Can tummy tuck stitches be too tight?

Question

I am 10 days post op from tt w/ lipo and am experiencing severe pulling and tugging below the bb. It's caused back spasms so I'm on meds now. I didn't realize I'd be strung so tight because I've never had children nor been severely overweight so I thought repair would be minimal. I'm feeling like a have a net stretched across my abdomen and it tightens up when I walk around too much. I have to sit after 15-20 minutes and I'm short of breath. Is this a normal part of healing and I'm just slow?

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

Tightness of the abdominal wall and a pulling sensation on the incision line is quite common after tummy tuck surgery. The tightness relaxes with time and eventually completely fades away. But you seem to be describing a bit more severe of a pulling issue than what I would consider normal. It is difficult to say what exactly is going on without an exam. But it could be that the skin has been pulled too tight or that the belly button was brought out through the skin too high and is now tethered. Or it could be completely normal. You will need to follow up with your surgeon to determine what exactly is going on.

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

Pain, pulling, and tugging
along the incision quite common after tummy tuck surgery.  The discomfort
can get worse a few weeks after surgery as some of the nerves start to wake up
and work again. Pain can also increase because at three weeks out patients start
to get more active once again.

Sometimes the pain is
caused by tugging of a stitch that will eventually dissolve, sometimes it
can be caused by scar tissue. Generally these aches and pains and zings
will come and go for a few months after surgery, but usually they resolve.

You may feel more
comfortable if you speak to your plastic surgeon directly.  He or she
should be the one to recommend medication to you.

Gaurav Bharti, MD, FACS · Answer

Symptoms of pain, pulling, or tugging after a TT need to be conveyed to your surgeon.  In addition any other symptoms such as swelling, change in color or drainage need to be discussed.  Make sure you are formally evaluated by your surgeon.  With that being said, it is very common to have pain and tugging in various places after a TT.  This typically improves with time as the swelling decreases and sutures dissolve.  Good luck in your recovery.  Gaurav Bharti

Douglas Hargrave, MD · Answer

The symptoms that you are experiencing may be normal in the course of healing 10 days after a tummy tuck, but they also may indicate that there is cause for concern.  It is just not possible to tell without knowing more.  The best advice is to return to your plastic surgeon as soon as you can, and have these concerns addressed.Dr Hargrave

Can tummy tuck stitches be too tight?

Answers (4)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

What method do you recommend on cleaning my incision area and naval after a tummy tuck?

Water Pills po op Lipo and tummy tuck

Would a 4-5 cm Diastasis Recti cause pain?

Is the tummy tuck scar worth the result? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS