I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair almost 4 months ago. My stomach was generally flat before the procedure; I only had massive stretch marks and "loose" skin from 4 children. There was no liposuction needed. Right after surgery my stomach was nice and flat, but about 6 weeks after (once I stopped wearing compression garment) my stomach started to developed a pooch. It's flat along the inciscion line and then about an inch from that all the way up past my belly button, I look like I have a 3 month pregnant stomach. It's also very hard and when I flex my stomach muscles it is very hard,not soft, to present a fatty area. My surgeon said it was just the anatomy of my muscles. I'm not overweight and have not changed in weight since my procedure more than maybe 2 pounds. Is there a problem? I feel worse now then I did before.
March 28, 2019
Answer: Bulge after tummy tuck This is an interesting problem. Bulging after surgery in the abdominal area can be due to a number of factors: 1) Fluid collections - these are generally detected as firm distension of the skin, and there is a slosh, or wave effect on palpation. 2) Hernia - this is usually felt as a distinct area of swelling in the abdominal wall, this can be reduced with with manual pressure. The other three factors are fat between skin and muscle (usually this is the fat you can pinch), fat under the muscle (This is usually felt as firm distension of the abdomen), and posture. Since you describe this as firm distension, I am inclined to think it is fat under muscle, or posture. Does the contour change when you stand up straight? I think it is highly unlikely that you have muscle separation or hernia. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, and keep in touch with your surgeon. If you do have a correctable problem I am sure he will sort it out and offer a solution. Best wishes
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 28, 2019
Answer: Bulge after tummy tuck This is an interesting problem. Bulging after surgery in the abdominal area can be due to a number of factors: 1) Fluid collections - these are generally detected as firm distension of the skin, and there is a slosh, or wave effect on palpation. 2) Hernia - this is usually felt as a distinct area of swelling in the abdominal wall, this can be reduced with with manual pressure. The other three factors are fat between skin and muscle (usually this is the fat you can pinch), fat under the muscle (This is usually felt as firm distension of the abdomen), and posture. Since you describe this as firm distension, I am inclined to think it is fat under muscle, or posture. Does the contour change when you stand up straight? I think it is highly unlikely that you have muscle separation or hernia. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, and keep in touch with your surgeon. If you do have a correctable problem I am sure he will sort it out and offer a solution. Best wishes
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
July 5, 2018
Answer: Investigate... you may need revisional surgery. The presence of a significant abdominal bulge four months
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
July 5, 2018
Answer: Investigate... you may need revisional surgery. The presence of a significant abdominal bulge four months
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
March 24, 2017
Answer: Persisitent abdominal bulging after tummy tuck
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
March 24, 2017
Answer: Persisitent abdominal bulging after tummy tuck
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
