Believe I tore my full tummy tuck. What are my options? Are revisions free for this?

Question

Almost 2 yrs post full tummy tuck. I've been careful and remain healthy. Reached overhead and felt an extremely sharp, quick, tear pain approx 4 inches vertically down, left of my navel. My stomach continues to look/feel more and more lax. The middle now hangs vertically under breasts to pubis leaning over. Assuming I tore this with not much effort. Should I go to my Dr. for a revision? Will he do a revision for free? What's the proper protocol for something like this? Can't afford this again.

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be hard to simply unravel a tummy tuck 2 years after surgery. By that time the tissues have healed, and are less reliant on the sutures than in the initial healing period. Only your surgeon knows  exactly how he did the procedure, for example whether he did single layer or double layer repair, whether the suture was absorbable or permanent, etc. It may be that something else is going on, and you tore the muscle for example. Each surgeon has his/her own policy regarding revisions, so you would have to check with him. At 2 years after surgery, it is unlikely to be free. Even with an early revision, in most cases you would have to pay for the operating room and anesthesia. First, though, you need a diagnosis to see what is going on, and if it is a problem that requires surgery or not, and if it does, if it is a revision of your tummy tuck or something else. Start with seeing your surgeon, before worrying about the what-ifs.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It appears that you have developed signs of abdominal wall weaknes, possibly abdominal hernia. Abdominal hernia evaluation and repair is usually done by a general surgeon. Consultation with a board certified genaral surgeon is recommanded as a first step. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear katurlacher,it is hard to tell without an examination. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. The price is entirely practice dependent. If its a revision, typically surgeons only ask the patient to pay for the surgery center and anesthesia.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

its best to see your surgeon for an evaluation and recommendations.  Its doubtful you could have torn anything but if there is truly a change in your appearances, something did happen.  If you do need a re-do, you should anticipated paying fees again as I know of no revision policy that goes this far out after surgery.

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

It's possible that you ruptured part of your plication and your abdominal wall is bulging at that place. That's pretty unusual 2 years out. You will need to check with your surgeon to get a diagnosis and see if a revision is needed. All plastic surgeons have different policies for revisions. Revisions generally are not free due to operating room and anesthesia expenses for the surgeon.

Believe I tore my full tummy tuck. What are my options? Are revisions free for this?

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