What could cause upper & lower stomach bulge after tummy tuck? (Photos)

Hi @nsoto9172017, thank you for your question. There are many factors to consider: the technique used is one of the most important factors, but it may also be worth considering any underlying systemic issues. I would encourage you to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, your surgeon will be able to assess your unique needs and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

It would be very difficult to give you a meaningfull advise, opinion, without in person evaluation. It does not look that you need a new TT but lipocustion may be one of the options? In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon or, at least, telemedicine consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, is recommended. Good luck.

It is always difficult to say, but an exam would help identify the issue. It does appear that you may need further muscle plication/tightening. In some patients there is only so much that the muscle can be tightened because in those cases the intra-abdominal content/fat doesnt allow the muscle to be pushed back in any further. I am not sure that is your case, but that does happen in certain patients.
I always advocate that patients undergoing a tummy tuck procedure are at a stable weight and able to maintain that weight. Because another issue is also weight gain after the procedure which can lead to a recurrence of the bulge with deposit of fat behind the muscle.

I would seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to be evaluated and given your options.

Hope that helps.

Dear nsoto9172017,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It's difficult to answer what may be causing your contour concerns without more information or an examination. If muscle repair was not done, that could cause a rounded appearance to the abdomen. If it was done, it could be that it failed (it would be uncommon for the whole area to fail however). Seroma formation can also cause fullness. Weight gain resulting in increased visceral fat could also lead to fullness of the abdomen.

An examination and maybe an ultrasound are needed to see what may be the cause of your bulges. It could be internal fat which is not treated with a tummy tuck.

Appears in your only side view posted photos a laxity or seroma in lower abdomen. You must obtain an ultrasound examination. Then you will need re full TT with layered muscle repair. Fee $10,000.

It does not appear that you have a seroma (fluid collection) which may cause abdominal bulging post abdominoplasty procedures. Other potential causes may be a loss in integrity of the suture plication (repair of the rectus muscle during the procedure), the patient postoperatively not having any muscle tone which allows the abdomen to curve out from top to bottom. It is normal for all of us to have some degree of anterior abdominal muscle tone when standing up. If we relax our muscles completely, everyone's abdomen bows out.

The most common reason for a bulging abdomen after a tummy tuck is excess visceral fat.
This should’ve been assessed as part of your consultation.
There are four variables that determine what someone’s abdomen looks like. The four variables are skin laxity, subcutaneous fat, muscle separation or excess visceral fat.
This is true whether someone has had a tummy tuck or not.
If someone is disappointed with the outcome of the procedure it is almost always one of those four variables that’s causing the problem.
A plastic surgeon should be able to identify the cause of your bulging abdomen.
To differentiate muscle separation from excess visceral fat try simply laying on your back and see if your abdomen goes completely flat.
If it has any bulge with you laying on your back then most likely it’s a visceral fat issue.
Another way to assess visceral fat is depress your abdomen flat with your non-dominant hand. If it feels like it takes a lot of pressure to hold your abdomen really flat then visceral fat is most likely causing pressure against the back of your abdomen with limited intra-abdominal space from muscle tightening.
Follow up with your provider or schedule in person second opinion consultations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD