Is it normal for your stomach to feel rock hard after a Tummy Tuck?

Question

Is it normal fir your stomach to feel rock hard after a Tummy Tuck? Some parts of my stomach feel soft and some other parts feel hard, but everyday it feels less hard?

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

In most cases, you should expect your abdomen to be hard because of swelling and muscle tightening. There needs to be some caution though, because a hematoma or other process could also make it hard. If you suspect something isn't right, you should probably see your surgeon.

Maximilian Malotky, MD · Answer

Thanks for your excellent question brandydeja18.  After a Tummy Tuck surgery +/- Liposuction, there is a lot of healing going on.  Small fluid or blood collections after surgery are consolidated and absorbed by your body; new vessels and healing scar tissue is formed and remodeled; Swelling of the damaged cells waxes and wanes in response to you activity level.  All of these can contribute to firm areas where the tissues are healing.  This process is usually resolved by 3 months in most of my patients but can take up to 6 months or even a year in rare cases.  The fact that all parts are feeling less hard as the days go by is a good sign that supports a normal healing process.  Always follow up with your surgeon so they can monitor your healing and address any of your concerns directly.
Congrats on your procedure,
Dr. Max

Patrick L. Basile, MD · Answer

This is a difficult question to answer because you didn't indicate how long ago your surgery was. Assuming it was recent the hardness of the stomach could be some muscle spasms from the repair of the diastasis recti. If it is longer our from surgery then there could be some fat necrosis. I recommend following up with your surgeon. Good luck!Dr. Basile

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

First of all, congratulations on your tummy tuck, brandydeja18!
It’s normal to feel hardness in your belly after a tummy tuck. This is probably due to the damage in your lymphatic layer, which triggers your body to send more blood into the area to help heal your traumatized tissues. It results in hardness in your belly, but it resolves on its own over time, typically around six months.
Make sure that you follow up with your reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon to make sure that you’re healing well.
Good luck!

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

It is normal for your stomach to feel hard after surgery,  This is from having the muscles tightened and normal surgical swelling.  Wear your compression garment to assist in healing.

Is it normal for your stomach to feel rock hard after a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (5)

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