Pulled Muscle After Tummy Tuck, How Can I Fix This? (photo)

Question

I am 3 months Post Op i have the muscle raised on the left side of my stomach above the belly button. My doctor told me its a pulled muscle and will go away with ALOT of massages. Today i had a shooting pain nothing too serious but my stomach doesn't look completely flat because of this my right side is normal, so it looks a bit odd. Is there anything i can take OTC to help it go down? I got surgery in the Dominican Republic and am now back in NY.Where i am pointing in the picture is the pulled muscle.

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

Its unclear what has happened here - but if one of the sutures used to repair abdominal wall laxity pulled out - this causes a lot of pain - also could cause changes in the shape/flatness of your abdominal wall.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

This is one of those things that the internet is just useless for.  You need to be examined, in person by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  I'm not sure what the problem really is.  Did your doctor tell you that it was a "pulled muscle" in person prior to you leaving the D.R.?  I'm not sure how you would get a "pulled muscle" only on one side of your abdomen.  ???  And, for that matter, what really is a "pulled muscle"?  It is a commonly used term for when you overly strain a muscle and causes pain and swelling in that area.  Again, I'm not sure how you would have strained only one of your rectus muscles, but if that is the case the only "fix" for it is "time".  If you popped stitches internally, you would typically have had a good bit of pain at the time then the pain would get better, but the appearance will not until you have them repaired/replaced.  Aside from that one shooting pain, if there has been little or no other pain associated with the bulge, then it is probably not a "pulled muscle" and probably not ruptured sutures.  It may just be a little extra fat left behind on that side, or it might be a small fluid collection. 
	You need to be evaluated in person.

	Good Luck

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

You need an exam by a plastic surgeon; the photo isn't helpful.  This is certainly a downside of medical tourism.  Your options are to see a plastic surgeon in NY and pay a fee or to get on a plane back to the DR for evaluation by your operating surgeon.

Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

From the picture you posted you cannot see what you are talking about. You need to be examined by a PS out in your area to have your concerns addressed properly.

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