Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the issues you're experiencing after your tummy tuck. I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve been facing. An overly tight tummy tuck can indeed lead to significant discomfort and impact your quality of life. Fortunately, there are ways to address this. The tightness you’re experiencing might be due to the rectus abdominis muscle repair being too tight, or excessive skin tension. This can cause muscle spasms, discomfort, and a feeling of being overly restricted. Additionally, if the muscle repair was done too aggressively, it could create a bulging appearance, similar to what you described. One possible solution is a revision surgery, where the muscle repair can be partially released to alleviate the tightness. This procedure would involve re-entering the abdominal wall and adjusting the suture lines to create a more natural, less restrictive contour. During this surgery, the skin can also be adjusted to ensure it’s not excessively tight, allowing for more comfort and mobility. It’s crucial to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with revision tummy tuck surgeries. They will be able to assess your specific situation and recommend the best course of action to relieve your symptoms and restore a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing abdominal contour. In the meantime, it may be helpful to incorporate gentle stretching exercises and possibly seek physical therapy to help manage muscle spasms and discomfort. However, these are temporary measures, and surgical revision may be necessary to fully address the issue. I hope this information helps, and I wish you the best as you seek to improve your situation. Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS