Congratulations on your successful lifestyle changes and weight loss. Did you really lose 221 pounds in 1 year? That is impressive, and is even beyond what is often seen after bariatric weight loss surgical procedures.
Undergoing body contouring surgery after successful lifestyle changes and weight loss is often an optimal situation. I do encourage patients that are significantly overweight or are at their maximum weight to demonstrate progress toward weight loss before plastic surgery.
Back to your question--swelling in the areas you mentioned, lower back and lower abdomen, often does take longer to resolve after multiple procedures such as in your case.
I can't recommend post-operative soft-tissue massage therapy enough in your circumstances. Our experience with such therapy has been very rewarding, so much so that we've brought an experienced therapist into our office and include pre and postoperative massage for all of our patients.
In situations such as yours, we commonly have patients mobilize so much fluid in a single session of therapy that they need to stop to go to the bathroom.
Bottom line: Congratulations on your weight loss and surgery. You will likely be quite happy in reaching toward your goals as you heal. I'd suggest postoperative massage--ask your surgeon for a referral to a qualified therapist--it is well worth it.
Hope this helps.
