Pain at top section of muscle repair after tummy tuck. Could I have pulled a muscle on the new repair?

Question

I had a TT with MR and Breast aug 3 weeks & 3 days ago. I just saw my doctor at 3 weeks PO & see her again at my 4 week. Everything is progressing well except now I have this pain at the TOP PART ONLY of my muscle repair that comes and goes. At the 3 week visit I asked her if my husband and I could be intimate and she said yes,so we did. I had no pain during at all. The next day I felt like I had pulled a muscle that suddenly happens if I stretch a certain way. What could be happening?

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear European,   Congratulation on your surgery . From your description of what transpired between you and your husband , it appears that you may have  stretched the muscles repair  of the upper abdomen, which can cause pain, or even a bulge in the area.   In my practice, I instruct my patients to avoid strenuous activity , including sex, for 6-8  weeks and my patients wear an abdominal  Velcro binder for 3-4 weeks or longer as necessary.   Discuss it with your surgeon, however, I would suggest for you to wear an abdominal binder, at least, on the sore upper abdomen , for 3-4 weeks, to allow the scar tissue of the muscles repair to strengthen. Also,  it will be prudent for you to avoid strenuous activity for the next month.                    Best of luck,                                        Dr Widder

Pain at top section of muscle repair after tummy tuck. Could I have pulled a muscle on the new repair?

Answers (1)