Tummy feels like a round, hard ball. Normal?

By gina42 on 14 Jun 2012

I'm 7days post-op TT w/lipo, I still have the 2 drains in but they have very little output (about 10cc each). I'm wearing a compression garment (stage 1) alternating with the binder (less comfortable). With the garment, it feels really, really tight. I'm walking about more, no heavy lifting or straining. My abdomen looks and feels like a round, hard ball...doesn't feel like most of it is swelling. I'm 5'2" 125# and this round abdomen is a lot bigger than the loose skin I had. Just don't know if it's normal. I have an appt. in 3 days. Feeling discouraged.

Comments (2)

gina42 19 Jun 2012

Thank you and to the docs who answered my question. I had an appointment the next day with my PS and he said it's completely normal! And sure enough the 'ball' starting shrinking....it was all firm swelling. Yes, you must be prepared for something other than a flat abdomen post-op! I wasn't clear on that before the surgery and when I saw post-op photos of others, I thought something must be wrong with me. I'm now 10 days post-op and happy that the swelling gets less day by day. I'm walking about 20 minutes a day, drinking lots of fluids, wearing my compression garment and just having faith that it's part of normal variable healing process!

Ronnie B 18 Jun 2012

Hi, the recovery time is really long. Nobody told me that it would be so lengthy and sometimes depressing. I'm 7 weeks post TT. I still have some swelling and fluids on my stomach. Not yet able to wear my regular slacks or jeans. You have to have ton's of patience because its a slow process. My Doc told me it could take anywhere for six to nine months for full results. I just signed up in this group to have someone to talk to. Hang in there because it can take a while to get back to the old you.