Uneven bulge on one side post tummy tuck - what could this be? (Photo)

Thank you for your history and for sharing your pictures, Powerful479374. In regard to the bulge you're noticing on one side after your tummy tuck and recent liposuction, there are several possibilities to consider. These include the development of a seroma (fluid collection), hematoma (blood collection), a hernia, or the partial or complete tearing of your prior tummy tuck rectus muscle plication sutures.

A physical examination and possibly radiographic workup, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, will be necessary to determine the exact cause of this lump.

If it’s a seroma, the fluid can usually be drained with a needle every other day over several weeks.
If it’s a hematoma, it might only need to be drained once or twice in the office with a needle.
If it’s a hernia, surgery might be required to repair it. A hernia can be best confirmed with imaging such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Additionally, if your plastic surgeon used permanent sutures to repair the rectus muscles during your tummy tuck, it’s possible that some of these sutures have broken. Liposuction in the area can sometimes cause strain on these stitches, leading to a partial bulge of the rectus abdominis muscle. This can also be visualized on imaging like a CT or MRI.
Given the noticeable difference and the hard lump you're feeling, I recommend following up with your plastic surgeon promptly to determine the cause of the bulge. They will be able to evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate treatment based on the findings.

I hope this helps to answer your question about the bulge you developed after your tummy tuck and liposuction. Wishing you the best of luck.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

We are all asymmetric and one side of our abdomen is different than the other. If abdominal wall tightening was done, this could have created some changes in the upper abdomen. It appears that liposuction has helped some which improves excess fat. I would obtain an abdominal ultrasound to rule out any hernia or weakness of the abdominal wall on that side.

Dear Powerful479374,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It's hard to assess you only through photos. Also to do that without pre op photos from before your surgeries. When there are asymmetries, it could be that they were present before surgery, asymmetries in your body (one side of the rib cage sticks out more than the other), fat pockets that were left in place, or even fluid build up. It's impossible to know without an assessment, but your doctor may know better since they did your surgery. Other imaging studies may help (especially a CT scan) to know what is actually in that area (hernia, fluid, fat, bone).

I would suggest going back to your surgeon and being examined for a seroma, a collection of fluid, that may have formed from the liposuction. This can be drained.

I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation of the bulge that concerns you. It could be swelling related to your surgery or it could be fluid build up. Your surgeon should help provide clarification for you.

Thank you for your question and including pictures. I'm sorry to see that you're having problems. Unfortunately, there are several possibilities as to what this could be. If you had liposuction of the upper belly, maybe more fat was removed from one side than the other. It could be a pocket of fluid called a Seroma. You may have had some bleeding into this area resulting in a collection of blood called a Hematoma. Or, there is a Very slim chance that it could be a hernia. The best thing to do is talk with your surgeon. If they do not help you out with correcting this, I would get another opinion in person. Good Luck