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Swelling upper abdomen

By Brina1234 on 24 Feb 2011

I had my tt and br on February 3. I went back to work part time at my desk only the following Friday. I am not having any pain per say just that upper belly is very swollen. I keep reading that it's normal can any of you who have experienced this tell me how long this swelling at the top usually lasts? Thanks

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Butterfly74 25 Feb 2011
Hi Brina, I am having severe swelling too and am told it's normal. My surgery was almost the same day as yours and I applaud you for going back to work so soon. I am sure all that moving around makes you swell more. I am going back next week and cannot fit in my suits from before surgery. I am petrified as I still hurt and really am in the regret stage right now. I am told all this is normal, including "swell hell" and it can take months to get to where you will land....chin up. We will be OK.
sms 19 Dec 2011
I had mine in 2008 and it is still swollen I am still waiting for mine to go down, they said it is normal but I dont think it is at all. Sometimes it swells more than others, I dont understand at all why it is like that at all. Tummy Tuck.
spinmama 25 Feb 2011
Yes I actually have a huge bulge up top. After surgery the binder pushed the blood up so it couldnt release and they took the garment off completely. It is horrible...and slowly going down. That was the part of my stomach I hated the most so was so upset to see this bulge after. My ps did say that he got my waist so small the swelling looks even more so. I hope he's not just being nice. But just so you know your not the only one with an upper ab bulge. Its stinks but will go down in time.
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 26 Feb 2011

I had a bulge on top for about 3 months.  It goes down..
Country Gal 26 Feb 2011
I have no bulging on top. The nurse told me to keep my binder snug and high, close to the bra, so there was no bulging above it. She said that pushing the skin up there can create a ridge that is hard to get rid of; so I'm very careful to keep it from getting pouchy above the binder.

The swelling I have is on the hips and pubic area, and they say that gravity will cause that, as well as the fact it is not bound, but it will recede.
cchad7 27 Feb 2011
Brina, that's exactly where I am having trouble. My dr tells me it's normal but I'm 6 weeks and it is only getting more swollen and painful. It feels like there is a grapefruit in there and now it's really hard to the touch. Every nerve in my body is screaming that something is wrong but i just keep being told that the swelling is normal. It is helpful knowing that I am not the only one.
spinmama 17 Mar 2011
Cchad...how is your swelling now? My upper body bulge seems harder and painful now too. I see ps tomorrow, he better have something good to say, cause right now I dont like him much
mail lady 15 Oct 2011
"Swell hell" starts about this time post-op but continues for months for a lot of us. Nothing to do but wait it out. Don't stress it more by overdoing! Doing any one thing for long periods of time is counter productive and for gosh sake, don't gain any weight! Lots of water and no food with a lot of sodium. I stand on my feet for 10 hours a day and can't wait to lay down. By morning, flat and feeling good until about 10 am, then it starts again. This too will pass. Hang in there girls!
Brina1234 17 Mar 2011
I had my surgery on Feb 3. In general feel awesome, still lots of swelling on top, it looks kinda strange to me flat on bottom at and below naval and puffy on top. How long ...honestly... will this last? I am ready for my flat tummy! Also, still have not lost weight, I weigh the same as the day of surgery and they took 14lbs off and out. Any ideas from those who have been here?
Country Gal 17 Mar 2011
I was Feb 2. I have minimal swelling on upper ab, and still puffy below the navel. Usually it's okay in the morning, but swells later on. I still have lingering inflammation where the old belly button joins the incision, but that's clearing up, and hopefully will improve some of the lower swelling.

The PS said he took off about 4 to 6 lbs, and I weigh 14 lbs. less than going in. I lost quite a bit early on, because I was only drinking fluids for a few days, then eating very lightly after that. I've been steady for about 2 weeks, so hope I stay there or go down.

I haven't started exercising yet, and the PS said I would likely GAIN weight after the surgery, so you're okay. He said when all you do is sit around and eat for several weeks, ladies often gain, and lose it again once they start exercising.
spinmama 17 Mar 2011
Yes Ive gained weight...no the swelling isnt going down, yes my waist is actually 2 inches bigger than before I went it, yes my lower belly bulge is bigger than when I went in(its just hard instead of soft now) yes Im sick of this, yes Im wondering why the hell I ever did this, and YES Im very jealous of all of you with flat beautiful stomachs and gorgeous huge boobs..what the heck is wrong with me???
Country Gal 18 Mar 2011
Spin, have you seen your PS lately?

