Why Do I Have Pain at Muscle Incision After 3 Months Post-op Tummy Tuck (Male)?

Question

11.5 week post-op day,I,for the first time post op,carried about 6-10 lbs worth of groceries close to my chest,up stairs to my apartment.for the next 5 days,the muscle incision below belly button has stung,even when I'm resting.two days later i massaged stomach and heard a snap and slight movement.stomach looks the same though.I called PS,nurse says I should be fine carrying things at this point,and that pain is just scar tissue moving.Should I be worried about the muscle being damaged?

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Usually by 6 weeks after surgery, your tissues (including skin and muscle) are about 85% as strong as they were before surgery, which is about as strong as they ever get. 

	 

	It is not too uncommon to feel tugging and pulling after any procedure with internal stitches, and sometimes sutures will snap or pull through scar tissue. If you don't see any difference, it's likely that everything is just fine, but you can schedule an appointment to be examined to be sure.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Sound like you have been diligent in observing physical restrictions during the post op period. Now as you resume activities, using muscles that were used only to the minimum, it is not unusual to have some discomfort. 

	It if very unlikely that you have disrupted your deep repair at three months. By six weeks the repairs are quite solid. 

	If the advice you get here is not reassuring enough, make an appointment with your surgeon. 

	All the best.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question.  It sounds like you stretched (suture cut through fascia) or possibly broke a suture used to either tighten the abdominal wall or the tummy tuck repair.  Since you are not seeing any difference your abdominal wall has likely already healed so there is technically no need for that suture.  I suspect that you are ok.  Sometimes wearing your abdominal binder again for a week or so may help with the discomfort that you are experiencing.

	All the best,

	Dr Remus Repta

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

Rather than speculate, you are better off to go back in person to see your plastic surgeon. Nothing beats a direct examination of the area. Usually muscle separation is not a large component of a male tummy tuck since pregnancy has not been an issue. You will have peace of mind by going in!

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

Muscle Separation is possible. Go and see the MD only and not the PA. This is your right. You paid the MD. You will likely be okay but I have see 7 muscle separations after tummy tuck repair in 30 years. Personally I have had no separations on my patients The repair must be done with layered sutures to be secure. The latest separation I have seen was at 5 months. You likely will be fine but go and see the MD. My Best, Dr C

Why Do I Have Pain at Muscle Incision After 3 Months Post-op Tummy Tuck (Male)?

Answers (5)