I had a tummy tuck 10 weeks ago and I feel great.  However, around the belly button area my stomach sticks out, almost making me look like I am pregnant.  I'm still wearing the band but it doesn't seem to help.  I went to the surgeon and he said I was still healing from the surgery.  I'm experiencing no pain, however I still look like I'm pregnant.  Help!

It is possible that you have developed a seroma, hernia or other condition.  Suggest these conditions to your surgeon.  If no action is taken, consider seeing your Family Practitioner or Internal Medicine physician.  An ultrasound or CT scan could help diagnosis such post operative conditions. 

Best,

Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS

Of course a picture of before and after would be helpful in this situation.  I have had patients who have scarring around the umbilical area from multiple laparoscopic procedures and have more prominent belly buttons.  Did you have a plication to tighten your abdomen?

During a typical tummy tuck the abdominal (six pack) muscles are tightened.  Because of this, patients are often restricted from abdominal exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to allow healing.  You may benefit from starting to do abdominal wall exercises to tone these muscles that may be relaxed from the period of restrictions.  Also, often the naval area can retain some swelling for several weeks to a couple of months after surgery that will resolve over time.  

In my experience, it is not normal for this to happen.  As mentioned, there can be many reasons and you should follow up with your surgeon about your concerns.  "Sticking out" can mean many things so your surgeon will need to hear your concerns before he/she can come up with a plan to address it.  Regardless, it should not be a permanent problem for you as long as you are willing to undergo revisions.

By this time, you should have gone through the first stage of the healing process.  One may wonder if during your abdominoplasty, your abdominal muscles were adequately repaired/approximated or not.  This can be tested by a "leg raising test" or getting imaging information in a standing position.  I hope this will help you.  I am certain your board certified plastic surgeon can make this assessment for you.

F. Mahjouri, M.D., F.A.C.S.  www.mahjouricosmeticsurgery.com  

In my experience it is not normal for a patient's abdomen around the belly button to stick out or protrude like they are pregnant 10 weeks after surgery.  There are several  possibilities.  A hematoma (blood collection) or seroma (fluid collection), umbilical hernia, or a protuberant abdomen from intra abdominal fat all come to mind.  Your surgeon should evaluate you and make a definite diagnosis as to the cause of your problem.