7 months post op tummy tuck, have a hard bulge above my incision. Is this normal? Options? (photos)

Thank you for your question about recovery from tummy tuck.

For specific questions like this and about your recovery in general, it is best to speak directly with your doctor or doctor’s representative – such as his or her nurse, or the physician on call for the practice.

You will likely get many differing opinions from members of the RealSelf Community, but they have not personally seen or examined you. Nobody should know you or your unique set of circumstances better than your doctor.

If you feel you are not being listened to or you are doubting your doctor’s recommendations, then it is certainly within your rights to seek a second opinion and get the advice from another board certified physician. This should be done through an in-person consultation with a thorough evaluation, including a review of your history, review of all prior treatment and with a physical examination.

Obviously, if you think that you are having a medical emergency or other serious problem, you should call 911 and/or go to your nearest emergency room.

Best Wishes.

Dear Thoughtful863232,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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

Hello @Thoughtful863232, thank you for your question. It is critical to consult the doctor that performed the surgical procedure. This is because he knows what type of technique he or she used and how he or she performed the procedure. Is also important to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level to make you still swollen. For more information and recommendations, it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

You need to be seen by your surgeon and examined, and possibly have an ultrasound to see if fluid remains and if a seroma thick walled cavity has formed.

I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation. It would be unusual for swelling of this magnitude to persist 7 months post op. An ultrasound may be helpful to determine if there is fluid build up present. Especially with your history of complications, I encourage you to meet with your surgeon for an exam.

Extensive swelling would be expected after having an infection and multiple repeat operations. This could have compromised the aesthetic outcome and it may take more time before your results are final. Weight gain is probably the number one reasons patients notice abdominal bulging after having a full tummy tuck. This is especially true for individuals who have excess visceral or intra-abdominal fat.
The presence of visceral or intra-abdominal fat can often be seen and before pictures and to assess the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure patients should always include before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
If you want a proper second opinion consultation the schedule those as in a person consultations for the other local board-certified plastic surgeons.
For second opinion consultations patients should come prepared bringing with them a copies other before and after pictures and a copy of your opportunity reports. These are all available from your surgeons office as they are part of your medical record.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note a significant amount of lower abdominal fullness. The incisions from your abdominoplasty + 2 follow-up surgeries are not yet healed as they demonstrate significant residual redness.
You report firmness...
Without a physical examination, a more detailed history, and perhaps a radiographic study, I cannot determine the source of your fullness (seroma, disruption of your deep fascial suture line, soft tissue scar formation resulting from your infection, etc.). Swelling will initially cloud the surgical result, but at 7 months after your last surgery, the process should be resolving.
Revisit your plastic surgeon for evaluation, examination, discussion, and treatment.
Best wishes...