Tummy Tuck Result Ruined from Straining on my First Bowel Movement in a Week?

I doubt that you have done any serious damage to your abdomen.  More likely, you are experiencing some pain in the abdominal wall from the straining, but it is unlikely that you tore the muscle plication.  I would recommend that you have your surgeon reevaluate you to ease your mind.

 

While Potentially you could have damaged your tummy tuck repair, that is very unlikely. It would take either a sudden large force or a longer sustained force acting a a poor repair done on poor / weak tissues to cause a rip in the muscle repair. Relax. See your surgeon and he would reassure you. 

Rest assured, you have probably done no damage to the muscle tightening stitches that were placed during your surgery. These stitches are very strong and the likelihood of tearing them is very remote. Continue with your scheduled follow-ups and don't worry about having ruined your results. Good luck

Thank you for the question.

It would be very unusual for you to have done any damage with “ straining on the first bowel movement”;  it generally requires significant pressure to break the sutures typically used for muscle plication during tummy tuck surgery. Also, if any damage had been done you would likely know it....

I would suggest follow-up with your plastic surgeon for much more reassuring examination.

Best wishes with the remainder of your recovery.

I have never had a patient cause damage to the muscle repair or the skin closure for that matter after a tummy tuck.  That is not to say it cannot happen.  A number of stitches are used and I think you would have to strain pretty significantly in order to really damage the repair. 

If you are concerned however, you should contact your plastic surgeon and be seen to see if there is any change in your exam.

Thank you for your question and good luck.

I doubt that you would have ruinerd everything from one bowelmovement.  There are many internal stitches holding everything in place.  Rather than drive yourself crazy, why not call your plastic surgeon and go in and see him or her.  That will relieve a lot of stress on you and you will probably sleep better.  Good luck, Dr. Schuster in Boca Raton

It would be very unusual for the muscle tightening procedure to "come undone" from straining during the bowel movement. The muscle plication is usually performed in one or two layers of permanent sutures.  It would be very difficult to tear that apart without experiencing severe pain. Most likely there was some pulling of the muscles and not a tear of the muscle repair.  Remember to avoid heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements, and stay in your abdominal binder.  Of course anytime you have a concern about your recovery, you should contact your plastic surgeon.
Hope you have a quick and comfortable recovery.

There is a low risk that straining after tummy tuck will ruin your result. The tenderness will cause you to back off, and tears after would come with considerable pain and setback. Use a binder for support, and try milk of magnesia twice daily to avoid the strain.
Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

I doubt that the result of your tummy tuck was compromised (or "ruined") by straining.  Personally, I use many stitches to plicate the rectus muscle.  Even if one of the sutures was torn, the rest of the sutures would keep the repair intact. If you experienced pain from straining, it might have been due to sutures pulling on the muscle.  Of course, all plastic surgeons are slightly different in her/his surgical techniques.  You should ask your plastic surgeon and have her/him examine you.  Best wishes.

There would be only one way to find out and of course that is to go in and see your doctor for a follow up exam.