I'm sorry you're going through this. I don't have a beautiful flat tummy, so don't be jealous of me! I have redness and some inflammation along my incision, and some infection right in the middle. It is slowly clearing up, and I don't have to take anything for it. But, my lower ab DOES swell and look a bit pouchy if I don't wear my binder - well, even if I do, by the end of the day.
Brina1234 18 Mar 2011
Ok so am I the only one with the upper belly bulge going on? Several people have lower belly swelling How about upper
Butterfly74 18 Mar 2011
Mine is all upper as well....lower is great. Upper is awful.
cchad7 18 Mar 2011
Brina, all mine is upper. I look like a freak and it get worse every week. I see my ps on monday and pray I get some answers and satisfaction. Nothing fits, I am miserable and this is the worst decision I have ever made. I am in constant pain and I am sooo sick of this. I am 9.2 weeks. Everyone is different. Some are very happy with their results, I just don't happen to have been lucky. I don't see your pics. Did you post any?
LI-LEE 10 Apr 2011
U dnt look like no freak. It will get better and time. Plze dnt feel like dat. Somebody asked me was i having a baby 2day. I am had my surgery on 2-24-11. i do u think dat made me feel? U r i got sad on point. I am going 2 try 2 keep thinking positive. I wnt u 2 try the same thing plze. We have 2 stick 2gether here.
3boys 1princess 10 Apr 2011
You are not alone.
Mine is upper too. I have a bulge above the navel. After the surgery the nurses actually called the doc out of another surgery to question him about my bulge. He said it was deep sutures and the bulge is totally normal. It is by far my biggest albeit, earliest complaint. It is said to go down and totally smooth out. I am only 2 weeks out so I am going to give it a LOOONNG time to go down, however, that is not easy to do, want flatness now... have to be patient... not one of my strong qualities...
mail lady 21 Sep 2011
Hi cchad7. My tt was done Aug. 5th 2010. I still swell by the end of the day although it is less and less as the months go by. My weight is almost the same maybe a reduction of about 10 lbs. Tummy still very tight and hard even though I massage every morning and evening with palmer's lotion. Vvj still a little bigger than I like but all in all I am glad I treated myself with this procedure. Stomach flat and almost stretch mark free. Clothes fit so much better but dropped only one size. The swelling will stop one day and is more of an annoyance now. No pain unless something bumps me near the belly button. Some discomfort when my obgyn palpitates my abdomen during an exam. Ladies, complete healing will take time. Be patient, watch what you eat (sodium, fast food a no-no) and maintain a positive attitude. I would never want that ugly stomach back! I'm 61 and wear a bikini which is something I would not do since I was 26 until now! Hang in there Ya'll!
New Lebanon 20 Nov 2011
I had tt on june 14 2011 i am still havein upper abd swelling.By the end of the day i look 7 months preg.I am bigger in the waist than before. I would also like to know whats going on?
Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 20 Nov 2011

My body did the same thing for the first seven months post op.  Some just have the swelling hang on longer than others.

Newloook 15 Dec 2011
3boys &1princess...
Its now 7 days post tt.. Iam starting the same symptoms u have plus a disturbing pain above the naval...my ps is out of twon to make things even wosre!!
Did ur condition improved by now !?
Butterfly74 18 Mar 2011
Hi Spin,
I am in the same situation. My belly is bigger than when I went in. It's hard now, vs soft at the beginning (I am told it is skin necrosis which is normal and will soften), I do not have the flat beautiful stomachs we see online. I am in the regret stage almost 2 months out. I still have swelling, pain, and am wondering why I did this. You are not alone. I will say nothing is wrong with you as there are others. Private message me if you want to chat.
LI-LEE 18 Apr 2011
Yes, i wnt 2 chat. I called my dr 2day i very unhappy with this stomach. 2 me it look like the old 1 is coming bck. Waiting 4 him 2 call me bck 2morr.
spinmama 18 Apr 2011
Hey Li-LEE Im curious about what your dr said. I kind of feel the same...the old roll of fat on my upper abs coming back. My bulge is bigger and hurts. I want to know what the heck is going on. Its very obvious even in clothes how swollen my upper belly is. I hate it!! Would love to hear what other ps are telling you and what their options are.
spinmama 18 Apr 2011
Butterfly....how are you doing? Its nice to know Im not the only one hating my outcome. Just curious if your swelling is any better?

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