How can you tell if a muscle repair has come loose/undone? Is it possible for a # 3yrs post op BBL-TT-MR-LIPO?? (photo)

Question

I am curious to see if it did loosen would there be any visible signs?? or discomforts?? i was coughing up a storm and felt this bubbly, tingly sensation run down on my stomach on left side of belly button. and it occured to me, could it have come undone?? iam curious to see before and after pics of this matter... thank you dearly.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

At three years out, you should have healed that repair and I wouldn't really worry about it much at this point.  If there was absorbable suture used it has now dissolved and the scar tissue created is much stronger than any sutures we have available.Good Luck!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

If you lie down on your back and lift your head off of the ground, you will be able to feel a space between your six-pack muscles... but it is really rare for things to "break down" at this point.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.It would be rare to see things completely undone but loosening does happen over timeSinve you've noticed a change I would recommend following up with your doctor The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photographs.  An in-person examination is always best to try and diagnose a MR issue, but after three years, it would be very unusual for a disruption to have occurred.  See your surgeon for an evaluation, they can best provide you with reassurance.

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

If i understand your question correctly, you are now 3 years out from your tummy tuck.  While most plastic surgeons use permanent sutures, by 2-3 months there should be sufficient scar tissue formed to no longer warrant the sutures.  I doubt that you have torn the muscle and your postop pics still look great.  If you had torn the repair, you stomach would bulge again and I see no evidence of that.  Best of luck!

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

At 3 years your muscle repair should be stable and I don't think your recent coughing episode would have caused any permanent damage.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Physical examination would be necessary to evaluate your abdominal wall muscle laxity. Generally speaking, it would be extremely unlikely that you would have experienced a separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair this far out of surgery.  Best wishes.

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and photographs. It would be very unusual to disrupt your muscle repair 3 years after your surgery. At 12 weeks post op there is enough healing that most surgeons will release patients to full activity. In addition your pictures show no bulging in the abdominal region. If still concerned I would suggest you return to your plastic surgeon for an in-person evaluation. I hoe this helps. Best wishes.

Paul Gill, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I do not think there is any chance that your muscle repair is damaged 3 years after a tummy tuck.   I would recommend a followup with your plastic surgeon.  All the best.Dr. Gill

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be highly unlikely but you can always return to your PS for an examination to make sure.  Good luck.

How can you tell if a muscle repair has come loose/undone? Is it possible for a # 3yrs post op BBL-TT-MR-LIPO?? (photo)

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