Can the tummy swelling drain on its own?

By Mary7311 on 10 May 2011

Hi there! I will be flying far away for my surgery and I only have two weeks to stay (in Texas) and then have to return to Canada. I've read some stories about ladies having to be drained due to swelling and I'm kind of concerned that after 14 days (I fly home the 16th), that I might still need a drain in.... I imagine that the swelling will need to reduce on its own by then...does this sound about right? Thank you!

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Arlington4468 6 Jun 2011

I wish someone would tell me these so I am gonna share it with you....
I know after 3 months it's all jolly but I won't forget my first drive to take the kids to school!!! Be prepared for some tough time, nights without sleep, I wouldn't say pain because there are lot of helps for pain( medicines) but the back pain was hell. lying on your butt all day and night makes your glutes flat and numb. And then comes weaning youself from pain medicine... expect headaches...
But all that said it's very helpful to know that you are in good hands and you have been operated with a skillfull surgen.

Irving7879 6 Jun 2011

Thanks so much for the info arlington44 . can u please send me few pre and post pics of yours if u dont mind . he is one of the doctors that i have contacted recently and if i am comfortable enough i could set a date.

Thanks again for the info

Arlington4468 6 Jun 2011

Frankly I don't have a preop picture! My PS has it. and I was gonna ask him to give me one when I go back. I never thought of posting my pics.I am not saying there's anything wrong with women who do that but I'm a private person. Let me think about it.... I just tell you that every case is different. I am a very small fit person and just hated the sagging skin on my stomach and I had no lipo done. Today I wore a bikini at the pool after 20 years and I loved it. It looks so good that I want stay in front of mirror all the time. But let me tell you that I had some taugh days.... I got my straight posture back in a month!which is kind of slow but I consider it as not being very big before surgery so my PS had to really pull it down!!!!

Irving7879 6 Jun 2011

I completely understand .no worries . I am 5'4 and around 118lbs .The only thing that worries me is my belly and it mostly skin . This is my first surgery in my whole life and i hope i can take the pain and stick with the process .Ofcourse once it is done there is no going back . I m definitely feeling guilty the more i think about it and hope that nothing bad happens . I have very reasonable expectations but i am more worried from health point of view . Just bcos i like a flat belly,i do not want to get lifelong sideeffects from that . Hope everything goes well .My surgery is scheduled for June 27th.

Also ,thanks so much for the info .

Arlington4468 6 Jun 2011

You sound like a very smart woman, And exactly my size. I had exactly the same concerns but I believe things happen for a reason. I wanted to get this done for about 10 years but never happened but that day when I met Dr. Hackney something told me inside that it will be allright! My husband who was always against it all of sudden changed 180 degrees... my kids got so cooperative.... and I can't tell you how everything just worked out for me . Dr. Hackeny's staff were a part of it too.
The only thing that I am sorry about is that I still haven't gotten my athletic power back but I know I will I feel it because i see the improvement everyday.

Arlington4468 6 Jun 2011

http://www.drhackney.net/
He did an awsome job for me. No drains. I got mine done on March 7th. It's 3 months now. My Recovery was very smooth but slow with no complication. He also likes to keep you overnight to be with a nurse, I loved this idea too because I didn't have any bff or mother in town.
It's getting better and better even after 3 months.
Good luck.

Arlington4468 2 Jun 2011

I had a TT with no drain method in Dallas TX. The technique is fairly new. My PS is one of the top surgerns in country. I loved the idea of having no drains. My PS also did some quilting methods to attach the abdominal wall back to the tissues underneath which I think was brilliant. May be that's what you should research for.

Irving7879 6 Jun 2011

can i know please know the details of your surgeon in dallas . I live in dallas area and looking to get a no drain tummy tuck done. Any info is helpful

ROPERDOPER 1 Jun 2011

HI EVERYONE I HAD FULL TUMMY TUCK SURGERY ON MAY 11 /11 NO LIPOSUCTION I'M 62YEARS OLD 5'6" 128LBS SM FRAME SURGERY 2 HRS LONG IN DULUTH AS OUT PATIENT FIRST 24 HRS DOPED-UP VERY LITTLE PAIN COULDN'T LAY DOWN SLEPT UP RIGHT IN CHAIR 2 DRAINS IN FOR 8 DAYS TOOK PAIN PILLS FOR FIRST 4 DAYS NOTHING AFTER THAT. 3 WEEKS FEELING GOOD FAIR AMT OF SWELLING.LOOKS GREAT.STILL HAVE TO TAKE IT EASY FIRST WEEK WALKED BENT OVER TILL SKIN STRETCHED BEEN STANDING NORMAL APPROX 2 WEEKS STILL WEARING ABD BINDER EXCEPT TO SHOWER THEN RIGHT BACK ON HAVE TO WEAR FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS TO KEEP ABD MUSCLES FROM STRETCHING I'LL KEEP YOU UP DATED BYE FOR NOW SHARON

farellajohn 16 May 2011

The reality is that liposuction and tummy tuck recovery is painful and involves serious down time. Besides pain and bruising, your body undergoes severe swelling as a reaction to the trauma of surgery. This swelling can last for weeks or even months, obscuring the results of your liposuction or tummy tuck.Contact only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify plastic surgeons. Dr. Farella specializes in cosmetic surgery, including facial rejuvenation and body contouring. Good Luck

hg.girl 11 May 2011

I too have to travel to another part of the province to have my procedure done! The clinic where I am going to get the tt done told me that I could go home (12 days later)with a drain as long as my Dr.'s office was o.k. with dealing with it.
I called a nurse at the local hospital and she said that she would be totally fine with helping me out when I get home.
My PS said that he generally takes them out anywhere from 3 days (usually too short) to 3 weeks (generally too long). So I'm hoping that I fall in between those days before I travel home!

Kimmers25 (Community Manager) 11 May 2011

The body can absorb a certain amount of fluid on its own. But you should have a back up plan for this situation when you get back home.

Talk to your doctor and get the plan in action before you leave to head back home. You will feel better about this if it is all worked out prior to surgery.

It may not even be an issue which would be wonderful.