Hi! I was in a pretty severe car accident in the rear seat, I suffered a fractured spine and sternum. My abdomen was swollen on right, above hip but I chalked it up to from the seatbelt.. fast forward almost 5 months it’s still there and painfully tight. My GP ran tests and sent me to specialists and found nothing. I see my PS next week but could the seatbelt of ruined my tummy/muscle tightening? I look deformed. See picture.. prior plastics, a week prior to accident and now.
Answer: Can a Car Accident Affect Muscle Tightening Results from a Tummy Tuck? Thank you for your question and for providing your history and photos. Based on the severity of the car accident you described, it is very possible that the force of the seatbelt during the impact could have damaged the muscle tightening results from your tummy tuck. Since you suffered fractures to your spine and sternum, the force involved was substantial, and this kind of trauma can also affect the rectus abdominis muscles that were repaired during your tummy tuck. The tightening of these muscles is typically achieved with sutures, and the intense pressure from a seatbelt during a high-impact collision could potentially tear these sutures. This could lead to muscle deformity, which may explain the persistent swelling and tightness you're experiencing. Additionally, the trauma from the accident could cause internal bleeding, resulting in a hematoma (collection of blood) or a seroma (collection of serous fluid). Either of these could present as swelling or a bulge in the area. It's good that you're seeing your plastic surgeon soon, as they may need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI, to assess whether the muscle repair has been disrupted. Depending on the findings, the solution could range from draining any fluid collections to considering revision surgery if the muscle tightening has been compromised. Given the complexity of your case, it’s crucial to follow up with your plastic surgeon for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. They will be able to determine the best course of action based on your specific situation. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen
Helpful
Answer: Can a Car Accident Affect Muscle Tightening Results from a Tummy Tuck? Thank you for your question and for providing your history and photos. Based on the severity of the car accident you described, it is very possible that the force of the seatbelt during the impact could have damaged the muscle tightening results from your tummy tuck. Since you suffered fractures to your spine and sternum, the force involved was substantial, and this kind of trauma can also affect the rectus abdominis muscles that were repaired during your tummy tuck. The tightening of these muscles is typically achieved with sutures, and the intense pressure from a seatbelt during a high-impact collision could potentially tear these sutures. This could lead to muscle deformity, which may explain the persistent swelling and tightness you're experiencing. Additionally, the trauma from the accident could cause internal bleeding, resulting in a hematoma (collection of blood) or a seroma (collection of serous fluid). Either of these could present as swelling or a bulge in the area. It's good that you're seeing your plastic surgeon soon, as they may need to perform additional tests, such as an MRI, to assess whether the muscle repair has been disrupted. Depending on the findings, the solution could range from draining any fluid collections to considering revision surgery if the muscle tightening has been compromised. Given the complexity of your case, it’s crucial to follow up with your plastic surgeon for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. They will be able to determine the best course of action based on your specific situation. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen
Helpful
September 24, 2024
Answer: Can a seatbelt cause this? I'm sorry to hear about your accident and injuries. While the seatbelt wouldn't necessarily "undo" the corrections from the tummy tuck the severe impact from the accident could damage your abdominal wall. Additional imaging such as an MRI or CT scan would be helpful in determining what is occurring below the surface.
Helpful
September 24, 2024
Answer: Can a seatbelt cause this? I'm sorry to hear about your accident and injuries. While the seatbelt wouldn't necessarily "undo" the corrections from the tummy tuck the severe impact from the accident could damage your abdominal wall. Additional imaging such as an MRI or CT scan would be helpful in determining what is occurring below the surface.
Helpful
September 24, 2024
Answer: Could a seatbelt in a car accident cause damage to my muscle tightening results? You will need some imaging like CT scan or MRI to see what is causing the bulge. Seat belt is unlikely to do this but a pelvic fracture can cause swelling, hematoma, or nerve damage to cause a bulge.
Helpful
September 24, 2024
Answer: Could a seatbelt in a car accident cause damage to my muscle tightening results? You will need some imaging like CT scan or MRI to see what is causing the bulge. Seat belt is unlikely to do this but a pelvic fracture can cause swelling, hematoma, or nerve damage to cause a bulge.
Helpful
September 19, 2024
Answer: The bulge you have is concerning You do have fullness on your flank, abdomen in the same area where you had redundant tissue prior to the tummy tuck. You may have pre-existing attenuation of your abdominal musculature, that was exacerbated by the car accident. If you had a failure of rectus diastasis repair, the bulge would be above the belly button, not to the side. Imaging may clarify the situation. I would obtain a CT or ultrasound prior to seeing your surgeon to facilitate the discussion.
Helpful
September 19, 2024
Answer: The bulge you have is concerning You do have fullness on your flank, abdomen in the same area where you had redundant tissue prior to the tummy tuck. You may have pre-existing attenuation of your abdominal musculature, that was exacerbated by the car accident. If you had a failure of rectus diastasis repair, the bulge would be above the belly button, not to the side. Imaging may clarify the situation. I would obtain a CT or ultrasound prior to seeing your surgeon to facilitate the discussion.
Helpful
September 19, 2024
Answer: Car accident and muscle tightening Thank you for your question. A significant impact that fractured your sternum can certainly injure your abdominal wall, whether it's the prior tightening you had with your abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, or another are such as your oblique muscles or injury to the rectus abdomonus muscles. I think in this case imaging such as a CT scan to evaluate your abdominal wall would be informative. I hope this helps answer your question and best of luck!
Helpful
September 19, 2024
Answer: Car accident and muscle tightening Thank you for your question. A significant impact that fractured your sternum can certainly injure your abdominal wall, whether it's the prior tightening you had with your abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, or another are such as your oblique muscles or injury to the rectus abdomonus muscles. I think in this case imaging such as a CT scan to evaluate your abdominal wall would be informative. I hope this helps answer your question and best of luck!
Helpful