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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?
Asked 43 months ago by
Paula Schadler
+16
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...
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+15
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.
+11
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...
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+9
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...
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+8
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...
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+7
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...
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+6
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...
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+6
Post op tummy tuck expectations
Paula,
I include liposuction with about 80% of tummy tucks that I perform. This allows more contouring of the flanks. Following a tummy tuck without liposuction, I would guess that mild swelling may last for 2-3months. If Liposuction is included, this may be extended to 6 months.
+5
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...
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+5
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.
+4
Post Operative Care After an Abdominoplasty
Usually one can have swelling persist for a month to 6 weeks or longer depending on what type of procedure was done. If there was Rectus muscle tightening and/or plication, and/or liposuction done concomitantly there may be prolonged swelling. I usually tell my patients that it can take up to 3 months to see the final result especially if they had associative liposuction.
+4
Tummy Tuck results worth the recovery time!
Dear Paula,
A tummy tuck is a fairly big operation, on a large surface area, so the swelling encompasses your whole mid-section for many weeks. but be a pateint patient, because the trade-off of getting rid of the loose skin and strecthc marks is worth it. Everyone is different, but I would anticipate the swelling to get a lot better in the next 4-6 weeks.
+4
Swelling After Tummy Tuck Can take Time To Resolve
Swelling is a normal part of big surgeries like tummy tuck, liposuction, or body lift. In general, the longer and more involved the surgery, the more swelling.
Swelling varies widely from person to person, and in some cases may be under good control in a month. Others may take 6 months before it is gone, and still others will show evidence even a year later.
Swelling can be helped by wearing properly fitted garment, avoiding prolonged sitting, and watching your sodium intake. Understanding...
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+4
Depends upon whether or not you had liposuction with your TT.
Hello,Swelling after a tummy tuck surgery usually takes 3-6 months to resolve. If you had liposuction as well it might take a month or two longer. Pressure garments can make patients more comfortable and help the swelling along a bit at least in my opinion. Different docs will vary on this recommendation however.
+4
Length of swelling after a tummy tuck
Swelling after a tummy tuck really depends on the extent of the procedure (mini versus full) as well as the length of the incision, and the amount of associated liposuction.
However, in general, it is not uncommon for paitents to remain swollen for a minimum of two months before they report significant decrease in the edema and improvements with decreased clothing sizes.
+3
Swelling after a tummy tuck
Swelling can often feel like it is taking longer than it should to resolve. Remember, a tummy tuck is a rapid alteration in your body shape by way of an operation. Simply put, body circulation and fluid shifting is rerouted in a way your body now has to accommodate. Some people adapt very quickly but most adapt very slowly. It can seem like forever but it is not. As the months pass, swelling passes. I don't tell my patients, it will take months. I tell them in terms of seasons which most...
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+3
Tummy Tuck and Swelling
When it comes to recovery,every patient is different. I see a significant decrease in the swelling at about 6 weeks however it can takes months for all of the swelling to resolve. The compression garment will help resolve the swelling so be sure to follow your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's orders.
+3
Some swelling last for a long time
I typically see some swelling after an abdominoplasty for two to three months. The vast majority of it though passes in the first three to four weeks especially over the belly button. I am a strong believer in compression garments like girdles and binders to minimize swelling and the discomfort it causes. I believe religious use of compression wear gets you to your near final form the quickest.
+3
Swelling resolves after tummy tuck
Resolution of swelling following tummy tuck surgery varies. Most goes down in the first 2-3 months but I have seen continued improvement even after 6 months, especially when a large amount of liposuction was done.
+3
Swelling after tummy tuck
Depending on the extent of your tummy tuck and how much liposuction was done at the same time, you can expect your swelling to last anywhere from 3-6 months. It will gradually improve, and you will find that you have "good days and bad days" with the swelling. Pay attention to the salt in your diet, as increased sodium will increase fluid retention and make your swelling worse.
+2
Swelling after a tummy tuck
In general swelling after a tummy tuck can take 3 months to settle. 95% of the swelling should be gone by four weeks. If swelling persists for a prolonged time, you may have a seroma (fluid collection) or the abdomen may be protruding and making it look swollen.
Sincerely,
Martin Jugenburg, MD
+2
The majority of swelling has diminished by 6 weeks
It can take up to 6 months for all the healing to stabilize, but by about 3 months you should see what your tummy tuck will look like.
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
Tummy tuck and swelling
Most patients will have significant swelling in the first two weeks but most of that will resolve after 6 weeks. The last 10% or so of the swelling, which is not really visible, will take about 6 months to resolve. At 6 weeks post-op, however, patients will have a very good idea of the final results and can resume almost all activities.
+2
Swelling after tummy tuck
Swelling is common after surgery, but any excessive swelling should be noted and your doctor should be notified. It is expected that you would have swelling at 3 weeks post op. I have my patients wear a compression garment and or binder for 6 weeks after a tummy tuck. Wearing a compression garment should help you feel better and should help minimize the swelling. Your body will eventually reabsorb the swelling, but this can take months.
+2
Tumy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery swelling
All body and facial shaping surgery is associated with post-operative swelling. The duration of NOTICEABLE swelling depends on the area of surgery, the extent of undermining (IE how much was lifted and separated to allow the surgery) and what if any other procedures were done (such as Liposuction).
Noticeable swelling after a Tummy tuck lasts approximately 6-8 weeks. At that time it begins to rapidly subside and the tissues soften. But the underlying healing continues for 6-8 months.
Dr. P....
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