Thread: Breast Reduction & Tummy Tuck gone BAD!!

I am looking for help with anyone who may have had either a breast reduction or tummy tuck and had problems.

I had both 1 year ago and no doctor can tell me what happen, what caused it, nothing.

Shortly after my surgery the tissue started to die and began eating the surrounding tissue. I finally went for another consulation and was placed in the hospital and immediately was taken to surgery.

I had to be debrided 12 times and lost the nipples. They are extremely painful.

The biggest problem is my stomach. Has anyone had bloating, tenderness, incrediable tightness, (For those of you who have been pregant can understand) it feels like being 9 months with a big baby trying to turn, but constantly.

If anyone can answer or share info I would greatly appreciate it. I have seen so many doctors and no one can give me answers. I am searching everywhere for help.

Thanks - MTJ

I am sorry, that you are going through this...it isn't easy...I hope that someone can offer you some experience...

Unfortunately, I can't offer advice, but I can tell you I'm having some of the same symptoms. April 17th will be a year for me. I live in FL, but I had the tummy tuck in Los Angeles, so I haven't seen my doctor since 3 weeks after the surgery. I am still swollen-way more on my right side than my left-and the tightness gets worse as the day goes on. No tenderness as I'm still numb everywhere, but I get places where I itch that are deep inside my skin where I obviously can't reach. I went to a local doctor who said I had a stitch come loose in the front below my belly button where there is now a hard spot about an inch wide and 2 inches long. I just don't know what to do now.

i know exactly what u r going through. i had a breast reduction in june of 07. i also got a horrible infection that caused my skin to pretty much just start eating itself. my doctor didnt admit me though he just starting making excuses right away saying he didnt di anything wrong & that it was my fault when i did EVERYTHING he told me to! its been 9mths. & im still not healed i went to the e.r. a week ago & they had to cut off a scab that was hanging on by an inside stitch(VERY PAINFUL)!! if u read this PLEASE contact me my e-mail address is~ tasha.segrestyahoo.com!! good luck with yours!!

I saw an episode of "Mystery Diagnosis" that sounds a little like this. The woman had Necrotizing Fasciitis. You might want to look into this, as it is extremely serious.

First of all, I am so sorry!! I saw something on tv about a woman who had a tummy tuck and this happened to her, they said it was bc her dr pulled her skin too tight and it wouldnt stretch so somehow it started to pullaway from the stitches and rott basically. Again, I am sorry to hear about this.

Originally Posted by mtj

I am looking for help with anyone who may have had either a breast reduction or tummy tuck and had problems.

I had both 1 year ago and no doctor can tell me what happen, what caused it, nothing.

Shortly after my surgery the tissue started to die and began eating the surrounding tissue. I finally went for another consulation and was placed in the hospital and immediately was taken to surgery.

I had to be debrided 12 times and lost the nipples. They are extremely painful.

The biggest problem is my stomach. Has anyone had bloating, tenderness, incrediable tightness, (For those of you who have been pregant can understand) it feels like being 9 months with a big baby trying to turn, but constantly.

If anyone can answer or share info I would greatly appreciate it. I have seen so many doctors and no one can give me answers. I am searching everywhere for help.

Thanks - MTJ

The best advice can only be given to you by a surgeon. Schedule a consultation with another doctor that charges for the consultation and see what he/she has to say about it. Sign a release and get your surgery reports as well.

I have had a few elective surgeries - breast lift/implants, tummy tuck, lipo and Brazilian. I have had no problems with any of my surgeries. However, I also did endermology after as well as used vitamin e and other recommended supplements on my skin religiously and still do.

I'm sorry you are having so many problems and hopefully you can get some answers.

To TBS and tcastell, sorry it has taken me a while to get back to this. I checked for a while but no one was responding. I just happen to be researching for doctors out of state and found this again. I hope you are still checking. TBS I tries e-mailing you but it told me incorrect address. If you wish to stil contact me, my e-mail is ttgbcox .

To tcastell, do you still have the problems with the hardness in your stomach?

I am now 1 1/2 years out from this and am still dealing with issues and pain. One of my doctors finally set me to physcial therapy because he did not know what to do anymore. In one year I have gained 20 pounds, my stomach is a hard as a rock, I can not even wear my ring because my fingers get so swollen. Most recent they found 5 lumps under my left arm.
This has been the worst roller coaster ride I have ever been on.

The only good thing is by sending me to therapy someone has finally understood what I am trying to explain. They seem to think that I have lymphodema, since I had the tummy tuck the wall of the incesion and all the scar tissue has blocked the flow of fluids. This causes the fluid to back up into the lymphnodes and causes the swelling.

Nothing has changed, nothing has gotten better, it just keeps getting worse. AS far as the hardness by the bellybutton, one doctor says it maybe the way the surgeron stitched the muscles, If they overlap. They may have to go back in and redo the tummy tuck, undo the stitches and stitch up again.

If anyone is thinking about having anything like this done, please think long and hard about it.

Hope to hear from you soon.