Edema Following Tummy Tuck

I had a Full TT Oct 2010. Healing went great, had no problems at all. Mid Nov I began to notice I was holding fluid all over my body..maybe edema? My PS gave me water pills to take once per day. No results. When I asked for more she refused, and said that the surgery had nothing to do with the water retension,and to cut back on my salt intake.

I have been, and still holding maybe 20-25 lbs of water. I'm puffy, bloated and my hands hurt. Did surgery effect my lymph glands?? What to do now?

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hands lymph node edema puffiness female bloating causes options water retention

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by 7942anon in Tennessee

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20-25 lbs water retention 7 months following tummy tuck has other medical cause.

Your tummy tuck was in October, 2010, and by your own admission, "went great." Although generalized edema after any kind of surgical procedure can be seen (it's called "third-spacing"), 20-25 lbs is an extreme amount, and it is now 7 months post-op. Surgery-related causes should now be resolved, and the fluid gone from this cause. Any lymphatic injury related to your tummy tuck would affect swelling only near your incision and in your abdominal tissues, not your... more

Water retention after tummy tuck

You must look seriously for a medical cause for 20 to 25 pounds of water retention. It does not occur as a result of a tummy tuck but can be related to kidney, liver, or thyroid problems etc. An internal medicine doctor would the the right person to see.

20-25 pounds of water retention is not from your tummy tuck.

There is no reason why a tummy tuck will cause you to have widespread body edema (anasarca). Localized swelling in the abdominal flap or in the pubic area is common, but persistent swelling in your hands and feet indicates an issue with your salt balance, kidney status, or heart function. I recommend a thorough history and physical examination with your internist to evaluate for more common causes of body edema. Best of luck.

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Edema after tummy tuck

Tummy tuck did not affect your lymph glands or cause water retention. Limiting salt intake is certainly good advice, however you should pay a visit to your primary care physician for a complete exam. Swelling in the abdomen for several weeks is common, and even some swelling in the feet and ankles with fluids from surgery and inactivity for several days. Bloating or whole body water retention is not the norm after tummy tuck. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Fluid retention after tummy tuck

Mild to moderate swelling of the abdominal area is usual for about 6 to 8 months. You need to see your family doctor to find out why you are retaining fluid. A tummy tuck this far out should not cause fluid retention.