Upper Abdominal Bulge 8 Weeks After Tummy Tuck with MR? (photo)

Question

I am 8 weeks post-op tummy tuck with MR. From day 1 after surgery I have seen an upper abdominal bulge. It is hard and not soft or spongy. It looks like that right after I get up in the morning and remains that way or gets a little worse as the day progresses. I have asked my PS about this and he said that he has tightened my muscles as much as possible and that it is my organs protruding out. Can someone please give me some advice as to why this happens and what can be done to rectify it?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In general, this can be the result of failed plication, fluid collection, intrabdominal fat and extrabdominal fat. In a lot of women the upper abdomen can appear to have more fat on it due to the fact the the rest of the flap is stretched thinner below. Liposuction after 3 or 6 months would be appropriate in this case after swelling has resolved.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

The upper abdominal fullness certainly can be caused by internal organs, fat or fluid collections beneath the skin.  The fluid collections are diagnosed with a good physical exam.  In some cases the abdomen can not surgically made pancake flat.  These expectations need to be discussed at the consultation. 

	 

	Dr. ES

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Dear Joym, judging from your pre-op picture, you seem to have got a nice result following the tummy tuck procedure. It would be difficult to determine the exact reason of the upper abdominal bulge without a clinical examination. However, in my opinion it could be due to residual fat in the upper abdominal region, or as pointed out by your PS, intra abdominal fat which can not  & could not be addressed by liposuction.

	It would be ideal to wait for a while for the tissues to settle down and then take a call with your PS after 8-10 weeks. The superficial residual fat can be addressed with a lipo procedure under sedation with local anaesthesia.

	All the best!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

The muscles can only be tightened so much during surgery. At some point, because every person has fixed mass volume inside the abdomen the surgery will not reduce the girth of the abdomen any more. Perhaps some weight loss will help to reduce your volume inside the abdominal cavity - hope this helps! Dr. Aldo.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for the photos you have attached. Based upon these it appears that you have a nice result.  There are some limitations to tightening the abdomen--the contents have volume and cannot be compressed without severe consequence. 

	There may certainly be some swelling still present at 2 months. The possibility of a fluid collection can be determined by physical exam. EIther of these can contribute to the contour. 

	Your surgeon's explanation sounds right.

	Best wishes.

Upper Abdominal Bulge 8 Weeks After Tummy Tuck with MR? (photo)

Answers (8)