Tightness sensation 1.5 years after tummy tuck. Should I be concerned?

Even though it is 18 months following your tummy tuck, you should not be concerned. I would suggest heat and massage to help loosen the surgical area. You might also consider seeing a physical therapist and a massage therapist. Everyone heals differently.

Thank you for your question about experiencing abdominal tightness one and a half years after undergoing a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). It's understandable to be concerned about long-term sensations post-surgery.
During a tummy tuck, one of the key procedures is the plication (tightening) of the rectus muscles, which are often brought together to flatten the abdomen and repair rectus diastasis (separation of the muscles). Typically, board-certified plastic surgeons use permanent sutures for this muscle repair, extending from the sternum to the pubic symphysis. As the name suggests, permanent sutures are designed to be long-lasting, and thus, the tightness you're feeling is a result of this intentional and enduring muscle repair.
Feeling tight in the abdominal area after a tummy tuck is quite common, primarily due to this muscle plication. While it can be a noticeable sensation, it's generally not something to be overly concerned about. Most patients adapt to this feeling over time.
However, in rare instances, if the tightness becomes unbearable or significantly affects your quality of life, there are options. One such option could be the surgical release of these permanent sutures. It's important to note that releasing these sutures might lead to some degree of abdominal bulging, as it would undo some of the muscle tightening achieved during the abdominoplasty.
In conclusion, while most patients adjust to the feeling of tightness following a tummy tuck, there are options available if the sensation is intolerable. I recommend discussing your concerns and symptoms with your plastic surgeon. They can provide tailored advice and potential solutions based on your specific situation and the details of your surgery.
Thank you for sharing your concerns, and I hope this information is helpful in addressing your questions about muscle tightness after abdominoplasty.
Good luck.

Tightness after a tummy tuck is normal and expected. If it is bothersome, stretching and massage can help alleviate the discomfort. Physical therapy, pilates, and yoga are great options to help with this.

Tightness after an abdominoplasty is not uncommon and is aesthetically desirable. If it is truly uncomfortable, talk to your surgeon about stretching exercises. Yoga seems to be popular in this situation.

Tightness is what tummy tuck does! Excess skin is removed so tightness is created in the vertical direction and muscles are brought together so tightness is created horizontally. You may need to do some stretches and exercises like Yoga to feel flexible again.

You had the tummy tuck to tighten your abdomen and it is doing what you wanted. If it feels too tight, try to lose weight to relax things up a bit more.

A sensation of tightness after a tummy tuck is not uncommon especially with muscle repair. As you increase your activity level you can add some gentle stretches to help ease that feeling. If it worsens or becomes painful visit with your surgeon.

This response was dictated using Word recognition.
My apologies in advance for any grammatical errors.
The most common reason patients complain of abdominal bulging after a full tummy tuck is due to excess visceral fat.
This can often be seen on both before, and after pictures.
Individuals who have excess visceral fat are not ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery unless they lose weight first.
To break things down there are four tissue variables that determine what the abdomen looks like.
To determine the best treatment or somebody’s candidacy for surgery we need to assess which of these tissue variables is causing the primary problem, which one is secondary, tertiary, etc.
The four tissue variables that determine what the abdomen looks like are the following.
1) abdominal skin, laxity typically due to previous or significant weight loss(best treated with full tummy tuck)
2) excess subcutaneous fat.(best treated with Liposuction.)
3) muscle separation from previous pregnancies.(best treated with full tummy tuck.)
4) excess visceral or intra-abdominal fat.(can only be treated with weight loss.)
At tummy truck primarily treats, abdominal skin, laxity, and muscle separation.
For that reason the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck should have only excess skin laxity and or muscle separation.
Individuals who have excess subcutaneous fat or excess visceral fat are going to be lesser candidates for this procedure.
individuals who have excess visceral fat, are going to get increased in abdominal pressure if the abdominal space is refused in size with muscle tightening from a tummy tuck.
The increased intra abdominal pressure will press against the abdominal wall and against the diaphragm, making it feel difficult to take a deep breath and like the abdomen is constantly firm, tight and hard.
Quality assessment for tummy tuck surgery should differentiate between the above for tissue variables, which determines each unique patients in individual candidacy for the procedure, and what the results are going to be like.
Plastic surgeons who don’t acknowledge or recognize individuals who have access digital fat and don’t explain. This variable to patience are going to have patience who typically come back with problems or concerns.
These patients should be told they need to lose weight in order to be a good candidates.
The good news is that you can lose weight before or after the procedure and get the same results.
I don’t know what your results look like because you didn’t include pictures.
I suggest always including proper before and after pictures whenever requesting and assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure.
Regardless of what your abdomen looks like or what your weight is I suggest dropping 5 pounds and reassessing. if possible, loose another 5 pounds, then reassess, take pictures and make notes regarding how your abdomen feels.
You’ll eventually get an understanding of what weight you need to be at to feel comfortable.
This will most likely also reflect on your physical appearance.
Take pictures at each weight loss interval to see how this affects your results and the sensation of tightness and fullness.
There is no surgical solution and weight loss is most likely the only way to get relief from what is most likely excess visceral fat which now has created, increased in abdominal pressure due to muscle tightening from a full tummy tuck.
I am without question making a fair amount of assumptions with my statements.
I’ve been doing this long enough to recognize patterns when I see them.
Consider reposting with proper before and after pictures to get quality assessment.
Alternatively, schedule in person second opinion consultations with other providers in your community.
For second opinion consultations always come prepared to bring me with you and complete set of proper before and after pictures and a copy of your upper report.
These are part of your medical record that you can request at any time from your current providers office.
Weight loss can be a struggle, but my instinct tells me that you would benefit greatly even from a small amount.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD