I had a full TT in April 2018 with pretty extensive MR. Every follow up since my surgery I’ve expressed my concern with my PS about possible failure. Every time I was told that my MR was in tact. Now at 10 months PO he’s saying I must have weak fascia and my muscles separated and that I will have to pay for a mini TT to have him fix my muscles. Very frustrated to say the least. Does this look like MR failure? Can I fix with ab work or will I need to re-do it to get flat?
February 21, 2019
Answer: Tummy tuck surgery: Failed muscle repair? I am sorry to hear about your concerns after tummy tuck surgery. Given that you are 10 months postop, I would suggest that you continue to work on strengthening your abdominal wall muscles, prior to making any decisions whether or not to return to the operating room for revisionary surgery. In my experience, I have seen patients benefit from strengthening of the abdominal wall muscles after tummy tuck surgery; this is understandable given that the patients have not been able to use or strengthen the rectus abdominis muscles prior to and after the tummy tuck procedure. In my practice, I ask patients to start with planks and move up to more active upper and lower abdominal wall strengthening exercises. Your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to returning to specific exercises. In the longer term, if the above measures do not return your abdominal wall to a flat contour, revisionary surgery will likely be necessary. Policy regarding coverage of expenses for revisionary surgery will vary from office to office and probably on a case-by-case basis as well. Costs of revisionary surgery may range from zero, to anesthesia/surgery center fees, to discounted surgeon's fees.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 21, 2019
Answer: Tummy tuck surgery: Failed muscle repair? I am sorry to hear about your concerns after tummy tuck surgery. Given that you are 10 months postop, I would suggest that you continue to work on strengthening your abdominal wall muscles, prior to making any decisions whether or not to return to the operating room for revisionary surgery. In my experience, I have seen patients benefit from strengthening of the abdominal wall muscles after tummy tuck surgery; this is understandable given that the patients have not been able to use or strengthen the rectus abdominis muscles prior to and after the tummy tuck procedure. In my practice, I ask patients to start with planks and move up to more active upper and lower abdominal wall strengthening exercises. Your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to returning to specific exercises. In the longer term, if the above measures do not return your abdominal wall to a flat contour, revisionary surgery will likely be necessary. Policy regarding coverage of expenses for revisionary surgery will vary from office to office and probably on a case-by-case basis as well. Costs of revisionary surgery may range from zero, to anesthesia/surgery center fees, to discounted surgeon's fees.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 21, 2019
Answer: Couple of possibilities if it was there from the beginning it’s possible that the muscle was not tightened enough. It is also possible that early on you broke the stitch and things relaxed... and other times, good repair can be done but patients fascia is just weak and stretches. Discuss with your surgeon but it is not unheard of to have to return and do a mini tummy tuck to tighten the lower muscles again, sometimes reinforced with a little bit of mesh! The idea is not very fun but I’m sure your surgeon want to make you happy..,
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
February 21, 2019
Answer: Couple of possibilities if it was there from the beginning it’s possible that the muscle was not tightened enough. It is also possible that early on you broke the stitch and things relaxed... and other times, good repair can be done but patients fascia is just weak and stretches. Discuss with your surgeon but it is not unheard of to have to return and do a mini tummy tuck to tighten the lower muscles again, sometimes reinforced with a little bit of mesh! The idea is not very fun but I’m sure your surgeon want to make you happy..,
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
