Pubic swelling may be normal, but have it checked

Increased swelling in the the lower areas of your surgery, specifically in your case, the pubic area, is very common.

The swelling or fluid at the pubic area may take longer to resolve  in this area because it is the lowest  or most dependent area of your surgery. You should schedule a follow up appointment with your surgeon to discuss this to ensure that there is no collection of fluid in this particular area and also will give you a chance to discuss your conerns.

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Changes to the pubic area after a tummy tuck are common. There is always some elevation of the area due to the tension placed on the incision from removal of excess skin to make your abdomen tighter. The scar has to be placed in a way to account for that elevation to minimize visibility of your pubic hairline after the surgery. If that can't be done, then discussing that preoperatively is helpful. It also depends on the type of underwear you are wearing. Different styles may cover the scar and hairline better. Some patients like the elevation of the pubic area as before surgery they have sagging in that area that they would like corrected. Discuss this with your surgeon and the explanation of the scar placement will reassure you. As for the swelling of the area - this may take longer to resolve and should happen with time. Review your before photos with your surgeon and discuss whether liposuction of the area is an option if it is not swelling and just localized fatty deposit as some patients have - and it has just become more noticeable due to the elevation your are seeing. The best thing to do is discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

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This is very common and seen in nearly all patients.

If you are very active during the day it can become worse. This is due to the fact that it is the lowest part of your surgery and all the swelling settles there.

However, the other physicians comments about a full pubis are also true and if this persists after several months you may want to consider liposuction or surgical reduction known as a monsplasty which may be able to adjust the height of the incision.

I want to clarify one point which seems to be ignored. It is clear that the benefits of a low incisions are desireable from a cosmetic standpoint. However there are limitiations due to the umbilicus and not everybody can have a low incision without an additional scar.

• If the scar is put too low than the hole where the belly button was will not be able to be excised and this will leave the patient with a potentially visible vertical scar between the new belly button and the horizontal scar.
• When I discuss this option with patients they prefer a slightly higher pubic scar to avoid the vertical lower abdominal scar.

Hope this helps! 

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