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How to Fix a Side of Lower Ab That's Sticking out After Tummy Tuck?
There are several issues. First - if you are less than three months post-op you should give things additional time to settle down. Swelling in the lower part of the abdomen is usually the last to leave. You don't want to have a procedure to fix something that will get better on its own. If you are more than three to six months out and there are areas of asymmetry, it may have to do with incomplete plication of the lower rectus fascia or a ruptured suture. If the bulge your bothered by is caused by subcutaneous fat some targeted liposuction may improve the situation. You should defintely have a serious conversation with your treating plastic surgeon to discuss pre-op goals and how close you've come to achieving them. You may also want to consider an exam and consultation with another board-certified plastic surgeon.
Clinical Context
Lower abdominal fullness after a tummy tuck can have several causes: residual swelling, a small separation in the muscle repair, or fatty tissue that wasn't fully addressed during surgery. Swelling is common in the lower abdomen and often takes longer to resolve than swelling elsewhere, sometimes unevenly from side to side. If firmness or bulging persists well beyond the early recovery period, it's worth having your surgeon examine the area to determine whether the cause is structural or related to fat, since the treatment options differ.
