Is shortness of breath normal after a tummy tuck and breast lift with implants? (Photos)

After A tummy tuck/ mommy makeover. It is important to make sure that your binder is not too tight but feels as snug as a gentle hug. We always advise that throughout the day you hold a pillow to your belly for extra support and try to let out a couple large coughs. This will help aid in preventing pneumonia or any respiratory illnesses after surgery. While your body is healing your immune system is compromised because it is working overtime to help you heal. It is possible to have exposure to new germs at the hospital. If by chance a patient does have any food or liquid in their stomach after anesthesia, it is possible that it could become backed up into the lungs. Because you will be walking in a hunched over position for the first week, its safe to say that you wont be able to get the full amount of ventilation into your lungs as well. All of these factors can put you at an increased risk of respiratory illness. If you suspect your breathing is not allergy related, I would call your surgeon right away to speak about what you are experiencing. He or she may want to prescribe you something just incase.

Thank you very much for your question and
photographs. Congratulations on your recent tummy tuck and breast lift. While
your symptoms may be part of the normal healing process, shortness of breath
after surgery can also be a sign of something much more serious. I recommend
that you contact your operating plastic surgeon immediately to discuss this issue.
He/she can assess what is causing your shortness of breath, ensuring the safest
recovery.

Shortness of breath after TT and BL with implants should merit a workup and a visit to your plastic surgeon or the ER. Adjusting the binder and walking hunched over for a few weeks are to be expected.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello, thank you for your question and congrats on your recent transformation! First and foremost you should let you plastic surgeon know about this issue so you can be properly evaluated for serious causes of shortness of breath especially due to your family history. It seems that you have been doing many things for prevention of blood clots but still, you never know. However, I will mention that I have patient's that complain of feeling short of breath when ambulating after big surgeries. With implants there is an extra weight on your chest that can make it a little harder to take deep breaths because of the extra weight on your chest and that can take some getting used to. After full tummy tuck abdominal muscles are tightened so this can make it a little difficult for the diaphragm (helps lungs expand) to sink into the abdomen and therefore difficult for your lungs to fully expand. As stated previously the best thing is to call your plastic surgeon ASAP and see what their thoughts are. I hope this helps and wish you the best in your recovery.Ankur Mehta MD

I recommend contacting your surgeon to discuss your situation.  It is difficult to ascertain in a forum such as this if what you are experiencing is a normal part of healing or something that could be more serious, such as a blood clot in the lungs.  Your surgeon should be able to guide you.