My swelling is getting worse. I’ve been back to my doc 3 times complaining about fluid. The last time he scanned a small portion of my stomach saw a little fluid but did not want to stick me. He said he would stick me if I wanted him to. He barely removed any fluid and did not scan my entire stomach. He basically just made me feel like I was complaining. I would like to see someone else but other docs are reluctant to see a patient they did not work on. I’m frustrated and don’t know what to do.
Answer: 3 months postop with significant swelling I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems and frustrations after surgery. Thank you for posting pics, as they do help to paint a better picture. Your abdomen doesn't really have the appearance that one would expect with a seroma or fluid collection under the skin. If you have felt any popping sensations after surgery it is possible for the muscle tightening sutures to have broken or your abdomen could relax internally despite the tightening sutures. At three months postop, it would not be usual for the abdominal prominence to be due to postoperative swelling or even a seroma, at least to the extent that you have. While it would be exceedingly uncommon to have a problem in your abdomen such as a uterine fibroid or ovarian cyst cause abdominal distention (prominence) coincidentally at the same time as your early postoperative problems, sometimes it is important to consider other issues that may be causing the problems, especially since you say that you are waking up with more swelling. Typically, postoperative swelling is minimal in the morning after rest and more at night after a full day's activity. So it might be wise to also consult with your PCP or OB/GYN just to make sure nothing else is being missed. While you are right that many plastic surgeons don't enjoy seeing other surgeons' patients, especially in the early postoperative period, it doesn't mean they won't and getting a second opinion from another plastic surgeon might also help to reassure you about your surgical outcome. Best of luck!
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Answer: 3 months postop with significant swelling I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems and frustrations after surgery. Thank you for posting pics, as they do help to paint a better picture. Your abdomen doesn't really have the appearance that one would expect with a seroma or fluid collection under the skin. If you have felt any popping sensations after surgery it is possible for the muscle tightening sutures to have broken or your abdomen could relax internally despite the tightening sutures. At three months postop, it would not be usual for the abdominal prominence to be due to postoperative swelling or even a seroma, at least to the extent that you have. While it would be exceedingly uncommon to have a problem in your abdomen such as a uterine fibroid or ovarian cyst cause abdominal distention (prominence) coincidentally at the same time as your early postoperative problems, sometimes it is important to consider other issues that may be causing the problems, especially since you say that you are waking up with more swelling. Typically, postoperative swelling is minimal in the morning after rest and more at night after a full day's activity. So it might be wise to also consult with your PCP or OB/GYN just to make sure nothing else is being missed. While you are right that many plastic surgeons don't enjoy seeing other surgeons' patients, especially in the early postoperative period, it doesn't mean they won't and getting a second opinion from another plastic surgeon might also help to reassure you about your surgical outcome. Best of luck!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: Unhappy tummy tuck Dear DougDoll, Thanks for posting your tummy tuck pictures and sorry for your problem. From observing your early pictures of your tummy tuck and your current pictures, the following is noticed: 1. Your stomach definitely stretched and is bulging significantly.2. Your waists are much less defined.3. Your body posture is off center, which is not healthy. When I saw the pictures and the time line, 2 things came to mind as possible reasons for your conditions:1. Your surgeon used absorbing sutures to tighten the abdominal muscle and they dissolved after 6-8 weeks.2. You were too active and did strenuous activity , which stretched the muscles repair. In any event, you are still early in the healing process and by wearing a tight elastic Velcro binder 24/7 for at least one month (three is better), the muscle repair might tighten and flatten the stomach. If after 3 months things are not improving, you will have to consider surgical tightening (plication) of the abdominal muscles. Your best option , financially, will be to do it with your surgeon, however, if you lost confidence in the surgeon, consult with other experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with flat stomach, nice belly button, improved body posture and low scar. Best of luck, Dr Widder
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Unhappy tummy tuck Dear DougDoll, Thanks for posting your tummy tuck pictures and sorry for your problem. From observing your early pictures of your tummy tuck and your current pictures, the following is noticed: 1. Your stomach definitely stretched and is bulging significantly.2. Your waists are much less defined.3. Your body posture is off center, which is not healthy. When I saw the pictures and the time line, 2 things came to mind as possible reasons for your conditions:1. Your surgeon used absorbing sutures to tighten the abdominal muscle and they dissolved after 6-8 weeks.2. You were too active and did strenuous activity , which stretched the muscles repair. In any event, you are still early in the healing process and by wearing a tight elastic Velcro binder 24/7 for at least one month (three is better), the muscle repair might tighten and flatten the stomach. If after 3 months things are not improving, you will have to consider surgical tightening (plication) of the abdominal muscles. Your best option , financially, will be to do it with your surgeon, however, if you lost confidence in the surgeon, consult with other experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with flat stomach, nice belly button, improved body posture and low scar. Best of luck, Dr Widder
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
