Second opinion on small bulge above incision? (Photos)

Question

Hi I am exactly 6 months postop and I have had this small bulge above my incision line I did contact my doctor and he said, “ Honestly that’s the last area where the swelling goes down and you won’t really know for another 3 months or so. Because of the blood supply I can’t remove fat from that section of your abdomen during a tummy tuck, so sometimes there is a little residual in which case a little lipo can take care of it. On the other hand once healing is complete most never need it”

Afet Oncel Bozkurt, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

As your doctor said, intensive liposuction was not applied to that area in order not to disturb the blood circulation. I recommend completing the healing process (approximately 1 year), after which correction can be made with liposuction if necessary.

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

Thank your for your question! I agree with your surgeon with regard to the tendency of this area to retain edema for months after surgery. There are two common causes of persistent or recurrent lower abdominal bulging after an abdominoplasty. One is an untreated or recurrent diastasis recti (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles). If this is the cause, re-operation is necessary to perform a rectus plication. The second relates to the fact that, for many patients, there is a significant difference in thickness between the upper abdominal skin and fat (often 1 inch thicker) and the mons/groin skin and fat. These two areas are brought into contact when the upper abdominal skin is pulled down and your incision is closed. I disagree with your surgeon's statement that the upper abdominal fat cannot be safely thinned to match the mons/groin thickness during an abdominoplasty. I routinely perform this maneuver specifically to avoid the lower abdominal bulge/fullness and create a seamless transition during my abdominoplasties. At this point, I agree with waiting 9-12 months prior to a touch-up procedure to eliminate the effects of edema/swelling as much as possible so that when you have liposuction your surgeon can accurately thin the bulging area and create a natural, harmonious transition.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The area that concerns you can still be related to residual swelling from surgery.  If this is what is causing it you should notice improvement over the next few months as you complete healing.  If it does not improve there may be a little pocket of fat there.  This can often be addressed with a little liposuction done under local anesthetic at the office.  A little more time is needed to know which it is.

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

Hello Lily2013,
You do have a larger bulge than usual for 6 months after a tummy tuck, right in the area that is the slowest area to heal.  This does occasionally happen after a tummy tuck, and can even take up to a year or sometimes longer to disappear.  If it does not resolve, liposuction can be used to remove the bulge, however I encourage you to wait the year before proceeding.  Any changes after a year will be very slow and not very significant.
In the mean time, you can consider lymphatic massage as a treatment, and consider wearing a compression garment.
I encourage you to follow up with your surgeon in 3 months time. 
All the best to you,
Dr. Nancy de Kleer

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lily2013,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Second opinion on small bulge above incision? (Photos)

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Answer: Small bulge above tummy tuck incision

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Second opinion on small bulge above incision? (Photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Small bulge above tummy tuck incision

Answer: Small bulge above tummy tuck incision

Answer: Bulge

Answer: Bulge

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.