Would Stretching in Bed Cause Muscle Repair Damage 14 Days After FTT?

Question

I'm a coupe weeks out from Full TT and I woke up stretching in bed, before I caught myself. It burned and I felt a pulling sensation. I know I still have some swelling this early on, but I'm scared I may have damaged my muscle repair. My surgeon did tell me that he couldn't get me completely flat without it bunching as there was such stretching from twin pregnancy. But I'm scared I might have harmed my muscle repair. How would I know? Here are before and pictures from today. Swelling or damage?

James F. Boynton, MD, FACS · Answer

In general listen to your body.  When you feel discomfort and burning your body is telling you not to do that.  I do not think you ruptured any of the sutures but it surely CAN happen 2 weeks after a tummy tuck.  I have my patients wear a protective abdominal binder at all times in the first 3 - 4 weeks after the surgery, and then at night for another 3-4 weeks.  The internal repair isn't really "strong" for 6 weeks.  I let my patients work out at 4 weeks but I do not allow them to do full sit-ups and crunches until 6 weeks.  I would agree that you still need to make an appointment with your plastic surgeon to have him or her evaluate you just to check.  I hope this helps!

	Sincerely,

	James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture.

Based on your description it is unlikely that a good muscle plication  will have come apart.

As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.

Abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck generally may be related to:
	1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
	2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
	3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
	4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
	Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.

I hope this helps.

Eric T. Emerson, MD, FACS · Answer

It can often be difficult to determine if there's been breakage of the sutures that hold your muscles together.  From your pictures, however, it appears to just  be swelling.  You will notice variable swelling of your abdomen (especially that beneath the belly button) over the next few months.  I would recommend that you make an appointment with your surgeon to have him/her evaluate you.  Best wishes.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

A pulling sensation and burning are common occurrences following a tummy tuck and clearly could have been precipitated by stretching. However, because of the way the muscle is repaired and its vector, it would be virtually impossible to rupture this repair by your actions. Given your description and the available photos, it is extremely unlikely that you did any damage.(Note: Your concern is an extremely common one that women have following a tummy tuck.)

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

It would take a significant strain to tear muscle repair sutures two weeks after tummy tuck. Stretching can cause pain, so listen to your body and relax the tummy and reduce the stress or stretch if it hurts. Likewise, sneezing and coughing can be painful, yet should not harm your result.
	Best of luck,
	peterejohnsonmd

Would Stretching in Bed Cause Muscle Repair Damage 14 Days After FTT?

Answers (7)

Answer: Stretching following a tummy tuck is highly unlikely to have ruptured the muscle repair

Answer: Stretching following a tummy tuck is highly unlikely to have ruptured the muscle repair

Answer: Stretching shouldn't cause muscle tears after tummy tuck

Answer: Stretching shouldn't cause muscle tears after tummy tuck

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.

Would Stretching in Bed Cause Muscle Repair Damage 14 Days After FTT?

Answers (7)

Answer: Stretching following a tummy tuck is highly unlikely to have ruptured the muscle repair

Answer: Stretching following a tummy tuck is highly unlikely to have ruptured the muscle repair

Answer: Stretching shouldn't cause muscle tears after tummy tuck

Answer: Stretching shouldn't cause muscle tears after tummy tuck

Browse related questions

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.