Pain, pulling and tightness around navel 3 years after tummy tuck - what could cause this?

Question

Hello. Ive had a tummy tuck procedure about 3 yrs ago. I started developing pain, pulling and tightbess aroud my navel. I notice it gets worse around my period, which at times it can be unbearable. I was wondering could it hsve been from tubes? Did it leave internal scarring? I just need to be poinred in the right direction so i can live a normal life. This is taking a toll on my mental

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear Rolanda,
 Assuming the pain is related to your tummy tuck,  since you said it started sometime after, your doctors will examine you and see if it is due to something local connected to your belly button, like tension, or with the abdominal wall, like sutures pulling on the umbilical stalk, or a suture granuloma and chronic inflammation, or excess tension from pulling down the flap, or scar adherence below the belly button, or endometriosis which gets more painful around the period.  Diagnosis should be your doctors' job, as you have to know where to look and what to look for. This may take  a team, including your plastic surgeon, ob/gyn, radiology for ultrasound imaging or MRI, and usually it is the plastic surgeon who directs the undertaking and refers you to different specialists if needed.  Your plastic surgeon might elect to use local anesthetics around your belly button to try to find where the pain is coming from or an anesthesiology pain service to do blocks to find where the pain is coming from.  I think your plastic surgeon is the place to start and an opinion from your gynecologist would be another doctor to consider, if you are looking on your own.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Pain and pulling around the belly button three years after a tummy tuck should be evaluated in person, especially if it can become unbearable. Possible causes include scar tissue, a tight or irritated suture, nerve irritation, a small hernia, or tension from the muscle repair. The fact that it worsens around your period also makes it important to consider non-plastic-surgery causes, including gynecologic issues such as endometriosis or pelvic/abdominal inflammation.
I would start with an exam by your tummy tuck surgeon or another board-certified plastic surgeon, and also discuss the cyclic pain pattern with your gynecologist. Imaging such as ultrasound or CT may be useful if a hernia, mass, or deep scar-related problem is suspected.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Rolanda33,

I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

I would be delighted to answer your question. However without photos and medical records (operative summary), it would be little more than a guess. All the best.

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. This requires further investigation, and should not be assumed it is related to your tummy tuck. I would recommend discussing this with your PCP and/or ob/gyn, as well as your plastic surgeon.
I wish you the best. 
Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACSDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHouston, TX.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of the discomfort you are having around your navel.  The pain could be from a number of resources so you may need to visit a few physicians to find out the root cause as it may be unrelated to your tummy tuck.  If your surgeon is unable to pinpoint a cause you may also want to visit with your OB/Gyn especially since you mentioned it worsening around your menstrual cycle.

Pain, pulling and tightness around navel 3 years after tummy tuck - what could cause this?

Answers (6)

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