Did I damage something stretching after tummy tuck?

Question

I had a full tummy tuck three weeks ago. Most of my swelling had gone away and I was able to stand up completely straight. Last night I stretched while sleeping and felt a pulling sensation. This morning, I noticed I am not able to stand up straight without feeling a pulling sensation around my upper right quadrant. If I bend a little the pain goes away. I also noticed some swelling around incision and my feet are swollen as well which had not happened until today, did I damage something?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It is best to revisit your symptoms with your operating plastic surgeon.  Especially the swelling of your feet.  You may have strained the abdominal muscles. Please follow up with your surgeon.

	Dr. ES

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Dear Lleura,

	Thank you for your post.  You may have pulled on some internal sutures that your plastic surgeon may have placed inorder to sow your skin and fat back down to the muscle.  This should heal fine on its own.  I 'd recommend wearing your binder and following up with your plastic surgeon.

	Best Wishes,

	Pablo Prichard, MD

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question. It is hard to say exactly without actually seeing you for an exam, however, I doubt that you have injured anything. Typically you have sutures in your abdominal wall that are placed during the procedure. These may have been pulled somewhat when you stretched. Everything should heal and not really have any issues. I would contact your surgeon and ask them the same question.

Malcolm D. Paul, MD · Answer

You may have sretched the muscle repair. The swelling in your feet is unrelated, but needs to be evaluated.  You need to be seen by your Plastic Surgeon asap.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

It is very unlikely that everything that you describe is related to your “stretching” while sleeping. Furthermore, it is unlikely that stretching has caused enough force to cause “damage”. However, for meaningful diagnoses and/or reassurance, best to check with your plastic surgeon.  Do make sure you mention the lower extremity swelling as well.

	 Best wishes.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Of all the things you report the only one that sounds possibly troublesome is the sudden swelling of your feet. This can be a sign of blood clots, so a call to your surgeon today is in order so that you can be evaluated. All the best.

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