How Can I Tell if I Tore my Tummy Tuck Internal Sutures or Worse?

Congratulations on having undergone the tummy tuck procedure.In general, it would take a significant amount of pressure to “tear" the muscle repair after tummy tuck surgery. This event would likely be associated with significant discomfort. A change in your physical examination, such as increased swelling, bleeding, a new onset "bulge" would also be likely. Generally speaking, abdominal wall muscle plication performed during tummy tuck surgery is quite secure; disruption is very unusual. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question regarding the potential damage to your tummy tuck internal sutures following a fall.

Experiencing a fall just a few weeks after a tummy tuck with muscle repair can certainly be concerning. It's understandable to worry about whether you've harmed your muscle repair or torn any internal sutures. If you notice a significant increase in abdominal pain, especially if it feels sharp or is localized to the area where you felt the pull, this could be a sign that something has shifted or been damaged. Another indicator might be noticeable swelling, bulging, or a change in the contour of your abdomen. A bulge could suggest a hernia, which can occur if the sutures have torn.

In addition to these signs, new or worsening bruising at this stage might be concerning, as it could indicate internal bleeding or damage to the sutures. Changes in wound healing, such as your incision starting to open or the presence of discharge, redness, or unusual warmth around the incision site, should also be closely monitored, as these could be signs of a problem. Furthermore, if you develop a fever or start feeling generally unwell, it could point to an infection or another complication that needs to be addressed.

Given the potential for complications, it's crucial to reach out to your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. They may recommend an in-office evaluation or imaging studies like an ultrasound or CT scan to determine if there has been any damage to the muscle repair or internal sutures. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and have your surgeon assess the situation to ensure that everything is healing properly and to address any issues promptly if they arise.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

You may have harmed your muscle sutures, but it will take months to determine if that happened.  If there is persistent bulging after 6 months, you probably tore something.