Direct fall on tummy/mons

Question

Hello. I am 9 months post tummy tuck/mons lift. During a pep rally at the school I teach at, I took a nasty fall during a sack race. I landed directly on my entire front side. My knees and elbows are pretty bruised, but most of the pain and swelling is in my mons and lower ab region. My question is the discomfort simply the cause of smacking a hard gym floor? At nine months post op, have things healed enough to withstand a bit of trauma? Thanks.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thank you for your question!
Sounds painful! I am sure everything is fine with tummy tuck/mons lift. Give it some time to heal. If you are not feeling better, or you are concerned, reach out to your surgeon. Best wishes!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Cute844449,
I understand your concern. Based on your description, it is likely that the discomfort is caused by fall. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello cute 844449. Thank you for your question regarding the impact of a fall on your tummy tuck and mons lift.

Thank you for your history, and I'm sorry about your fall. I hope you're OK. At nine months post-op, your tummy tuck should be healed enough to withstand trauma. Tummy tucks are performed so you can get back “in action” and resume the activities you enjoy (within reason). A fall during a sack race should not disrupt the tummy tuck repair.

If your pain continues for more than two weeks after your fall, you should consult with your plastic surgeon. The workup would include a physical examination and possibly radiographic work such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

Good luck. I hope this helps answer your question regarding the impact of your fall on your tummy tuck recovery.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

If you’ve been feeling fine before this fall then your body may have sufficiently recovered from surgery to withstand the fall. However, you can always see your surgeon or primary care physician if you are concerned, just in case.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

At 9 months, you should be healed enough to fall and not do much damage. If you have any concerns, go see your surgeon,  No more sack races for you.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At nine months post op it is unlikely that you did any damage to your surgical results.  If your bruising, swelling and pain don't improve visit with your surgeon for an evaluation.  It's likely that you just bruised the area.

Serkan Kaya Ekinci, MD · Answer

Hello, I recommend my patients to use a corset for 4 weeks after surgery. Swellings and bruises will decrease over time. Skin sagging improves and the results become increasingly obvious. Brisk walking and physical activities may be recommended after a month, but I would like to avoid jumping, heavy exercises and weighted lifting for 1 year. Please wait at least 1 year for these events.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It’s highly unlikely you managed to tear internal tissues by falling at nine months after a full tummy tuck.
If you have ongoing persistent pain that seems to last longer than it should then you may want to consider getting checked out.
From what you describe, I don’t think you caused any harm to the outcome of your plastic surgery procedure.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

TUMMY TUCK PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

Direct fall on tummy/mons

Answers (8)

TUMMY TUCK PROVIDERS NEAR YOU