Hard Bulge After Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair

This is likely a combination of scar tissue and compromised fat around the belly button which is poorly vascularized.
Generally over time, this will resolve.
The tight feeling also tends to resolve unless you have gained weight since undergoing the surgery.
As mentioned, discuss your concerns with your surgeon to ensure that all is healing well and there is no other cause for your findings.

Hello Maximus, thank you for your question regarding the hard bulge and discomfort you're experiencing after your tummy tuck with muscle repair.

At eight months post-op, it is not uncommon to encounter some lingering tightness and discomfort, particularly if your recovery was otherwise complication-free. The hard bulge around your belly button and the sensations of pulling and tightness you describe could indeed be related to scar tissue formation. When the abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened during a tummy tuck, it creates a significant amount of internal scarring as the tissues heal. This scar tissue can sometimes form adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that can cause the muscles and skin to feel tight or "stuck."

The hard bulge you are experiencing could also be due to residual swelling or fat necrosis, which is the death of fat cells that can occur after surgery. Another possibility is a small hernia, especially if you feel a lump that seems to protrude with certain movements or straining.

To address the discomfort and tightness, you might consider the following: Gentle massage can help break down scar tissue and improve flexibility. Some patients find relief through techniques like deep tissue massage or myofascial release. Physical therapy can also be beneficial, as a physical therapist experienced in post-surgical recovery can guide you through exercises and stretches designed to increase mobility and reduce tightness. Additionally, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce discomfort and inflammation.

It's important to discuss these symptoms with your plastic surgeon. They can perform a physical examination and possibly imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to rule out other causes like hernias or unresolved issues from your initial surgery. In most cases, the tightness and discomfort will gradually improve as your body continues to heal. However, if the hard bulge persists or if you experience increasing pain, it is essential to seek medical advice to ensure there are no underlying complications.

Good luck, and I hope this helps address your concerns regarding the hard bulge and discomfort after your tummy tuck with muscle repair.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Hi there-
It is, of course impossible for me to know for sure without examining you and having a better understanding of how your surgery was done (there are many ways to tuck a tummy), but is sounds like you are experiencing some contraction of the scar tissue that formed under your skin.
Just as scar forms in the skin, it also does so underneath at the site of your muscular repair. All scar tissue is very inflexible, and also tends to shrink (or contract) over the first year or so. With certain movements, this will cause most patients to feel exactly what you are experiencing.
It is important to visit your surgeon to be sure you don't have a more significant problem (doubtful from the sound of things). It is also important for you to understand that at this point your wounds are about as strong as they're going to get- in other words, it's unlikely that these feelings mean you're causing yourself harm. Once my patients reach complete healing, I actually encourage them to do stretching exercises and yoga, to stretch the scar slowly over time and prevent these uncomfortable feelings.
Visit your surgeon- as long as things are good on exam, try stretching gently once a day.