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How Long Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Swelling Last?
asked 3 years ago by Paula Schadler
Latest answer by Raj S. Ambay, MD
Question viewed 133,953 times
Tags: sagging, 3 weeks post-op, recovery, swelling
I had a tummy tuck about 3 weeks ago. How long should I expect the swelling to last?
45 answers to How Long Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Swelling Last?
+24
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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Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+18
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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+11
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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+9
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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+8
Swelling after a Tummy Tuck
The swelling after a tummy tuck resolves slowly over a three months. If you had liposuction at the same time it may be a bit longer recovery. The reason for this is that during a full tummy tuck the skin is lifted off of your muscle and the lymphatic drainage channels are disrupted. The only way for fluid to drain from the tissues is laterally. The more extensive your tummy tuck or the addition of other procedures such as liposuction the longer the swelling persists....
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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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Byron D. Poindexter, MD
Reston Plastic Surgeon
Reston Plastic Surgeon
+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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Carlos Cordoba, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+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.
Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+5
Tummy Tuck Swelling
Unfortunately swelling after a tummy tuck can linger weeks and months and there is not much you can do about it but just let the body take care of it. Do make sure you don't have a seroma which needs to be aspirated. You have to see your surgeon to know that. As other surgeons have written, the worst swelling is usually done by about 6 - 8 weeks.
+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
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.
Anne Taylor, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+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
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...
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+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 2-4 months to resolve. If you had liposuction as well it might take up to twice as long. Pressure garments can make patients more comfortable and help control the swelling a bit at least in my opinion. Different docs will vary on this recommendation however.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
see video
+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.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+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
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.
Arie Benchetrit, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+3
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.
+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.
Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+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.
Mario Loomis, MD
Middletown Plastic Surgeon
Middletown Plastic Surgeon
+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.
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+3
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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+2
Swelling may last up to three months
Most of the swelling from tummy tuck surgery goes away in three to six weeks. However, there may be residual swelling for as long as three to six months after tummy tuck. Wearing compression garments do help get rid of swelling faster. If your swelling persists for longer, you may have a seroma that needs to be drained or excess fat that should respond to liposuction.
see video
+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.
Dev Wali, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
Abdominoplasty Swelling Takes At Least 3 Months To Resolve
In most patients,the swelling from a full abdominoplasty can take three-four months to resolve. It is not unsual to go through various cycles of swelling and resolution in that 3-4 month range, especially as you become more active again. I hope this helps.
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD
Barrington Plastic Surgeon
Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+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
Swelling is very individualized. The more involved the...
Swelling is very individualized. The more involved the procedure, the more there will be swelling. But in general, the majority of swelling will go down after 3-6 weeks. However, you might notice swelling for 4-6 months. This may be exacerbated by exercise, diet, alcohol consumption, to...
+1
Tummy Tuck Swelling
Barring no seromas or blood collectins, a majority of swelling subsides in 2-3 months. Final results in 6-9 months. There is no defintive timeline as it is individualized.
Raj S. Ambay, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1
Swelling after tummy tuck
Tummy tuck swelling will improve every week over many months. By 6 weeks you will have achieved 75% of your final appearance. By this time your result will look very nice and you should be able to go on holiday and be happy with your appearance. However the final final result will take a year. But until then you will look better every day.
+1
Swelling after Tummy Tuck
The majority of your swelling after a Tummy Tuck resolves 6-8 weeks post surgery, however, you will continue to notice changes in swelling, overal body contouring and scar healing for up to one year.
+1
Swelling will resolve
Swelling and edema of the tissue of the abdomen is very common after tummy tuck surgery. If significant liposuction of the abdomen was also done, the swelling will take longer to resolve. I find it helpful to have my patients wear a body shaper garment for about six weeks after surgery to aid in the resolution of swelling. In most patients swelling be gone by two to three months post operatively. Localized swelling in the early post operative period may be a sign of fluid collection and is...
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Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1
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
+1
Swelling after tummy tuck
It is normal to have swelling after tummy tuck. Although you should have seen some amount of swelling subside for the past 3 weeks, it will take at least 6-8 weeks to have your final swelling to subside. Depending on whether you also got liposuction and whether you have been wearing a compression garment, it may take a little longer to subside. Be patient. It is a process.
+1
Tummy Tuck, Abdominoplasty,liposuction
Please give it about 2 months. This is a gradual process. The incision will take about 1 year to look great. A tummy tuck has a very high patient satisfaction rate but the recovery is one of the most difficult.
see video
+1
Swelling after Tummy Tuck
Patients can have swelling after a tummy tuck for 4-6 weeks after a tummy tuck procedures and can be a little longer if significant liposuction is performed during the abdominoplasty.
Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1
Swelling after tummy tuck
Typically swelling after a tummy tuck lasts for about 6 weeks. Be sure to wear your compression garment for the entire 6 week recovery period. This is very important to help reduce swelling.
+1
Tummy tuck swelling
Swelling after any surgical procedure can last up to 6 weeks. At this stage, about 90 percent of the swelling will have resolved. The reminder cna take up to 6 months to dissipate.
+1
Belly button piercings are usually removed with tummy tuck surgery
Part of a tummy tuck procedure usually involves reshaping the belly button. Piercings in this area can be removed at this time.
+1
Tummy tuck swelling can last 3 months but most gone by 6 weeks
Most of the swelling after a tummy tuck is gone by 6 weeks but some swelling will last 6 weeks.
Final results of any cosmetic plastic surgery however are not fully apparent until about a year.
Be certain that your doctor examines you and determines that you do not have a fluid collection called a seroma beneath the skin-this can cause unusual swelling after a tummy tuck.
+1
Swelling after tummy tuck
I tell patients three months on average. This is dependent on the extent of the surgery. Swelling can persist for up to a year. There is a tremendous improvement between 2 weeks post-op and three months post-op.
Jack Gelman, MD
Frankfort Plastic Surgeon
Frankfort Plastic Surgeon
+1
Swelling after surgery
Swelling after tummy tuck surgery varies from patient to patient but on average will last 3-6 months. Most likely, you will see the dramatic results sooner than 3-6 months but know that the swelling will continue to go down during that time period and therefore seeing the final result after 6 months.
+1
Most of the swelling after a tummy tuck is gone in one month.
Hi!
If surgery is done gently, and drains are used to prevent fluid accumulation, there really shouldn't be much swelling at any time. You can usually see a big improvement the next day.
Swelling is just microscopic collections of liquid in the tissues after surgery, which the body rapidly reabsorbs.
If you are asking about swelling at 3 weeks, it suggests you are not happy with the contour. If that's true, see your surgeon right away. Sometimes there are things (like a seroma) which can...
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