How Long Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Swelling Last?

I had a tummy tuck about 3 weeks ago. How long should I expect the swelling to last?

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80 Doctor Answers | Asked by Paula Schadler

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+42

Swelling takes quite a while to resolve after any surgery

Quick answer: The majority of swelling resolves within 2 months, a small amount takes up to a year. A tummy tuck is a major procedure that requires "lifting up" your stomach skin (dividing lymphatic drainage vessels from under the skin surface), pulling it down to reset the tension of the skin, and then an excision to remove the excess. Basically, the skin from the scar up to your ribcage is in a new environment. It can only drain fluid "up" and to the sides. Until... more

+28

Swelling After Tummy Tuck

Most of the swelling is usually significantly diminished in about 2 months, though you will continue to see improvements for 6-12 months. The area right above the stitch line in the lower tummy will stay swollen longer, and will seem puffy long after the rest of your tummy is looking great. Expect the area above the stitch line to very slowly improve over 12 -18 months.

+18

How long does swelling last after a tummy tuck?

This is one of the most popular questions after an abdominoplasty. After a tummy tuck, you can look forward to a newer, more shapely you. Abdominoplasties are wonderful at removing fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and removing excess skin. Tummy tucks vary depending on the technique the surgeon used, whether or not they used liposuction, etc. When I perform a tummy tuck, liposuction is essential to give the patient the figure they want. Because of this, my patients have to wait for... more

Abdominal swelling after a tummy tuck"

We usually use the time of about 3 months to judge results with our patients. Still at that time there can be some degree of swelling that comes and goes, but that is small amount. At 3 weeks you will be reaching a point where swelling gets worse as the day goes on and is better in the morning. Sometimes the lower abdomen feels pretty firm late in the day. Of course everything varies with what your surgeon did. We do a lot of liposuction with our tummy... more

+16

There are 2 causes of swelling after a tummy tuck. One...

There are 2 causes of swelling after a tummy tuck. One is just the natural edema in the skin as a result of dividing the lymphatic channels to the skin as it is lifted off the muscles to accomplish the result. This goes away after 3-4 months. The other cause of swelling a person might have at 3 weeks postoperatively is called a "seroma" and is a collection of fluid between the skin and the muscles. This can feel like a waterbed and have a fluid wave across the lower abdomen. If... more

+13

Swelling after a tummy tuck

Thank you for your question. It is very common to get swollen in the lower abdomen after tummy tuck. There are a number of factors involved. In the early phase the abdomen may seem bloated because many of the narcotics used for pain can slow down the GI tract and cause bloating or constipation. This will generally resolve itself within a few weeks. In the second phase, the tissues above the lower abdominal scar become swollen because the scar tissue... more

+11

Abdominoplasty swelling

Swelling after abdominoplasty can be one of several things. Post-operatively things like ruptured suture plications can create bulges in the mid-line. These areas of swelling will not demonstrate a "fluid wave" (essentially being able to tap on one area of the swelling and seeing that tap transmitted through the swollen area... think bowl of jello). This swelling may be permanent and require surgical revision as it represents a bulge of muscle that is no long pulled as tightly as... more

+10

TUMMY TUCK SWELLING WILL LAST AT LEAST 12 WEEKS, ALL THE WHILE IMPROVING DURING THIS TIME FRAME

The swelling after a tummy tuck will last at least a good 3 months. The degree of swelling will vary depending on: the extent of the surgery the inclusion of liposuction the amount of physical activity you engage in post surgery your diet (salt content for example) and how often you wore your abdominal girdle / pressure garment. There will be visible improvements during these 3 months. The swelling will also persist beyond this time frame but... more

Postoperative swelling after tummy tuck

You are only 3 weeks after surgery. Don't worry, your swelling will get much better. I recommend my patients wear a binder or some form of compressive garment six weeks after surgery. The postoperative swelling takes about 6-8 weeks to resolve. This also depends on your compliance with compressive and activity level. It may take up to 3 months. Remember, healing is a process that takes time from any surgery.

Swelling after Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery can leave you with swelling for months. I usually tell my patients that the majority of the swelling will subside within 1 month but can take up to 5 months to completely go away before you can really appreciate your "final results." It is very normal to experience what you are describing and this should completely resolve. Just make sure you are still seeing your plastic surgeon regularly to evaluate and make sure you don't have any fluid... more