I am 17 weeks out from having a TT but I'm still so swollen. Is this normal?

By Kelly in GA on 13 Jun 2011

I had a TT 17 weeks (4 months) ago. I'm curious to see if anyone else out there had a lot of swelling this far out. I know they say it takes 6 months to 2 years for the swelling to go away but I feel like my tummy is still so big with a lot of loose skin. My thoughts of having a TT is that your stomach is really super tight and flat to where you don't have to suck in your tummy to have it flat. Am I wrong?? I was a size 12 before surgery and I'm now just a size 10. :-( I also had lipo in my thighs which I can see a big difference but I though I would go down at least a couple of clothes sizes. Does anyone have any advice?? I go back to my Dr. tomorrow. I sure hope he has some answers for me other than to just give it more time.

Comments (12)

Sort by

Midtown 612 10 May 2013

Midtown 612 I am 16 weeks post op a tummy tuck with muscle repair, and my upper abdomen is swollen and very sore. Can anyone let me know if my upper abdomen should still be swollen at 16 weeks, and if my muscles should still be as sore? Help!!!!!

jeanjeana 27 Jun 2012

I am 16 weeks post op Tt with muscle repair . I have a buldge below my belly button above the incision line it won't seem to go away . it's hard and when I press on it makes the skin lye flat. I'm really getting discouraged because I thought I was gonna have a flat tummy. I love the upper portion of my belly , but the bottom is still so big. is this normal ? I'm going out of my mind because I had my surgery outside in a different country. my scar is clearing up , but I feel like I still have a tire below the belly button . I don't see any chances of his going away anytime soon. and if it does I'm going to have a lot of loose skin. does anyone have any advice for me? Going loca!

kwr423 5 Jul 2011

I'm at 14 weeks post op and still experiences swelling in the afternoon just like you all this is a very slow process. Hang in there I'm right there with you guys!

Dub inTN 28 Jun 2011

I am 6 weeks out so of course still lots of swelling, my Dr recommended LIPOINABOX, best purchase in the world! It is very high wasted undergarment that keeps you compressed and comfortable!

Kelly in GA 20 Jun 2011

I wonder why it would make it worse???

beaks.1 19 Jun 2011

I dont wear it anymore but im thinking of wearing it on my bad swell days, like today I seriously look at 5 months pregnant and it's starting to hurt so I may wear it only wwhen the swelling is so bad that my belly hurts. My PS said at this point wearing a compresiion garment could make the swelling worse.

Kelly in GA 18 Jun 2011

Wow!!! Good for you!! I bet the swelling goes down because I don't think many doctors would say they will do a revision for free. Keep us posted of your swelling. Oh yea, do you still wear your compression garment and if so how many hours a day? I wear mine at night to sleep and sometimes during the day depending on what I'm doing. I call it my "Home Depot" belt. Haha! ;-)

beaks.1 17 Jun 2011

I also saw my Dr today and he says he see's my concerns but could still be swelling and my tummy will continue to change over the next 3 months. He also assured me that if my results are the same in 3 months that he will do a revision for me to make me flatter and tighter, for FREE :) love my Dr :)

Kelly in GA 17 Jun 2011

Well I went back to my Dr and he said that I still have a lot of swelling which is totally normal for this amount of time after the surgery. Also he said be patient and continue to exercise and eat healthy and I will see the results I'm looking for soon. Uugghh. I guess I did anticipate that it would take this long. So we all need to stay positive and keep eating right and exercising. I try to walk 2 miles 3-4 times a week while using 3lb weighs in my hands and I've notice a Hugh difference in my arms. They are getting so tone. Good luck to everyone and I hope we all get the results we are looking for.

beaks.1 16 Jun 2011

I am 15 weeks post op and feel the exact way you do, I am at my flattest in the morning but even then my tummy is still round and puffy, I feel like I payed $7,400 for nothing or at leat a half assed job. I see my PS on Friday June 16th but feel a bit uncofortable questioning his work. He is board certified after all SIGH..... Please let us know what your PS says and if I get the courage to ask I will give my PS answer too.

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 14 Jun 2011

Kelly just give it some more time. I had swelling way into my 7th month post op. I also did not notice a drastic change in my clothing size until months 6-7.

You will get there in time. I continued to notice changes in my body for up to the first year. Stay on a really healthy diet and try to do some exercise (walking etc).

Arlington4468 14 Jun 2011

Hi Kelly. I am in my week 14 postop. I hear you. In mornings I am o.k. later after lunch time swelling creeps up. I tried lying down, it doesn't help much. At night I am very uncomfortable. Can you tell us what your doctor said? I'm thinking to schedule a visit.