I got a tummy tuck 3wks ago. On the 3rd day after my surgery I walked about 1/4 mile from a parking lot, out to a soccer field for my daughter's game. While I was walking I felt some pain in the center of stomach above my belly button. I have a small bulge there now. It goes away if I stand completely straight but if I slightly slouch it's there. My surgeon said its what was there already that got pulled down but, could I have busted a suture?
Answer: Swelling, some advices: Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us.At this point (3 weeks post-po) the swelling is normal.To reduce it, I recommend you perform daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the abdomen and wear a postoperative girdle from thigh to the breasts.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-
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Answer: Swelling, some advices: Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us.At this point (3 weeks post-po) the swelling is normal.To reduce it, I recommend you perform daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the abdomen and wear a postoperative girdle from thigh to the breasts.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Can walking too far too soon damage your tummy tuck? It's difficult to say without examining you, but I think it's unlikely that you would break a suture by walking. There are typically multiple layers of strong sutures that can withstand normal day-to-day activities. In my office, I asked patients to refrain from heavy activities (lifting or working out) for six weeks. Whenever there is any question about your surgery, it's a good idea to get in touch with your surgeon so that they can decide whether to have you return to clinic for an examination. Congratulations on your recent surgery.
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Can walking too far too soon damage your tummy tuck? It's difficult to say without examining you, but I think it's unlikely that you would break a suture by walking. There are typically multiple layers of strong sutures that can withstand normal day-to-day activities. In my office, I asked patients to refrain from heavy activities (lifting or working out) for six weeks. Whenever there is any question about your surgery, it's a good idea to get in touch with your surgeon so that they can decide whether to have you return to clinic for an examination. Congratulations on your recent surgery.
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Recovery after Tummy Tuck In general, I ask my patients to refrain from anything strenuous for the 1st six weeks. I would not really consider walking strenuous activity, unless it is causing you to raise your heart rate and cause you to become short of breath or start to breathe hard.Given how early you are in the recovery period, the only recommendation here is to continue with your follow ups with your plastic surgeon during your healing and reassess things when you are 4 months out.Hope that helps.
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Recovery after Tummy Tuck In general, I ask my patients to refrain from anything strenuous for the 1st six weeks. I would not really consider walking strenuous activity, unless it is causing you to raise your heart rate and cause you to become short of breath or start to breathe hard.Given how early you are in the recovery period, the only recommendation here is to continue with your follow ups with your plastic surgeon during your healing and reassess things when you are 4 months out.Hope that helps.
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Busted suture? It is unlikely that simple walking would have ripped a suture. It is possible that the tissues pulled apart somewhat, or simply stretched a bit, or that there is a fluid collection, or some focal skin laxity, etc. These things can only be determined with an in-person physical exam so I would discuss this further with your plastic surgeon.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Busted suture? It is unlikely that simple walking would have ripped a suture. It is possible that the tissues pulled apart somewhat, or simply stretched a bit, or that there is a fluid collection, or some focal skin laxity, etc. These things can only be determined with an in-person physical exam so I would discuss this further with your plastic surgeon.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Can walking too far too soon damage your tummy tuck? Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and congratulations on your tummy tuck procedure. Though your walk was unlikely to have caused the bulge, or resulted in breaking one of your muscle repair stitches, I would voice your concern to your surgeon and have an in-person evaluation performed. They can help diagnose the source of your discomfort and offer treatment recommendations. Best wishes.
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December 5, 2016
Answer: Can walking too far too soon damage your tummy tuck? Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and congratulations on your tummy tuck procedure. Though your walk was unlikely to have caused the bulge, or resulted in breaking one of your muscle repair stitches, I would voice your concern to your surgeon and have an in-person evaluation performed. They can help diagnose the source of your discomfort and offer treatment recommendations. Best wishes.
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