Abdomen Distended 27 Days After Mommy Makeover (Tummy Tuck with Lipo)

On July 20th (27 days ago) I had the mommy makeover consisting breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and lipo. My abdomen is distended still - not soft. If I walk too much, both the stomach and thighs expand/swell. If I sit in an upright position, they swell. Is it normal for the stomach to be distended after 27 days? I'm able to move around in the mornings and do small things but then I feel swollen in the abdomen and thighs usually in the afternoon and need to sit for the rest of the day.

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abdomen swelling female

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by 1703anon

Doctor Answers (7)
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Abdominal distention after a Mommy Makeover

I would recommend returing to your plastic surgeon to make sure that your healing process is going okay and that nothing is wrong with the insides of your belly.

4 wks post-op

At 4 weeks post-operative from a Mommy Makeover, it is quite common to have the symptoms you describe. Swelling can take a while to go away.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Persistent abdominal fullness after tummy tuck

From the limited view here, it appears your fullness in intraabdominal and not subcutaneous. Possible causes of this include fluid retention, constipation/bloating, poor muscle tone, ascites (rare), visceral adipose tissue deposits. Discuss these with your surgeon. Frequently, I find that this improves with diet, probiotics, ambulation, and core strengthening when permitted by your surgeon. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Swelling post tummy tuck surgery

Based on the photo and information you provided, it looks like you have significant swelling. At this point in time of your recovery, it is normal to have some swelling. However, if you feel that there may be fluid accumulation in the tissues, consult with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible.Otherwise, follow the post-op care instructions of your surgeon to avoid any complications such as, wearing your compression garment as much as possible, taking it easy, and staying hunched over... more

Distended abdomen after tummy tuck

At this juncture, you might have a fluid collection (seroma) or perhaps your muscles were not tightened enough. Better return to your surgeon.

Surgical aftercare

You should discuss these concerns with your surgeon as that is what you paid him/her for. You did not just pay for surgery. The aftercare was included. It sounds like swelling but you could be collecting seroma fluid under the flap etc. That is why aftercare is so important and is responsible for 50% or more of the end result in most cases.

Mommy makeover

From your description it sounds as if it is swelling. However were the muscles tightened? Are you wearing your compression garment? Discuss with your surgeon