Is a Hot, Swollen Tummy and Fever Normal 2wks Post Full Tummy Tuck?

asked 11 months ago by RebeccaGavin in uk
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 365 times
Tags: 2 weeks post-op, fever, hot, infection, swelling

I am 2 wks post full tummy tuck and developed a fever. Have now been on atibiotics for 2 days. Today my tummy is hot and very swollen which it has not been previously. Is this normal?

9 answers to Is a Hot, Swollen Tummy and Fever Normal 2wks Post Full Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck

A fever is not normal 2 weeks after a TT. Immediately post op, first 24-48 hours, there is a small increase in temperature, which falls to normal after the initial shock of surgery. Two weeks later, I would be suspicious and assume you had an infection until proven otherwise. A blood count (CBC) and perhaps a few other tests would shed light on the matter.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Infection after tummy tuck

Swelling, local warmth, and fever are all consistent with an infection. If you are on oral antibiotics and things are getting worse, it is possible that the bacteria causing your infection are not sensitive to the antibiotic you are taking. If your infection is severe enough, you may need to be on IV antibiotics and perhaps even in the hospital. A severe infection can be life-threatening. If there is an abcess (pus collection), you will need to have surgery to drain... more

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You need to be seen NOW

A red, swollen, painful abdomen with a fever that has not responded to oral antibiotics two weeks after a TT is not merely a skin infection. You may have an abscess that needs to be drained. Dont'd delay. Call your PS and ask him/her where he/she would like to meet you: his office or the emergency room. Either way see someone in the next few hours,

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

A Hot, Swollen Tummy and Fever are NOT Normal 2wks Post Full Tummy Tuck

While fever after surgery is never normal it MAY be due to incomplete full breathing in the very early post-surgical period. However, new onset of fever more than a few days after the surgery should prompt your surgeon to look for a potential cause - ? urinary tract infection - ? infection of one of the arm veins caused by the IV - ? wound infection There is NO reason for you to be on antibiotics this far out after surgery. It sounds like you have a very serious infection under the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Is a Hot, Swollen Tummy and Fever Normal 2wks Post Full Tummy Tuck?

You have one of the few EMERGENCY situations in plastic surgery. GO immediately to the emergency room and call your PS. PLEASE

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Fever after tummy tuck

I would see your doctor very soon. It sounds like an infection. Your doctor should order some labs to determine how high your white blood cell count is (if high, this indicates a possible infection). Your doctor will be able to tell whether you have a more superficial infection (just on or around the skin) or a deeper infection such as an abscess. A fluid collection (or seroma) that accumulates after the drains are removed can become secondarily infected. An... more

Tiffany McCormack, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

Infection after a tummy tuck

A hot swollen tummy and a fever are not normal after a tummy tuck (or any other surgery for that matter). This is likely to be from a wound infection, possibly an infected haematoma (collection of blood clots from the surgery). If antibiotic does not help promptly, you may need a drainage/washout. Please contact your surgeon immediately.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Swollen with fever

No, this is not normal but can happen. The things that come to mind are deep infection(abscess), when someone mentions swelling with fever. Reddness plus not feeling right are common complaints that I have encountered. Antibiotics will treat superficial skin infection but will not treat an infected deep space. This usually needs a surgical procedure to remove any infected fluid and place a drain . I would routinely like to have Blood work... more