Bloating and Distention. Bloating, gas pains, and abdominal distention are common features of tummy tuck recovery. Taking pain medication is part of the reason this is seen as it can effect intestinal motility or movement.
Bowel Problems After Tummy Tuck – A few weeks ago, I had a consultation with a 42-year-old male who is experiencing some problems. This gentleman loves to work out at the gym and he looks pretty great. He was extremely concerned about looking his best.
Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the world. Despite this, there’s a lot of information surrounding it that doesn’t always paint the procedure in a good light. Though I feel these practices are unethical and in many cases harmful, they are out there and some people will go to them. As a result it is important to know what you’re doing.
Bowel Problems After Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgeries are performed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles that support the abdominal wall. This procedure is usually done in combination with a breast lift, which is sometimes called a tummy tuck and breast lift.
A tummy tuck and breast lift can be done at the same time or as two separate procedures. Tummy tucks are often done on women who have lost a significant amount of weight to correct saggy skin, stretch marks, asymmetry (unevenness), or an abdominal pannus (skin flap).
Before undergoing this surgery, it’s important to know what can happen in the weeks following your operation. When complications do occur, they’re often minor and easily treatable. However, if you experience any of these symptoms after your surgery, call your doctor immediately.
Bowel Problems After Tummy Tuck
If you have been considering a tummy tuck surgery, you may have heard that some people experience bowel problems after the procedure. In this article, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of bowel problems after tummy tuck.
What Causes Bowel Problems After a Tummy Tuck?
Bowel problems after a tummy tuck usually occur when there is a disruption of the normal blood supply to the intestine. This can be caused by surgical error such as cutting or stitching too close to the colon or rectum, causing an internal hernia. Other causes include:
Infection (wound infection, peritonitis)
Antibiotics may be used to treat the infection
Hemorrhage from the bowel wall (intra-abdominal bleeding)
Damage to blood vessels that supply blood flow to your bowel can lead to serious complications like shock and death.
Muscle Spasms Years After Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. It can also be used to repair loose or sagging skin caused by pregnancy, weight loss or aging.
The procedure is done under general anesthesia in an operating room. The surgeon makes an incision just above the pubic hairline, then separates the muscles and removes the fat and excess skin. The abdominal muscles are tightened and repositioned with sutures or surgical staples (depending on your surgeon’s preference). The new belly button is created using a small graft of tissue taken from behind the incision line.
Tummy Tuck Side Effects
While most people tolerate a tummy tuck very well, there are some potential risks and side effects associated with this procedure:
Infection — Infection is rare but possible after any surgery. If you develop a fever or redness around the incision site within three weeks after surgery, call your doctor immediately.
Pain — You may have pain at your incision sites for several weeks after surgery. This should gradually subside as your body heals during this time period. You’ll need to take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor until it does subside completely (typically about six months after surgery).
After the surgery, you will go home with your stomach muscles secured into position. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication that can be taken as needed to relieve discomfort. Most people experience some swelling after the procedure and this should subside within a few weeks. You may also experience numbness in the area of the surgery for about two months as well as bruising, which is normal and should fade over time.
You will not be able to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for six weeks following surgery, so you should plan accordingly. After six weeks have passed, you can resume exercising but only at a very low intensity level until your doctor gives you permission to increase your activity level again.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
Excessive bleeding
Bleeding is normal after tummy tuck. If you have excessive bleeding, it may be due to a tear in a blood vessel.
Infection
Infection is one of the most common complications of any surgery. Symptoms include redness, swelling and pus-filled blisters around the incision site. You should contact your surgeon if you notice signs of infection or if your wound has become redder or swollen.
Scarring
Scarring is a normal part of the healing process after tummy tuck surgery. However, if you are experiencing excessive scarring, or if you have a hard lump under your skin that expands as it heals over time, you should consult with your surgeon right away because these conditions can lead to serious complications like infection or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The recovery process after a tummy tuck can be difficult, but it’s worth it. In fact, many people say they wish they had undergone the procedure much sooner.
If you’re considering getting a tummy tuck, here are some signs that it’s time:
You’re sick of looking in the mirror and seeing excess skin and fat hanging from your waistline.
You’re tired of being embarrassed about how your clothes fit around your middle, especially if you have to wear a belt.
You feel self-conscious about wearing shorts, skirts and bathing suits because there’s too much bulging flesh for anyone to see your legs and feet anyway.
Pain. You may experience mild pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen and back, particularly if you’re breastfeeding. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), which can help control the discomfort.
Swelling and bruising. Swelling and bruising are normal after any surgery, but it will typically subside within two weeks. You can help minimize swelling by elevating your legs when sitting or lying down for several days after surgery. Avoid wearing tight clothing until the swelling goes down.
Itching. Your incision lines may itch as they heal, so keep them clean with soap and water every time you shower or bathe over the first week or two after surgery. If itching persists longer than that, contact your surgeon’s office for advice on how to treat it.