How Long Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Swelling Last?

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 stops fluid from migrating downwards.  The peak of the scar  tissue is about 12 weeks after surgery.  This can also be the peak of the puffiness.  As the scar tissue matures over 6 to 12 months the fluid in the lower abdomen can travel more normally  and the swelling diminishes. While most patients will see a dramatic decrease in swelling about 12 weeks after surgery, the swelling can even improve out to a year. 

Lastly, the final healing process of the tummy tuck is the abdominal wall stretching again as it decides how tight it can remain after muscle tightening.  Even after tightening, the abdominal wall will relax somewhat and find a new equilibrium. As one might expect slender people tend to stay flatter than people to carry more weight inside the abdomen.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

 

 

 

Hi, thank you for your question. 
Swelling after an abdominoplasty can last many months because your body will need to adjust to the changes that took place during the procedure. These changes affect the normal pathways that fluid takes on its way back to your circulation. Some of these pathways were disrupted during surgery and until secondary pathways can compensate for the amount of fluid generated, all of that fluid will manifest in swelling of your skin and subcutaneous tissues. 
As you begin to resume your normal activities, you will notice a significant improvement in the swelling. 
I hope this helps! Good luck in your recovery process. 

Some degree of swelling after tummy tuck can last up to a year.  Of course you will be more swollen for the first several months.  In fact, it is very important that you refrain from any vigorous physical activity for the first 2 months after tummy tuck.  At that point you can start exercising, but if anything you do results in swelling, you should wait on that activity.  As long as you stay behind this swelling curve, the surgery will continue to heal over the next 6 months.  People who try to push through the swelling almost always end up with prolonged healing and can compromise their outcome.  It is totally normal to be "larger" after tummy tuck for some time, and patients report they cannot fit into their old clothes.  Then, as the swelling goes down, there are remarkable transformations.  Just be patient, the swelling will resolve.

Swelling after a tummy tuck is completely normal and expected, especially in the first few weeks following surgery. Most of the swelling typically begins to go down within the first month, but some degree of swelling, especially in the lower abdomen, can persist for several months. You may notice that it fluctuates throughout the day, often being more pronounced by the evening. For most patients, the majority of the swelling resolves by about 3 to 4 months post-op, although it can take up to a year for all the swelling to fully subside. Wearing your compression garment as directed, staying active with light walking, and following all post-operative instructions can help speed up the recovery process. If you ever notice increased swelling, firmness, or asymmetry, be sure to let your surgeon know, just to rule out any complications like fluid collections.

Swelling after a tummy tuck is a normal part of the healing process and can vary in duration. Generally, the majority of swelling subsides within the first few weeks to a month. However, it's not uncommon for some degree of swelling to persist for several months after the procedure.

By three weeks, as in your case, you should have noticed a decrease in initial swelling, but it's normal to still have some present. The timeline for complete resolution of swelling can extend up to a year, with gradual improvements over this period.

Each person's recovery is unique, and factors like individual healing processes, the extent of the surgery, and adherence to postoperative care can influence the duration of swelling. For the most personalized advice, it's best to consult with your plastic surgeon, as they are familiar with your specific case and can provide guidance tailored to your recovery.

Depending on the extent of the procedure, the bruising is usually minimal in my patients, but swelling can last several months or more. That is normal. If there are any concerns, please reach out to your surgeon.