I suppose with postoperative swelling and a tightening of your tummy wall muscles you may intially feel fuller with less intake. I don't think it will last though once your swelling settles!

Kurtis Martin, MD · Answer

This is a common complaint following tummy tuck. I think the stomach shrinks because the patients are not eating as much as usual following surgery. Also, the tightening of the fascia can leave less room in the abdominal cavity for the stomach to expand.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

This is not an unusual sensation after an abdominoplasty.  This occurs due to a tightening of the anterior abdominal wall fascia.  It simply puts more pressure on the internal organs and stomach.  It will gradually resolve.

Malcolm D. Paul, MD · Answer

Feeling fuller in your stomach is not related to the tummy tuck because that is inside your abdomen and the tummy tuck is performed on the skin, fat, and muscles.  You may feel tightening from the muscle repair and, as you eat, the pressure makes you feel fuller.  You should improve with time.

	Malcolm D. Paul, M.D.

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Answers (7)

Answer: Feeling full after an abdominoplasty

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