Can laughing episodes ruin your tummy tuck?

Question

I just had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair a week ago. I have had a couple of laughing episodes were a felt pain but couldn't stop. I am now concerned that I may have done something that may reverse the muscle repair and may have potentially ruined my results because my muscles do not fit as tight as they were before.

Mark A. Deuber, MD · Answer

In a tummy tuck, you have had excess skin and fat removed and incisions closed with multiple layers of stitches. You also almost certainly had a muscle repair with very strong sutures in your fascia. It is extraordinarily unlikely that any activity like laughing could have any detrimental effect on these procedures. You should be just fine.

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks
for the question, this is a common question for tummy tuck patients.  In
general, it is likely that you have not caused any damage to your results.
After a tummy tuck sporadic pain is normal to the healing process, and can
often be controlled with OTC (over the counter) pain medications. It's a good
idea for you to follow up with your board-certified plastic surgeon regarding
recovery issues.

Scott D. Holley, MD, FACS · Answer

Laughing, coughing, sneezing all will cause tension and sometimes spasm of the abdominal musculature.Following a tummy tuck it is quite common to experience occasional sharp pain in the abdominal muscles that have been plicated or tightened.  It would be very unlikely that even intense laughter could cause a problem but I would advise that you see your surgeon for an examination and reassurance.

Sanjiv Kayastha, MD · Answer

It is very unlikely that laughing would cause your muscle repair to come apart. The abdominal muscle are often sutured together with permanent stitches in two layers. Have your plastic surgeon examine you. They will likely reassure you that everything is OK. Good luck with your recovery.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.It would be highly unlikely that even intense laughing would cause damage to  the abdominal wall plication  performed during tummy tuck surgery. For real reassurance  raise your concerns to your  plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Can laughing episodes ruin your tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

6 weeks post tummy tuck, concerned about the drainage. Any suggestions?

Can I have another c section after two previous c sections and a tummy tuck?

Car ride home after full TT w/ lipo, including hips and thighs?

Is Dilaudid good for pain management after a tummy tuck?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS