Upper abdominal bulge after tummy tuck - will liposuction fix this? (Photo)

Thank you for your inquiry! It is hard to give a definite answer without a thorough in-office physical examination. There could be an area that would need a liposuction revision. If there are creases on your abdomen, it could be the way the compression garment is fitting. Schedule an in-office consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and allow us to help you reach your goals.

An examination is needed to be certain, but liposuction can remove excess fat in the upper abdomen. This was not done at the time of the tuck for safety reasons to your skin, but it can be done now.

Hello Powerful479374 in Tucson. Thank you for your question regarding the persistent upper abdominal bulge following your tummy tuck in February 2024.

The bulge in your upper stomach could be attributed to a few different factors, such as weakened or loosened rectus muscles or subcutaneous fat. An important factor to consider is whether your surgeon sutured your rectus abdominis muscles from the xiphoid process to the pubic region during your tummy tuck. This technique is typically used to flatten the abdominal profile postoperatively. If your surgeon did not perform this muscle suturing, or if the sutures have loosened, you might need to have the muscle plicated or resutured to correct this issue.

Alternatively, if the bulge is soft to the touch, it might be due to subcutaneous fat. In this case, liposuction could potentially be an effective treatment to remove this excess fat and improve the contour of your abdomen.

To accurately determine the nature of this bulge—whether it's due to muscle weakness, rectus diastasis, visceral fat, or subcutaneous fat—I recommend undergoing an MRI. This will provide a clear understanding of the underlying issue and guide the appropriate treatment.

Good luck with your continued recovery and addressing this concern. I hope this information helps guide you towards a successful resolution and achieving the abdominal contour you desire.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon