How can you tell if you tore the muscle repair from tummy tuck?

Question

I am 5 days post op and am wondering what can cause muscle repair tear and if there any warning signs I should look out for..

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

You couldn't do anything to stress the muscle repair at this point; At five days you are doing virtually no physical activity except walking around, and the repair is very secure with the suture techniques used. You will see your flat or relatively flat abdomen over the next months, and as you return to physical activity it should stay flat. I recommend waiting about six months before aerobic activity so the midline will heal with firm fibrous adhesion as well as the sutures. I have had a patient run no a treadmill at two weeks with no adverse effect but not recommended. If your fascia was thin from multiple or large size pregnancies, you might have a greater chance of stretching out over time, but this is gradual. If you work out vigorously and feel a sharp pain, just take it easy until it resolves. Usually such a pain does not indicate any disruption of the repair.  Your plastic surgeon is the best one to evaluate you if you think something is amiss.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It would take quite a lot of force to disrupt a muscle repair. You may feel a pulling or increased pain when you sneeze or cough the first couple times and this is normal, but that alone will not disrupt the repair. If the muscle repair was disrupted the abdomen would no longer be flat and you would have a lot of increased pain. Good luck with healing.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

If the muscles are "torn" the most likely sign is the return of your original "bulge" int he abdomen as it was before your surgery. Your surgeon should examine you and make an appropriate diagnosis. Best wishes and good luck, Dr. ALDO :)

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Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

It typically takes a lot of pressure to disrupt a muscle repair. However, if you notice a bulge in your midline with some increased pain/tenderness, best to call your operating surgeon so you can be properly evaluated and examined in person. Good luck!!!

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

It would take a big fall or something that you would notice.There would be a lot of pain if the muscle repair tore.

How can you tell if you tore the muscle repair from tummy tuck?

Answers (5)