Could a seatbelt in a car accident cause damage to my muscle tightening results? (photos)

I suspect that you may have a seroma from the injury. An ultrasound could be done to see if you have fluid and the fluid could be drained. I doubt your muscles were injured, but a hernia is always possible.

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

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.