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Posted under Tummy Tuck q&a

Bulging and Hard Upper Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

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amalex
I had my Tummy Tuck on 12/20/08. Recently, my upper abdomen gets very swollen and my muscles feel very tight and like cards. What could be happening? I have consulted with my surgeon, and he initially thought it was fluid retention. He checked by placing a needle in the area, but there was none. He said it's very impossible that the stitches used to pull my muscles together came loose. He told me to take it easy, keep wearing my girdle, and massage the area. I was fine for a few weeks, then all of a sudden, here comes the swollen ab again. Why is this happening? Is it normal, and will it eventually stop? Can I take an X-Ray to find out what is happening? Am I doing something that could be causing this? Please advise, much appreciated.

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Dr. Steven Wallach, MD
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