Hello, and thank you for your question regarding an upper abdomen bulge following a tummy tuck on a male patient. Thank you for your history, and thank you for your photos. Since you are only 12 days from your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, the area pictured above your umbilicus or belly button is swelling. This swelling could be normal, a seroma, or a hematoma; however, a seroma or hematoma would be unlikely. It is too early to tell anything, 12 days postop. You must wear your compression garment and follow your plastic surgeon's instructions. Follow-up with your plastic surgeon is very important to be sure you do not have a seroma or hematoma. Regarding the rectus abdominis muscle repair, it is too early to determine anything 12 days after your abdominoplasty. If you are concerned that the muscle repair is not done, you can request an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI of the abdomen. These radiographic techniques will help to elucidate if the muscle repair was done, and if any of the sutures have broken. In conclusion, it's too early to tell anything. You must wait at least 6 to 8 weeks until the swelling subsides. Please take a look at the above radiographic studies to investigate whether the rectus abdominis was repaired. However, even 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, most plastic surgeons would not recommend repeat surgery to repair the muscle if the muscle had not been repaired. Therefore, most experienced plastic surgeons recommend you wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before making any determination. Good luck. I hope I've answered your question regarding an upper abdominal bulge 12 days following a tummy tuck on a male patient. I hope this information helps you find answers regarding your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. If you have any questions regarding tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please contact an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Since the tummy tuck is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the tummy tuck. Do your research. Ensure they have performed at least 150 tummy tuck surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Please carefully look over their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced tummy tuck surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)