Bulge remaining after tummy tuck
I would expect you to have relatively little swelling after five weeks and, based on your body contour in the photographs, the bulge does not appear to be fat.
Although it is impossible to tell for sure without an examination, it appears that little, if any muscle tightening was performed.
I would talk this over with your surgeon. (James McMahan, MD, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)
Has tummy tuck failed?
It will be unfair to comment without seeing photos of before surgery.
Tummy tuck without lipo will look like this. I am sure if you were promised muscle repair then it must have been done. I normally use compression abdominal binder for 3 months after surgery to help my result. You should consult your PS is you are so much concerned. (Ashok Govila, FRCS, MCh, MS, Dubai Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck Results
When it comes to results from a tummy tuck, one of the most important predictors is the pre-operative anatomy. In your photos, it appears that your anterior abdominal wall was thick prior to surgery. This probably explains your post-operative contour. One good option for you may be a staged second procedure to liposuction the anterior abdomen. (Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
“Failed” Tummy tuck?
Your photographs are suggestive of the muscles not being tightened (plicated) as much as they could have BUT in the absence of a critical excamination of your tummy and your BEFORE pictures it is impossible to say with certainty.
A similar image may be seen with women who have a significant amount of fat under ther skin. In such cases, the muscles are tightened, but the fat remains giving a less than perfect result. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Why Is My Abdomen Bulging 5 Weeks After A FTT?
Five weeks after a full tummy tuck, you should be seeing the excellent results of the removal of excess skin and muscle tightening. When you have a bulge such as the one that your picture shows, there are several possible explanations.
- You have significant soft tissue swelling which should clear itself over the next couple of months.
- You may have a lot of subcutaneous fat which can be liposuctioned out at a second surgery.
- The muscle repair failed. Your rectus diastasis (separation of muscles) returned.
- This is the most likely cause of the problem. You have some form of fluid under the skin causing a large, symmetrical bulge of your abdomen. This is easily treated by drainage of one sort or another.
Consult with your plastic surgeon. He or she should have no trouble in determining the cause of the bulge and treating it appropriately. (S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, Honolulu Plastic Surgeon)